Frequently Asked Questions

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life marking the end of menstruation, or more accurately, when the ovaries stop functioning. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age for menopause in Australian women being around 51 years. Menopause is defined as having occurred when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

This life stage is associated with fluctuating and eventually reduced levels of sex hormones, particularly oestrogen, which can lead to a range of symptoms. These symptoms can occur before (perimenopause) and after (postmenopause) the final menstrual period. For more information on the stages of menopause, check the “understanding menopause” page.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, typically lasting 4 to 8 years. During this time, a woman’s menstrual cycle may become increasingly irregular due to fluctuating hormone levels. This stage includes the time leading up to the final menstrual period and the first 12 months following it.

Menopause typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51 years. However, the age at which menopause begins can vary widely among women. The years leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, can start in a woman’s 40s and are characterised by fluctuating hormone levels and irregular menstrual cycles.

The majority of women who are in menopause experience symptoms which can range from hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and more. Check the menopause symptoms section of this site to learn more about the signs & symptoms of menopause.

On average, the total duration of the menopausal transition can last around 7 to 10 years. However, how long menopause lasts will depend on every individual and their personal experience, and it’s important to know that it occurs in three distinct, but connected phases: perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause and typically lasts for 4 to 8 years, ending when a woman has gone a full 12 months without a menstrual period.

Menopause itself is actually a point in time, rather than a period, marked by the 12th consecutive month without a menstrual period and signifying the end of egg production by the ovaries.

Post-menopause is the period after menopause, lasting for the rest of a woman’s life. 

Yes, menopause can affect your mood. The hormonal changes that occur during menopause, particularly the decline in oestrogen, can contribute to mood swings, irritability, low sex drive, anxiety, and even depression.

During perimenopause, when hormone levels are fluctuating, some women may experience increased emotional sensitivity or feelings of being overwhelmed. These mood changes can be further influenced by other menopausal symptoms like sleep disturbances, hot flushes, and the physical changes that accompany ageing.

Menopause can have a significant impact on sleep. Many women experience sleep disturbances during menopause, due to several factors linked to the hormonal changes occurring in the body.

One of the most common causes of sleep issues during menopause is vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. These symptoms can be triggered by fluctuating oestrogen levels, and can cause sudden feelings of heat and sweating that disrupt sleep.

The end of menopause is typically marked by a significant milestone: when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This point signals that the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing most of their oestrogen, and the woman is now in the post-menopausal stage of life.

It depends, if they’re not bothering you, then you may be fine without it. However, you shouldn’t have to suffer even “occasionally”. In fact, one of the reasons women use Remifemin is because it’s a hormone-free approach that is supported by clinical studies that demonstrated its effectiveness for managing symptoms of menopause, night sweats and hot flushes.

If you are worried about your symptoms though, make sure to talk to your doctor before starting any treatment.

There are several options available to help manage the symptoms of menopause, and the best approach can vary depending on your individual needs and health profile. It is always best to see your doctor for advice, but some options that may be discussed with you include lifestyle changes, such as exercise, diet, and stress-relieving techniques; prescription treatments, which include hormonal and non-hormonal treatments; vaginal treatments to help with symptoms of vaginal dryness; and natural, hormone-free approaches – such as Remifemin for hot flushes and night sweats.

Talk with your doctor to determine what’s best for you.