Dr Philippa Kaye At 49, Camille had been struggling for about two years and came to me at the end of her tether, saying she felt she was falling apart. Her periods stopped when she was 48 but she had not realised her numerous symptoms were symptoms of menopause. Menopause symptoms We went through a check list of menopause symptoms and, although the stresses of pandemic may have contributed to some of her symptoms, the hormone changes of perimenopause and menopause may also be involved.
As she is over the age of 45 no blood tests were required for diagnosis – perimenopause can be diagnosed over the age of 45 on symptoms alone, and as she hadn’t had a period for over a year she had gone through the menopause. Camille had heard stories about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – friends had told her it causes breast cancer, or blood clots and that the menopause was natural and everyone just had to “get through it”. While menopause is indeed a natural process (unless it is induced with medication or surgery) that does not mean that you just have to struggle on.
There are lots of treatment options available, including non-hormonal options if you prefer. The benefits of HRT can be significant For many women the symptoms of menopause are disabling and impact on their quality of life. HRT enables them to continue working, having relationships and functioning as they wish too! In the longer term HRT decreases risk of developing osteoporosis, and may also protect against osteoa.