Menopause: The sign at night impacting many women – what you can do

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Most women will experience menopausal symptoms, and the NHS says some of these can be quite severe and have a significant impact on your everyday activities. If you’re experiencing symptoms of the menopause before 45 years of age, or the signs are troubling you, you should consider speaking to your GP.

The menopause is caused by a change in the balance of the body’s sex hormones, which occurs as you get older.

It happens when your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month.

The Office on Women’s Health says that “many women in menopause find it hard to sleep through the night”.

It notes: “Low levels of progesterone can make it hard to fall and stay asleep. Low oestrogen levels can also cause hot flashes that make you sweat while you sleep.”

It adds: “This is sometimes called night sweats. Many menopausal women get urinary symptoms that make them get up several times during sleep to urinate. You may also feel more tired than usual during the day.”

It suggests that one of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to “get regular physical activity” but too much activity close to bedtime “can make you more awake”.

It adds: “Even if you have not exercised regularly in the past, starting to exercise during menopause may help you feel better. Studies show that certain exercises, such as yoga and stretching, may help improve hot flashes.”

Alongside hot flushes, other symptoms include night sweats, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, difficulty sleeping, low mood or anxiety and loss of libido.

There are also some less common symptoms that some women experience, including hair loss or brittle nails.

The NHS explains that about eight in every 10 women will have additional symptoms, alongside period changes, for some time before and after their periods stop.

It notes: “On average, most symptoms last around four years from your last period. However, around one in every 10 women experience them for up to 12 years.”

The NHS says: “It’s worth talking to a GP if you have menopausal symptoms that are troubling you or if you’re experiencing symptoms of the menopause before 45 years of age.”

A GP can usually confirm whether you’re menopausal based on your symptoms, but a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you’re under 45.

Women can start perimenopause at various ages, with most women beginning to experience the symptoms of perimenopause in their mid-40s.

The National Institute on Ageing says: “Deciding whether and how to treat the symptoms of menopausal transition can be complicated and personal.”

It advises that you discuss your symptoms, family and medical history, and preferences with your doctor.

For those who are finding it difficult to cope with menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is by far the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Used in a variety of forms it works by “topping up” oestrogen levels that have declined and in turn reduces the effect of symptoms.

For those who cannot take HRT due to other medical reasons, non-medical therapies and healthy lifestyle changes have also made a positive effect on symptoms.

This includes maintaining a healthy and balanced diet and regularly exercising.

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