Our customers love us!
We are proud of the high standard of customer service we deliver and our customers love us so much they give our service a 98% rating. That’s pretty close to perfect!
Read some of our customer ratingsThe menopause is a natural process women go through and it is a normal part of life. It can also be a daunting and confusing experience for many women who are unsure if their symptoms are menopausal or even normal. Here at A.Vogel Talks Menopause, our menopause expert Eileen Durward explains what the menopause is, offers solutions to the symptoms and reassures us that we can get through the menopause naturally.
The menopause is the natural process women go through as they reach a certain age and is a normal part of life.
The first use of the term “menopause” is said to have been in 17th Century France. However, it is only relatively recently that there has been general awareness of menopause as a concept – 100 years ago, life expectancy was much shorter and few women lived long enough to experience it. Those who did were most likely the wealthy elite who would never dream of speaking about such matters anyway.
The word “menopause” is derived from Greek – mĕn or menos meaning “month” and pausis meaning “to stop”. This fits in very well with the medical definition of menopause, which is defined as the point when monthly periods, or menstruation, finally stops.
However, periods rarely just suddenly disappear in the menopause. Typically, the odd one might be missed or arrive late; periods may become heavier and less regular before ceasing completely.
This change in the normal pattern of the menstrual cycle may be accompanied by psychological symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, lowering of self-confidence as well as hot flushes and night sweats. These, and other menopausal symptoms, may be experienced for a few months or years.
Many people describe this phase as ‘going through the menopause’, ‘the change’ or ‘the change of life’. Scientifically, it is referred to as the peri-menopause – the period leading up to the menopause.
This is a common question without a simple answer. Women may experience menopausal symptoms for some time before their final menstrual period (peri-menopause) and also, for some time after.
Many women go through the menopause experiencing a minimum of symptoms, coping well without the need for any treatment. However, others find that the menopausal symptoms experienced affect their quality of life and seek help and advice.
To understand what happens during the menopause, it will be helpful to know how monthly periods come about before one reaches the menopause. Follow our link to read more information on the menstrual cycle.
Before the menopause (and after puberty), a woman typically releases an egg each month. This process is controlled by a small gland in the brain, called the pituitary gland.
The older we become, the less fit we are and bearing a child later in life has higher risks for both mother and child. Nature recognises this and our genes are programmed in such a way that, when a woman reaches a certain point in her life, her body says that it is not wise to produce any more eggs.
When this happens, the hormones produced by the pituitary gland decline. This signals to the ovaries that eggs are no longer required and ovulation stops. The previously regular cycle of thickening and shedding of the lining of the womb is no longer required and periods stop. Levels of progesterone and oestrogen fall.
So biologically, menopause marks the end of the fertile period in a woman’s life and helps serve the purpose of ensuring that a woman bearing a child is fit to do so.
Changes in hormone levels during the menopause lead directly and indirectly to a wide variety of symptoms. The most common are hot flushes and night sweats, probably caused by hormonal changes altering the way the body perceives heat.
Although all women will go through the menopause, there is no fixed or standard experience that can be described.
However the menopause affects you, one thing must be remembered – the menopause is not an illness but a natural process which your body has to go through once you reach a certain age.
The menopause is sometimes thought of negatively, partly because it is associated with becoming older. However, there are some benefits to the menopause.
Need help to change your menopause for the better? My FREE 7-day plan will provide you with the information, support and advice you need as well as a FREE sample of Menopause Support.
"I started taking the sample pack, definitely felt more in control emotionally and had more energy in a couple of days." Jenny, UK
Menopause Support can provide support to the body through all stages of the Menopause but is especially useful when broad range of symptoms such as hot flushes, irritability, tiredness, pains and aches, vaginal dryness etc kick in.
A herbal dietary supplement containing soy isoflavones, magnesium and hibiscus extract for all stages of the menopause.
TIP: Read why so many women recommend Menopause Support for before, during & after the menopause
We are proud of the high standard of customer service we deliver and our customers love us so much they give our service a 98% rating. That’s pretty close to perfect!
Read some of our customer ratingsGreat tasting recipes to nourish the body from the inside out this winter.
Let's get cookingEchinaforce® is our must-have remedy for the approaching cold & flu season. It's never too early to stock up!
Get yours nowIncreasing your vitamin C intake now will help strengthen your immune system for the arrival of cold & flu season
Up your Vitamin CDiscover the story of Alfred VogelNature is just about the best thing we’ve got!
119 Comments
Add your comments
Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.
51-

Trina Boland — 09.03.2018 20:24
Do sage tablets help with energy
show
-

eileen — 12.03.2018 10:33
Hi Trina
They may do indirectly. Some women find that getting a lot of flushes and/or night sweats can cause fatigue so if you decrease or stop the flushes that may have a positive effect on your energy levels. However, if you feel really fatigued all the time it may be a good idea to check with your doctor. Low iron, low thyroid function and low vitamin D can often creep into the menopause and cause fatigue. Your doctor can test for these just to rule them out.
-

Sally Revell — 29.09.2017 14:54
Can these remedies be taken if you have had breast cancer?
Also whilst taking Tamoxifen?
show
-

eileen — 03.10.2017 07:42
Hi Sally
Menopause Support is not recommended in this situation, sorry, however, you could discuss taking sage with your doctor if you are experiencing hot flushes/night sweats.
-

Emma — 21.09.2017 20:25
Hi I'm only 39 but these last two periods have been very different I started when I was 8 years old I've been in a lot of pain and even when I've not been on my period I get the odd pain down below which I've never had but this month I've been very emotional bursting into tears for no reason and hot flushes and sweats which I never get is this a sign of menopause please help
show
-

EILEEN — 22.09.2017 09:17
Hi Emma
39 is still a little young to be starting the menopause, although it can happen, especially if other close female relatives started around the same time. Smoking, obesity, ethnic origin and some chronic health issues can cause an early menopause too.
However, your symptoms could be due to other factors such as stress, low iron levels, low vitamin D or low thyroid function, so it is best to get this checked by your doctor. They may also be able to test your sex hormone levels and that would give you a good idea as to what is happening.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply