Natural menopause
Natural menopause happens as part of the normal ageing process, typically between ages 45 and 55. It’s diagnosed once you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, and it’s not caused by surgery or illness.1
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Menopause is a major turning point in a woman’s life. It's not just the end of periods, but a whole-body transition that can affect your mood, memory, sleep, skin, and more. It's driven by a gradual decline in oestradiol (a form of oestrogen), which typically begins in your 40s and continues beyond your final period. This shift can bring a range of physical and emotional changes, from sleep disruption and brain fog to mood changes and hot flushes.1
While conversations around menopause are improving, it’s still not always clear where to turn for support or reliable information. That’s why we’re here: to help you understand what’s happening in your body, explore your hormone health, and access resources when you need them.
Why are you going through menopause?
Menopause, defined as having no periods for 12 consecutive months, is a natural, age-related process driven by a gradual decline in the hormones that support the reproductive system, primarily oestrogen, but also progesterone and testosterone. These hormones play a vital role in various bodily functions like bone strength, brain function, mood regulation, and body temperature control.1
As you age, the number of egg-containing follicles in your ovaries decreases. With fewer follicles, hormone production begins to slow. The body attempts to compensate by increasing levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but over time, the ovaries become less responsive, ovulation stops, and periods come to an end. Consequently, symptoms like hot flushes, sleep disruption, and longer-term changes like reduced bone density can arise.1
What causes menopause?
Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycles and fertility. While for many women it happens naturally in their 40s or 50s, others may experience it earlier due to medical or environmental reasons.
Surgical menopause
When both ovaries are removed (often to treat or prevent cancer), hormone production stops suddenly. This triggers immediate menopause symptoms, regardless of age.2
Removing just one ovary (unilateral oophorectomy) doesn’t cause menopause but may bring it on slightly earlier.2
Medication-induced menopause
Some cancer treatments can damage the ovaries, either temporarily or permanently, reducing or stopping hormone production. This can trigger menopause earlier than expected.3
Medical conditions
Diseases like Addison’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Grave’s disease can cause your immune system to mistakenly attack your ovaries, thereby inducing menopause early.5
Environmental exposure
Smoking is one of the most well-known environmental triggers for early menopause. Other factors like pesticides and phthalates (found in plastics and some cosmetics) may also disrupt hormones and speed up menopause.5
Diagnosing menopause
Understanding whether you’re going through menopause isn’t always straightforward, especially when symptoms begin gradually, often years before your periods stop. Speaking with a clinician about what you’re experiencing can offer valuable clarity. While menopause is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and life stage, a simple blood test can provide helpful insight into your hormone levels and support more informed conversations about what’s happening in your body.
Treating menopause
Managing menopause isn’t about treating a condition, but about supporting the symptoms that come with hormonal changes, so you can feel more like yourself again. A clinician can help you understand your symptoms and explore the full range of support options. While Numan doesn’t currently offer HRT prescriptions, we can help you monitor your hormone levels and find the best treatment option for you, be it hormonal or non-hormonal.
MEET THE TEAM
Our women’s health experts come from a wide range of clinical and academic backgrounds, having worked with leading healthcare organisations across the UK and globally. Now part of Numan, they bring that same level of excellence to women’s care, combining deep expertise with new research to develop evidence-based treatments tailored to your unique needs.
Danielle Brightman
Director of Clinical Product
MPharm PgDip PCert
Shivani Sharma-Savani
Prescribing Lead
MPharm PGCert PCert IP
Dr Luke Pratsides
Head of Medical
MBBS MSc MRCGP MFCI
Mo Dekmak
Clinician
MPharm PGDip IPresc
I’m currently experiencing menopause, which has caused me to gain significant weight. I tried dieting and other medications with little or no effect.I can honestly say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I can see my weight steadily decreasing and my energy levels increasing. I’ve been so impressed with Numan’s service.
I went through menopause and gained a lot of weight during lockdown because of bad habits and hormonal changes. I walk whenever I can now. If there's an option between stairs and an escalator, I take the stairs. It's amazing because I'm 56 and I pass by 30-year-olds who go for the escalator. I’ve gone from focusing on what I can’t do, which was an ever-increasing list, to focusing on what I can do.
I recently underwent a blood test and I found it pretty straightforward to do. The results came back within a couple of days. I’m impressed and would do it again.
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