The advice below is general advice. For any specific tailored advice relevant to any health conditions, please talk to your health professional.
Where are you on your Menopause Journey?
Use the Everee Women™ symptom tracker to navigate your journey.
Menopause is a journey, moving through the stages of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
How do I know where I am on my Menopause Journey?
The way to determine where you are on your menopause journey is by tracking menstrual cycle patterns and symptoms. Age is also a factor, and most women will become naturally menopausal between the ages of 45 and 55 years (1).
The symptoms of menopause are experienced in the perimenopause stage 2–10 years before the last menstrual period. Symptoms are caused by fluctuations in the sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Around 80% of women will experience symptoms during perimenopause, and they are likely to change as you move from the early to the advanced stages.
Twelve months after your last menstrual period (menopause), you become post-menopausal. Hormone levels return to pre-puberty levels and most symptoms will subside (1).
What changes will I experience in my menstrual cycle during Perimenopause?
If you notice irregular periods or changes in flow, this can be an indicator that menopause is underway (1). Changes in menstrual cycle patterns are experienced by women not on birth control.
In early perimenopause, cycles may vary by at least seven days. In later perimenopause, cycles may extend beyond 60 days, with missed periods until menopause is complete (2).
Tracking your cycle using a journal, fitness app, or menstrual tracking app can be helpful. One popular option is Balance by Newson Health.
Useful details to track include start date, duration, flow heaviness, and any mid-cycle spotting. If you experience heavy or concerning changes, visit your GP.
What are the other symptoms of Perimenopause?
Alongside menstrual changes, many women experience a range of symptoms (3). While the list can feel overwhelming, it’s important to remember you won’t experience all of them.
Symptoms may come and go due to fluctuating hormone levels, which can make this stage feel unpredictable.
The list below shows some of the more common symptoms:
- Hot flushes and night sweats
- Brain fog, lack of concentration, memory issues
- Mood changes – depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, rage
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Insomnia and sleep issues
- Joint pain, onset osteoarthritis
- Muscle aches, loss of muscle (sarcopenia)
- Headaches, migraines
- Eyesight changes, dry eyes
- Weight gain, redistribution of weight to trunk and waist
- IBS, bloating, constipation
- Vaginal dryness, pain during sex
- Loss of libido
- Recurrent UTIs, overactive bladder, incontinence
- Breast pain
- Dry skin, acne, itching or crawling skin sensations
- Racing heart, palpitations
To help track symptoms, download the Everee Women™ symptom tracker .
Tracking patterns can help identify triggers and provide useful information for GP appointments. You can read more in our article Embrace Perimenopause.
Are Menopause testing kits any good?
Menopause testing kits measure hormones such as FSH and oestrogen via urine, blood, or saliva. Due to fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause, these tests are not reliable or recommended.
Medical professionals do not use hormone testing to diagnose menopause (1).
I think I’m through Menopause, what happens now?
If you haven’t had a menstrual period for 12 months, you are now post-menopausal. Medical menopause can also occur after ovary removal or cancer treatment (1).
In early post-menopause, some symptoms may ease. Over time, others may disappear or become your new normal, with many women feeling more settled (1).
For many women, post-menopause marks a new beginning and a chance to reassess lifestyle and plan for ageing well.
Now I know my Menopause stage, what should I do next?
We recommend booking a midlife GP check-up to discuss symptoms, health changes, and possible treatments. Christchurch-based GP Dr Sarah Marr suggests booking a double appointment to allow enough time.
Lifestyle changes and natural supports can also play a valuable role.
Explore more practical guidance in our Women’s Wisdom Blog.
Look out for next week’s instalment exploring body changes in post-menopause and how to support this stage of your journey.
