Menopause
Menopause
Menopause marks a major life milestone—the official end of your reproductive years, signalled by your final menstrual period.
Because bleeding can be so erratic in the lead-up, it’s only diagnosed in hindsight: once you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. That one day—the anniversary of your last period—is menopause. From that point on, you’re considered postmenopausal.
For most women, this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average around 51. But not everyone follows the same path. If your ovaries have been surgically removed (called surgical menopause), the 12-month waiting period doesn’t apply—menopause begins immediately. And for those using hormonal contraception, undergoing endometrial ablation, or who’ve had a hysterectomy, pinpointing your final ovulatory cycle may not be possible. In these cases, menopause is often diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history.
Menopause may mark a milestone, but it’s not the end of the story.
Many symptoms—like hot flashes, mood shifts, sleep issues, or vaginal dryness—often begin in perimenopause and continue after. For some, these ease as the body adapts to lower hormone levels; for others, they persist or even appear for the first time.
Although hormones are more stable post menopause, they remain low—and that can still impact things like bone density, cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity.
If your symptoms are ongoing or disruptive, Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) can still be a safe and effective option. With proper monitoring and ongoing risk assessment, many women continue therapy for as long as their symptoms require it.
This is especially true for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), which includes vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, and pain with sex. In these cases, vaginal hormone therapy—such as low-dose creams, tablets, or pessaries—can be used long-term and has an excellent safety profile.
At ALLY Health, we understand that menopause isn’t just about that single day—it’s a journey.
Whether you’re adjusting to lingering symptoms, need support for your sexual health, or want to stay ahead of long-term changes, our team is here with personalised, evidence-based care.
You don’t have to navigate this phase alone.
