Menopause – Let’s Break the Silence

By Dr. Madiha Chowdhury | Health columnist

There are some consultations that stay with you—not because the diagnosis is complicated, but because of the relief on a patient’s face when they finally realise they’re not alone.

One conversation I have almost every week is about menopause.

It often begins with the words, “Doctor, I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”

The woman sitting opposite me may be in her forties or fifties. She tells me she’s exhausted despite sleeping—or perhaps she’s not sleeping at all. She’s become forgetful, anxious or unusually emotional. She’s lost confidence, struggles to concentrate, or simply doesn’t recognise the person she’s become. Many worry that something more serious is wrong. Some have seen several healthcare professionals before anyone has suggested that menopause could be the cause.

As a GP, one of the most rewarding moments is seeing the relief when someone realises there’s an explanation for what they’re experiencing—and, more importantly, that help is available.

Breaking the Silence

Although menopause is talked about more openly today than it was even a few years ago, for many women it remains a difficult subject.

In some families and cultures, menopause—or women’s health more generally—is rarely discussed. In others, women are told it’s simply something they have to endure as they get older. Many have grown up believing that talking about symptoms is somehow embarrassing or that asking for help is making a fuss.

Here in our diverse community, I see women from many different backgrounds who have struggled in silence because they didn’t realise their symptoms could be related to menopause, or because they felt they should simply “get on with it.”

The reality is very different. Menopause is a natural stage of life—but suffering through it shouldn’t be.

Understanding Menopause

Menopause is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period, but the years leading up to it, known as perimenopause, can begin several years earlier. During this time, hormone levels fluctuate and symptoms often appear.

The average age of menopause in the UK is around 51, although it can happen earlier naturally or after certain medical treatments. Women who experience menopause before the age of 45, or premature ovarian insufficiency before 40, should seek medical advice, as treatment can be particularly important for long-term health.

Could It Be Menopause?

While hot flushes and night sweats are well known, they’re only part of the picture.

Common symptoms include:

• Hot flushes and night sweats
• Poor sleep and fatigue
• Brain fog and memory problems
• Anxiety, low mood or irritability
• Loss of confidence
• Joint and muscle aches
• Vaginal dryness
• Reduced libido
• Palpitations
• Changes in bladder symptoms or recurrent urinary infections

Every woman’s experience is different. Some notice very few changes, while others find their symptoms affect their work, relationships and quality of life.

You Don’t Have to Put Up With It

One of the most important parts of being a GP is listening. Not every symptom is caused by menopause, and it’s important to consider other possible causes too. But menopause should never be overlooked when the symptoms fit.

The good news is that help is available.

Simple lifestyle measures—regular exercise, particularly strength training, eating a balanced diet, reducing alcohol, stopping smoking and improving sleep—can all make a real difference.

For many women, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can be highly effective in relieving symptoms. For most healthy women under 60, or within ten years of menopause, the benefits often outweigh the risks, although treatment should always be tailored to the individual. There are also effective non-hormonal treatments available for women who cannot or choose not to take HRT.

Looking Beyond Menopause

Menopause is also an opportunity to think about future health.

As oestrogen levels fall, the risk of osteoporosis (bone thinning) and cardiovascular disease gradually increases. Staying active, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight and attending NHS Health Checks when invited can all help protect your health for years to come.

Changing the Conversation

Menopause isn’t just a women’s issue. Partners, families, friends and employers all benefit from understanding what women may be experiencing. A little knowledge often leads to a great deal more compassion.

Improving women’s health is something I care deeply about, both in my consulting room and across our local community. Alongside caring for patients, I’m privileged to be involved in educating healthcare professionals, contributing to our local NHS Women’s Health Strategy and championing greater awareness of menopause. My hope is that by improving understanding within healthcare, workplaces and our communities we can ensure more women feel listened to, receive timely, evidence-based care and know they don’t have to struggle in silence.

Where to Find Reliable Information

If you’d like to learn more, trusted sources include the NHS, Women’s Health Concern, the British Menopause Society, and Balance Menopause, all of which provide clear, evidence-based advice for women and their families.

A Final Thought

Women today are living longer than ever before, and many will spend around a third of their lives after menopause. This stage of life should be viewed not as an ending, but as another chapter—one where health, confidence and wellbeing remain just as important as ever.

If there is one message I’d like readers to take away, it is this: don’t suffer in silence.

Whether you’ve grown up in a family where menopause was never discussed, come from a culture where it remains a taboo subject, or have simply been told it’s something women have to put up with, help is available. If your symptoms are affecting your work, your relationships or your enjoyment of everyday life, speak to your GP or another healthcare professional.

By talking openly about menopause, we can replace misunderstanding with knowledge, stigma with support and silence with compassion. Every conversation matters, and no woman should have to navigate menopause alone.

Until next time, stay well. If there’s a health topic you’d like me to cover in a future edition of GP’s Corner, I’d be delighted to hear your suggestions.

Menopause Myth or Fact?

Myth: Menopause only causes hot flushes.
Fact: It can affect sleep, mood, memory, joints, bladder health and much more.

Myth: It’s just something women have to put up with.
Fact: There are effective treatments and support available.

Myth: HRT is unsafe for everyone.
Fact: For most healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits outweigh the risks. Decisions should always be individual.