Menopause Is More Than Hot Flushes

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Menopause is often spoken about as a single moment in time, but for most women it is a gradual transition that unfolds over many years. The peri-menopause (the years leading up to menopause) and the post-menopause phase can bring physical, emotional, and hormonal changes that are significant - and too often overlooked.

While hot flushes and night sweats are well-known symptoms, they are only part of the picture. Many women experience:

• Changes in sleep quality and persistent fatigue

• Mood changes, anxiety, or low mood

• Brain fog, memory or concentration difficulties

• Weight gain or changes in body composition

• Joint aches and muscle pain

• Changes in libido and vaginal or urinary symptoms

Because these changes often develop gradually, they are frequently attributed to stress, ageing, or life circumstances, rather than recognised as part of the menopausal transition.

Long-Term Health Risks Change After Menopause

Falling oestrogen levels affect far more than the reproductive system. After menopause, a woman’s risk profile changes, particularly in relation to:

• Heart disease – risk increases and may approach that of men

• Bone health – accelerated bone loss increases osteoporosis and fracture risk

• Metabolic health – changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar

• Urogenital health – bladder, pelvic floor, and vaginal health changes

Early Support Makes a Real Difference

The goal is not to “medicalise” a natural life stage, it’s to:

• understand what’s changing in your body,

• identify risks early, and

• support long-term health and quality of life.

Addressing menopausal changes early can improve day-to-day wellbeing and reduce long-term health risks. Small, timely interventions, whether lifestyle changes, targeted treatments, or simple reassurance - can have a meaningful impact.

Just as we routinely check blood pressure or cholesterol, menopause deserves the same proactive approach.

Taking the Next Step

If you are in your 40s or beyond, experiencing new or unexplained symptoms, or simply want to better understand your health as you move through this life stage, a peri or post-menopause health check is potentially a valuable investment in your future wellbeing.

Menopause is not something to “push through” silently. With the right support and information, this stage of life can be approached with confidence, clarity, and good health.

A structured health check can help separate what is normal, what is treatable, and what may need further investigation and allows risks to be assessed early, often before symptoms appear.  Importantly, it is a space to talk openly - many women have never had the opportunity to discuss menopause in a focused, unhurried consultation.

Want to find out more?

Book a complimentary* 30 minute peri/post menopause health check today, either online (select the ‘peri/post menopause health check’) from the appointment types, (https://www.ripponleamedical.com.au/bookings) or call the clinic on 95310004

* Conditions apply.  This information is general in nature and is not intended to replace individual medical advice. A peri- or post-menopause health check is designed to support understanding and prevention, and to assist you in making informed decisions.

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