Private Menopause Clinic Manchester

Menopause is a normal life stage - it just means your periods have naturally come to an end. Doctors usually say you’ve reached menopause once you’ve gone 12 months without a period, which often happens between the ages of 45 and 55.

It’s not an illness, but the drop in hormones - especially estrogen—can bring some changes that affect how you feel, both physically and emotionally.

Early signs (often called perimenopause) can include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep problems. Some women also notice vaginal dryness or changes in sex drive.

The transition varies. Perimenopause (the years leading upto menopause) can last 4-8 years. Once your periods have stopped for 12 months, you’re considered to be in menopause. Symptoms may ease over time, but some (like hot flashes or sleep issues) can last several years.

There isn’t a single test that can always confirm menopause. Most doctors make the diagnosis based on your age, medical history  and symptoms—such as irregular or missed periods, hot flashes, or night sweats. In some cases, especially for women under 45, a blood test to measure hormone levels (like FSH) may be used, but results can vary. The most reliable sign of menopause is having gone 12 months without a period.

No. Perimenopause is the transition leading up-to menopause, when hormone levels start changing and symptoms begin. Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a period.

Yes. Lower estrogen levels can increase the risk of osteoporosis (weaker bones) and heart disease. That’s why diet, exercise and regular health checks are especially important during and after menopause.

During menopause, pregnancy is still possible because ovulation can occur even with irregular cycles. Once you’ve gone 12 months without a period, natural pregnancy is no longer possible.

In the UK, the average age for menopause is 51. Most women reach menopause between 45 and 55, when their periods stop because their oestrogen levels fall. Symptoms often begin earlier, during perimenopause, which usually starts in the mid-40s and can last several years.

Seek advice if you're under 45 and your periods have become irregular or stopped, or if menopausal symptoms are affecting your daily life at any age. You can speak to your GP, or book a private menopause consultation with one of our consultant gynaecologists, with no referral needed. We'll review your symptoms, run targeted blood tests and talk you through treatment options, including whether HRT is right for you. For those with early or premature menopause, treatment can also help protect long-term bone and heart health.