Your guide through the menopause

Gaining weight during menopause, especially around your belly, even though you haven't changed how you eat? That is very common. Why it happens, what genuinely helps and when it is worth getting checked.

Short fuse, tears over nothing, sudden anger you don't recognise? Mood swings are one of the most reported symptoms in menopause, and irritability often comes first. Usually temporary, and there is more you can do about it than you might think.

Less desire for sex, or suddenly more? Both happen during menopause, and both are normal. Read why your libido changes, how pain and dryness feed into it, and what actually helps.

More hair in your brush, a wider parting, a thinner ponytail? Hair loss belongs to menopause more often than you might think. Usually there is an explanation, and usually there is something you can do about it.

Flat in the morning, swollen and tight by evening? A bloated belly is one of the most reported digestive symptoms in menopause. Usually harmless, and there is often more you can do about it than you might think.

Osteoporosis causes no pain and gives no warning for years. Yet menopause is when you lose bone density fastest. Why it happens, who is most at risk and what actually protects your bones.

Trouble falling asleep, wide awake at 3am, or waking too early and never rested? Sleep problems are among the most reported menopause symptoms. Usually temporary, and there is more you can do than reach for a sleeping pill.

Suddenly flooded with heat, waking up drenched at 3am? Hot flushes and night sweats are the most common menopause symptoms. They often last longer than you expect, and there is more you can do about them than you might think.

A pounding, skipping or racing heart, often alongside hot flushes or at night? Palpitations are common in menopause and usually harmless. What's going on, what helps and when to get it checked.

More headaches than before, or migraine that suddenly gets worse? During menopause your hormones swing sharply, and that is exactly what sets attacks off. Why it happens, what helps and when to see a doctor.

Sleeping a full night and still waking up drained? Fatigue is one of the most reported menopause symptoms. Why the transition wipes out your energy, what helps, and when to get it checked.

Racing heart, worry with no obvious cause, sudden panic? Anxiety is one of the most reported mental symptoms in menopause, and for many women it is the first time. Often temporary, and there is more you can do about it than you might think.

Losing words mid-sentence, forgetting why you walked into a room, struggling to focus? Brain fog is one of the most reported menopause symptoms. Usually temporary, and there is more you can do about it than you might think.

Muscles that ache, feel stiff or recover more slowly after exercise? Muscle pain belongs to menopause more often than women expect. Why falling oestrogen plays a part, what your muscles need now and when to get it checked.

Itching, irritation or pain during sex in your (peri)menopause years? Vaginal dryness is one of the most under-treated menopause symptoms. It rarely clears up on its own, but there is a lot you can do about it.

Stiff fingers, sore knees, a shoulder that won't cooperate? Joint pain is one of the most reported menopause symptoms. It usually tracks with falling oestrogen, and there is more you can do about it than you might think.

Breaking out again on your jawline and chin, twenty years after your teens? Acne comes back more often in menopause than most women expect. Why your hormones change your skin, and what actually helps.