Irregular, light or heavy periods

One of the most common signs of approaching the menopause is change in regularity or flow of periods.

Tips and treatments

• Always have a small supply of tampons or sanitary towels in your handbag so you're never caught out
• Remember that these symptoms can be caused by other conditions such as fibroids so it's a good idea to mention it to your GP

Hot flushes and night sweats

This is the most common symptom of the menopause, affecting around 8 in 10 women.

It feels like a wave of heat passing over the body. You may feel hot one minute and shivery the next. The skin may redden or you may sweat more, especially at night (so called 'night sweats'). The intensity of hot flushes is different for every woman and some women also experience 'crawling' sensations on the skin.

On average, flushes occur four or five times a day and usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

It's hard to predict how long they will last. You may have them for only a few months, or they may go on for years. A quarter to half of women still have hot flushes five years after the menopause.

Tips and treatments

• Hot flushes can be triggered by things like stress, caffeine, spicy foods, hot drinks or alcohol. Obviously, it's best to avoid the things that trigger your hot flushes.
• If you think stress is one of your triggers why not look into aromatherapy or other therapies that might help you to control your stress.
• Breathe deeply and relax when you have a hot flush.
• Women who smoke tend to suffer more from hot flushes, another good reason to give up smoking.
• Choose light layers of clothing that can be easily taken off and put back on with changes in temperature.
• Cotton is good at absorbing perspiration and still keeping you warm after a flush has passed.
• Choose cotton sheets and have several layers so you can adjust your bedding depending on how hot you feel, sleep in a cool room.
• You may have to sleep in a separate room every now and then to enable your partner to have an undisturbed night.
• Try using sprays or moist wipes to help lower your skin temperature (you could add oils to the spray, such as peppermint which has cooling properties or lavender to help you relax).
• Try to avoid warm or stuffy rooms. Carry a traditional or battery-operated fan to keep you cool.