Short, sourced definitions of common menopause terms, from perimenopause to hormone tests. Each term can be read on its own and links to the related Discover article for more detail.
Premenopause is the term for the time before menopause; sources use it in broader or narrower senses. The Menopause Society counts the reproductive years from the first period to perimenopause as premenopause. MeSH, the NIH's medical vocabulary, describes it as the period before menopause and notes that in premenopausal women the transition to the end of the ovarian cycle takes place between the late thirties and the early fifties.
Perimenopause is the transition before periods stop completely. The oestrogen and progesterone made by the ovaries fluctuate as they decline; cycles may become irregular and symptoms such as hot flushes may begin. It usually starts in the 40s and can last several years. According to the World Health Organization, it runs from the first changes until the end of the first year after the final period.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you think you have perimenopause symptoms and want to talk about your options, if you have palpitations, or if you still have periods and your bleeding is getting heavier rather than lighter.
Menopause is the permanent end of menstrual periods; it is considered to have happened after 12 months in a row without a period and with no other cause. The release of eggs and the production of oestrogen by the ovaries decline substantially. Natural menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55; women reach it at different ages, and the average age in the US is 52.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you have any vaginal bleeding, even a little, 12 months or more after your last period.
Postmenopause is the stage that begins once menopause has happened, 12 months after the last period, and lasts for the rest of life. Oestrogen levels stay low during this time. According to the NIA, part of the NIH, women become more prone to conditions such as heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis after menopause, and for many women hot flushes can continue for years.
The climacteric is the physiological period of hormonal and bodily changes that accompany the end of ovarian function in women. This definition is based on MeSH, the NIH's medical vocabulary. In MeSH, menopause is a subheading of the climacteric, and premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause sit under menopause. In other words, the climacteric is the broadest term, covering all of these stages.
Early menopause is when periods stop before the age of 45; if this happens before 40, it is called premature menopause. It can happen on its own, or be caused by surgery to remove the ovaries or by treatments for other conditions, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In people with menopause symptoms before 45, a doctor may ask for a blood test to make the diagnosis.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if your periods become less frequent or stop before the age of 45 and you have menopause symptoms.
Also known as: primary ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure
Premature ovarian insufficiency is when the ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40. Periods often become infrequent or stop, and getting pregnant may become harder. The NIH notes that this is not the same as early menopause. According to NICE, it is diagnosed from symptoms together with raised FSH levels in two blood samples taken 4–6 weeks apart.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if your periods become less frequent or stop before the age of 40.
Surgical menopause is menopause that starts when both ovaries are removed in an operation; periods and the ovaries' hormone production end with the surgery. Removing only the womb ends periods but does not cause menopause as long as the ovaries remain. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also cause early menopause.
A hot flush is a sudden, intense feeling of heat that spreads across the face, neck and chest; it may come with sweating, palpitations or dizziness and can last a few minutes. Those that happen at night are called night sweats, and the two together are known as vasomotor symptoms. They are among the common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause; how often they happen and how strong they are varies from person to person.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If hot flushes affect your sleep or daily life, you can talk to your doctor about the options.
Night sweats are episodes of sweating during sleep that are heavy enough to soak your nightclothes and bedding; in menopause, night sweats are hot flushes that happen at night. According to the NHS, menopause is one of the common causes; anxiety, some antidepressants, steroids and painkillers, low blood sugar, alcohol and a condition that causes excessive sweating can also lead to night sweats.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if night sweats regularly wake you up or worry you, if they come with a high temperature, a cough or diarrhoea, or if you are losing weight for no reason.
Palpitations are when your heartbeat becomes noticeable and uncomfortable; the heart can feel as if it is racing, irregular, pounding or fluttering. According to the NHS, palpitations can sometimes be a sign of going through the menopause, and hot flushes can also cause them. Palpitations are common and usually not a sign of anything serious; iron deficiency anaemia, an overactive thyroid or a heart rhythm problem can also cause them.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Get emergency help if the palpitations do not go away or come with chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling faint or fainting. See a doctor if they keep coming back or happen more often, last longer than a few minutes, or if you have a heart condition or a family history of heart problems.
In menopause, sleep problems mean difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; the NHS lists them among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Not getting enough sleep can affect daily life and leave a person feeling irritable and anxious. Night sweats can make sleep problems worse. If sleep problems go on for a long time, their causes should be discussed with a doctor.
Mood changes are the sudden emotional ups and downs, low spirits and feelings of despondency that can occur during the menopause transition. The NHS lists mood swings, low mood and depression among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Sleep problems and marked tiredness can make these symptoms worse. As hot flushes ease, low mood and anxiety may take their place.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if low mood lasts for weeks or affects your daily life.
Brain fog is an everyday expression for forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and a feeling that your thinking has become cloudy; it is not a medical diagnosis. The NHS lists problems with memory and concentration among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Because these problems can have other causes too, it is important to talk to a doctor if the symptoms continue or get worse.
Headaches and migraines can be worse than usual during perimenopause and menopause; the NHS lists them among the symptoms of menopause and calls headaches during menopause hormone headaches. According to The Menopause Society, migraine is a moderate to severe throbbing pain that is usually worse on one side of the head and made worse by physical activity; it may come with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if a headache does not get better or gets worse despite what you have tried yourself, or if you get headaches often. Get emergency help for a very severe headache that starts suddenly, or if a headache comes with numbness or weakness in the face or body, difficulty speaking or confusion.
Joint pain covers the muscle and joint aches that can occur during the menopause transition. The NHS lists muscle aches and joint pains among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, and notes that joint pain can continue after menopause. Because joint pain has many causes besides menopause, pain that lasts or gets worse should be assessed by a doctor.
Weight gain in menopause is an increase in body weight during perimenopause and menopause. According to the NHS, weight gain is common at this time and often happens around the stomach and upper body. The World Health Organization also notes that menopause can affect body composition and cardiovascular risk. The NHS recommends a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise during this time.
Hair thinning is when hair becomes sparser or falls out; the NHS lists it among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. The Menopause Society defines thinning of the hair on the scalp in midlife women as androgenetic alopecia. According to the NHS, losing between 50 and 100 hairs a day is normal; hair loss is usually nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes be a sign of a medical condition.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you are worried about your hair loss.
Dry and itchy skin refers to the skin drying out and itching during the menopause transition; the NHS lists dry and itchy skin among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. According to The Menopause Society, some women in perimenopause have irritating sensations on the skin, ranging from severe itching to a feeling of ants crawling on the skin; this is called formication. Because itching can have other causes too, itching that lasts or gets worse should be assessed by a doctor.
Low sex drive means having less interest in and desire for sex than before; the NHS lists it among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. According to the NHS, there can be many reasons for a lower sex drive around the menopause, including relationship difficulties, how you feel about yourself and physical discomfort. Vaginal dryness and pain during sex can also affect your sex life.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If a lower sex drive bothers you, you can talk to your doctor about the options.
In perimenopause, irregular periods are changes in how often periods come or how heavy the bleeding is; according to the NHS, this is often the first sign of perimenopause. Periods may come more or less often, bleeding may get heavier or lighter, and eventually periods stop. The Menopause Society counts bleeding that is abnormal in frequency, amount or duration as abnormal uterine bleeding and distinguishes it from the normal irregularity of perimenopause.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you still have periods and your bleeding is getting heavier rather than lighter, if you bleed between periods or after sex, or if your period lasts longer than usual.
Postmenopausal bleeding is bleeding from the vagina after menopause; according to the NHS, menopause is usually diagnosed in women over 45 who have not had a period for more than a year. The most common causes include thinning of the vaginal lining or the womb lining due to low oestrogen, polyps, which are mostly not cancerous, and a thickened womb lining. It is usually not serious, but it is important to get it checked because it can be a sign of cancer.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you have any bleeding from the vagina after menopause, even if it is only a small amount or has happened only once.
The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the womb and changes during the menstrual cycle. Progesterone released after ovulation prepares this lining to receive a fertilised egg; if pregnancy does not happen, hormone levels fall and a period begins. According to the NHS, the womb lining can become thinner when oestrogen falls after menopause, while hormone therapy, high oestrogen levels or being overweight can make it thicker, and this thickening can lead to womb cancer.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you have any bleeding from the vagina after menopause, even a small amount.
Oestrogen is the shared name for a group of hormones that play a key role in women's reproductive health; besides the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause, they also affect bone and muscle health. In the reproductive years the main type is oestradiol (E2), made mostly in the ovaries. According to MedlinePlus, oestrone (E1) is the only type the body keeps making after menopause, when oestrogen levels fall markedly.
HOW IS THE RESULT INTERPRETED?
A healthy oestrogen level depends on your age, the type of oestrogen measured, the reason for the test and the results of other tests. Because oestrogen levels change a lot in women, the test may be done more than once to see the trend; your doctor will explain what the result means.
Progesterone is a hormone made mostly in the ovaries that, in the second half of the cycle after ovulation, prepares the lining of the womb for a fertilised egg to implant. MedlinePlus lists perimenopause among the possible causes of low progesterone. According to the NHS, hormone therapy usually combines oestrogen with a progestogen; people who have had their womb removed can take oestrogen on its own.
HOW IS THE RESULT INTERPRETED?
What a progesterone result means depends on why the test was done, when in your menstrual cycle the blood was taken and whether you are pregnant; your doctor will explain what the result means for your health.
FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the development of eggs in the ovaries. As the ovaries release fewer eggs, the body makes more FSH, so its level rises as menopause approaches. According to NICE, an FSH test to confirm menopause should only be considered in people aged 40 to 45 with symptoms, or when menopause is suspected under the age of 40.
HOW IS THE RESULT INTERPRETED?
To interpret an FSH result, a doctor looks at your age, symptoms and medical history together with the results of other hormone tests, especially LH. Your doctor will explain what the result means for you; the normal range varies from laboratory to laboratory.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you use combined (oestrogen and progestogen) contraception or a high-dose progestogen, an FSH test is not used to identify menopause; talk to your doctor about whether you need the test.
LH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland that triggers ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovary; its level rises sharply just before ovulation. During the menopause transition, LH levels can rise along with FSH. According to MedlinePlus, high LH and FSH at 45 and over are usually a sign of normal perimenopause or menopause, and testing is often not needed at that age.
HOW IS THE RESULT INTERPRETED?
To interpret an LH result, a doctor looks at your age, symptoms and medical history together with the results of other hormone tests, especially FSH. In women who have periods, LH levels change through the month; your doctor will explain what the result means.
AMH is a hormone measured in the blood that reflects ovarian reserve, meaning the number of eggs left in the ovaries. In the reproductive years a high level points to a larger egg reserve; as the number of eggs falls with age, AMH falls too and drops to zero at menopause. NICE recommends not using an AMH test to identify menopause in people aged 45 and over.
HOW IS THE RESULT INTERPRETED?
What an AMH result means depends on why the test was done; in general, a high level points to more eggs and a low level to a shrinking egg reserve. Low AMH can show that menopause is getting closer, but it does not show how long is left until menopause. Your doctor interprets your result together with your age and other tests.
A menopause test is the everyday name for tests that measure the hormone FSH in blood or urine. According to NICE, in otherwise healthy people aged 45 and over with symptoms, perimenopause and menopause are identified from symptoms and the menstrual cycle, without laboratory tests. According to MedlinePlus, home urine FSH tests can only show higher than normal FSH; the result should be discussed with a doctor.
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, makes them fragile and raises the risk of fractures. It often causes no pain or symptoms and may only be noticed when a bone breaks after a fall or knock. According to the NHS, women lose bone rapidly in the first few years after menopause; early menopause and removal of the ovaries are also among the risk factors.
DEXA is a test that measures bone density using low-dose X-rays; the name is short for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It is quick and painless, and the result is used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. According to the NHS, it may be recommended for people over 50 who are at risk of osteoporosis, and for younger people with additional risk factors such as smoking or a previous fracture.
A T-score is a value that compares the result of a bone density scan with that of a healthy young adult of the same sex; it is used in postmenopausal women. According to MedlinePlus, a score of -1.0 or above means normal bone density, between -1.0 and -2.4 means low bone density (osteopenia), and -2.5 or below means osteoporosis is likely. The lower the score, the higher the risk of fracture.
Weight-bearing exercise is exercise in which your feet and legs carry your body weight and your bones and muscles work against gravity; brisk walking, running and dancing are examples. According to the NHS, swimming and cycling do not count as weight-bearing. According to The Menopause Society, it may slow bone loss in the first years after menopause and reduce the risk of fractures. The NHS recommends these exercises to protect bones during menopause.
Cardiovascular health covers how the heart and blood vessels work and the risk of conditions such as heart attack and stroke. According to the World Health Organization, as oestrogen falls markedly after menopause, women gradually lose their advantage over men when it comes to cardiovascular disease. The NIA, part of the NIH, also notes that women become more prone to heart disease and stroke after menopause.
Also known as: genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Genitourinary syndrome is the collective name for the symptoms and signs caused by the effects of falling oestrogen on the tissues of the vulva, vagina, urethra and bladder. It includes vaginal dryness, burning, itching, pain during sex and urinary complaints. According to the 2020 position statement of The Menopause Society (then called NAMS), it affects about 27–84% of postmenopausal women and is probably under-recognised.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if you have any vaginal bleeding after menopause, or if the symptoms continue despite the steps you have taken yourself.
Vaginal dryness is when the vagina loses its natural moisture; it can cause discomfort, itching, soreness and pain during sex. According to the NHS, menopause, pregnancy and breastfeeding, some medicines, removal of the womb, especially together with the ovaries, and cancer treatments can cause dryness by changing hormone levels. Dryness during menopause is one of the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if the dryness has lasted a few weeks and the things you have tried are not helping, if it affects your daily life, if you have unusual discharge, or if you bleed after sex, between periods or after menopause.
Also known as: atrophic vaginitis or vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA)
Vaginal atrophy is the gradual shrinking and thinning of the vaginal tissues when oestrogen falls, leading to dryness and inflammation. Its symptoms include soreness, itching or burning in the vagina, burning when passing urine, painful sex and light bleeding after sex. According to the 2020 position statement of The Menopause Society, symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy is one component of genitourinary syndrome.
Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants are non-hormonal products used for vaginal dryness, most of which are available without a prescription. According to the NHS, a water-based lubricant is applied before sex, while a moisturiser is put inside the vagina to help keep it moist. According to The Menopause Society, the effect of a moisturiser lasts longer. NICE states that both can be used together with vaginal oestrogen or instead of it.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor if the dryness has lasted a few weeks and the things you have tried are not helping; you can also talk to your pharmacist about which moisturiser suits you.
Also known as: bladder leakage or loss of bladder control
Urinary incontinence is the unintentional leaking of urine; the NHS lists needing to pee more often and not being able to control when you pee among the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Its types include stress incontinence, which happens when the bladder is under pressure, such as when you cough or laugh, and urge incontinence, which happens with or just after a sudden, intense urge to pee; the two can also occur together.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor about any type of urinary incontinence; according to the NHS, it is a common problem and there is no need to feel embarrassed talking about the symptoms.
Pelvic floor exercises are squeeze-and-relax exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles beneath the womb, bladder and bowel. These are the muscles you squeeze when trying to hold in urine or wind. According to the NHS, they can be effective at reducing leaks; they need to be done properly, should include both short and long squeezes, and it can take a few months to see the benefit.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you are not sure you are doing the exercises correctly, ask your doctor; they may refer you to a physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic floor exercises.
Also known as: recurrent UTI or recurrent cystitis
A recurrent urinary tract infection is a UTI that comes back after treatment, or that happens 2 times within 6 months or 3 times within 12 months. According to the NHS, these infections, or symptoms that feel like them, can become more frequent in perimenopause and menopause: pain or burning when peeing and needing to pee more often, including at night. A doctor may prescribe a vaginal treatment containing oestrogen at this stage.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
See a doctor without delay if the symptoms get worse quickly or do not improve within 2 days of starting treatment; if you have pain in your lower tummy or in your back just under the ribs, blood in your pee, a very high or very low body temperature or shivering; or if the infections keep coming back. Get emergency help if you become confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking.
Menopausal hormone therapy is a medicine treatment that replaces the hormones that fall at menopause, usually oestrogen and, in people who have a womb, a progestogen. The 2022 position statement of The Menopause Society considers hormone therapy the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and genitourinary syndrome; the risks vary with the type, dose, duration, route of use, timing of starting and whether a progestogen is used. The decision is made together with a doctor.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Decide with your doctor whether to start, continue or stop hormone therapy; according to the NHS, conditions such as a history of breast, ovarian or womb cancer or of blood clots, and untreated high blood pressure, affect whether it is suitable.
Also known as: oestrogen patch, oestrogen gel or oestrogen spray
Transdermal hormone therapy is hormone therapy in which oestrogen is given through the skin, as a patch, gel or spray; the hormone passes gradually from the skin into the blood. According to the NHS, HRT tablets can slightly increase the risk of blood clots and stroke, although the risk is very low, while patches, gels and sprays do not increase the risk of blood clots. People who have a womb use oestrogen gel or spray together with a progestogen.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you are at risk of blood clots, talk to your doctor about how to take hormone therapy; according to the NHS, patches, gel or spray are usually advised rather than tablets in this case.
Vaginal oestrogen is a low-dose oestrogen treatment applied in the vagina as a cream, gel, tablet, pessary or ring. According to NICE, it is offered to people with genital and urinary symptoms linked to menopause; it acts mostly locally and very little passes into the blood. According to the NHS, it does not carry the usual risks of hormone therapy and can be used without a progestogen even by people who have a womb, but it does not help with hot flushes.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you have a history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about whether vaginal oestrogen is suitable for you.
Progestogen is the shared name for natural or synthetic progesterone-like hormones; the group includes progesterone, which is identical to the hormone the ovaries make, and progestins, which are made to act like it. According to the NHS, people who have a womb take a progestogen together with oestrogen in hormone therapy; this helps protect against the risk of womb cancer. A progestogen can be taken as tablets, as part of a combined patch or through an intrauterine system.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a talking therapy in which a therapist helps a person change how they think and act. The NHS says it may be offered for hot flushes and night sweats during menopause. NICE says menopause-specific CBT can be considered for hot flushes in addition to hormone therapy, or for people for whom hormone therapy is unsuitable or who prefer not to take it; The Menopause Society also recommends it for this purpose.
Phytoestrogens are plant substances whose chemical structure resembles the female hormone oestrogen. Isoflavones in soy and red clover, and flaxseed, are well-known sources of this group. According to the NCCIH, part of the NIH, it has not been clearly shown that phytoestrogens and other herbal supplements relieve menopause symptoms; a Cochrane review also found no conclusive evidence of an effect on hot flushes.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you are thinking of taking a herbal supplement, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it in light of the medicines you take and your health.
Isoflavones are plant compounds found in soy and red clover whose structure resembles the hormone oestrogen; they belong to the phytoestrogen group. Soy supplements may contain soy protein, isoflavones or other components. According to the NCCIH, part of the NIH, any effect of soy isoflavone supplements on hot flushes may be small, and research results are not fully consistent.
Genistein is an isoflavone with phytoestrogen properties; its structure resembles the hormone oestrogen. In research, soy, red clover and genistein extracts have been studied as separate groups. A 2013 Cochrane review could not show a conclusive effect of phytoestrogen supplements on hot flushes and night sweats, and recommended that concentrated genistein extracts be investigated further.
Red clover is a legume native to Europe, Central Asia and North Africa; it contains isoflavones whose structure resembles oestrogen, and its supplements are marketed for women's health. According to the NCCIH, part of the NIH, studies on hot flushes have had inconsistent results and some have a high risk of bias. In a 2013 Cochrane review, a red clover extract also did not differ significantly from placebo.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you have a condition in which you should not take oestrogen, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking a red clover supplement.
Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant; the NCCIH, part of the NIH, lists it among the sources of phytoestrogens. Flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplements usually contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid. According to the NCCIH, flaxseed products have not been found to be more effective than placebo at reducing hot flushes. Raw or unripe flaxseed should not be eaten, as it may contain potentially toxic compounds.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you take a blood thinner or any other medicine, ask your doctor before taking flaxseed or flaxseed oil as a supplement.
Also known as: black snakeroot, Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa
Black cohosh is a plant of the buttercup family that grows in North America; its root and underground stem are used in supplements, which are marketed for menopause symptoms. The evidence is inconsistent: a 2012 Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to support its use, while a 2023 review cited by the NCCIH, part of the NIH, reported a possible benefit. The Menopause Society does not recommend herbal supplements for hot flushes.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you have liver disease, ask your doctor before taking black cohosh; if you develop signs of liver problems such as tummy pain, dark urine or jaundice while taking it, stop and see a doctor.
Vitamin D is a vitamin that helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body; these minerals are needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. The body makes it from sunlight on the skin outdoors, and it is also found in a small number of foods. According to the NHS, adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day, and the NHS also lists vitamin D supplements among the ways to protect bones during menopause.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
Taking too much vitamin D in supplements over a long time can cause calcium to build up in the body, which can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart; ask your doctor or pharmacist about the supplement dose.
Calcium is a mineral that helps build bones and keep teeth healthy, regulates muscle contractions, including the heartbeat, and makes sure blood clots normally. According to the NHS, adults aged 19 and over need 700 milligrams of calcium a day, and all of it can come from a varied, balanced diet. The NHS recommends calcium-rich foods such as milk, yoghurt and kale to protect bones during menopause.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR?
If you take a supplement, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the dose; according to the NHS, more than 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day can cause stomach pain and diarrhoea.
This glossary gives general information; it does not diagnose, does not recommend treatment and does not replace an examination by a doctor. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms or the medicines you take.