Periods become irregular, you become less fertile and progesterone levels fall. Eventually the eggs run out, menstruation ends and oestrogen levels drop. Hot flushes and night sweats are linked to falling oestrogen and vaginal dryness can develop when oestrogen is low. Post-menopausal women also have a greater risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Other women find their periods become scanty.
Women have erratic periods for four years on average.
During this time they become less fertile and symptoms can appear, such as hot flushes and night sweats. Menopause symptoms continue for a year or two after menstruation ends. But in some cases, women are plagued for five years or more. Most doctors will diagnose the menopause without tests in a mid-life woman who has not bled for 12 months, especially if she has symptoms such as hot flushes. However FSH results can be unreliable and tests may be repeated.