Let’s get one thing straight: menopause is not the beginning of the end. It’s not you “going mad,” nor is it a condition that needs to be cured. It’s a life stage. A natural transition. Yet, thanks to decades of myths, hush-hush conversations, and dodgy internet advice, many of us hit midlife wondering: “What the heck is happening to my body, and why didn’t anyone warn me?”
So let’s break the silence. No shame. No sugar-coating. Just facts, humour, and a bit of Hey Sister! love.
What menopause actually is (and isn’t)
Menopause is defined as the point when you’ve gone 12 months without a period, marking the end of ovarian hormone production¹. In Australia and New Zealand, the average age is around 51².
Here’s the kicker: menopause itself is a one-day event (that 12-month marker). The years leading up to it, perimenopause, are when most of the symptoms kick off. And post-menopause is everything that comes after.
So, menopause is:
✅ A natural biological stage
✅ Triggered by declining oestrogen and progesterone
❌ Not an illness
❌ Not a punishment for ageing
The many faces of menopause.
Symptoms vary wildly. Some women breeze through with barely a flush. Others feel like their body has been hijacked by a hormonal trickster. Common symptoms include:
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Hot flushes & night sweats (vasomotor symptoms) ³
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Sleep disturbance⁴
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Mood changes, anxiety, or depression⁵
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Vaginal dryness, pain during sex, urinary issues⁶
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Joint aches, headaches, or brain fog⁷
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Changes in libido and sexual function⁸
These can last a few years… or more. Research from the VITAL registry across Australia and NZ highlights just how under-recognised and varied women’s experiences are⁹.
Busting the big menopause myths.
Myth 1: Menopause happens at 50, bang on.
Fact: It averages around 51, but anything between 45–55 is normal. Early menopause (before 45) or premature menopause (before 40) also happens¹⁰.
Myth 2: It’s just hot flushes.
Fact: Menopause impacts sleep, mood, sex, bones, brain, and more. Limiting the conversation to “the odd flush” is outdated and dismissive.
Myth 3: Hormone therapy is dangerous.
Fact: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective treatment for symptom relief and bone protection¹¹. For many women, benefits outweigh risks, but treatment should always be individualised.
Myth 4: Once it’s over, you’re free.
Fact: Long-term health changes (like increased risks of osteoporosis and heart disease) mean it’s important to keep up lifestyle care and health checks¹².
Why the confusion?
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Misinformation: RACGP research found many Aussie women (and even some GPs) still carry outdated ideas about menopause¹³.
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Stigma: A culture of silence leaves women feeling alone and uninformed.
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Underserved groups: First Nations women, culturally diverse groups, and women with disabilities are often left out of menopause research and care¹⁴.
The result? Women suffer unnecessarily, thinking their symptoms are “just ageing” or “in their head.”
What menopause management actually looks like
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Lifestyle medicine: Nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, stress reduction. Not just fluffy advice; research shows these have measurable impacts¹⁵.
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Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT): Still the gold standard for hot flushes, night sweats, and bone protection¹¹.
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Non-hormonal options: For women who can’t or don’t want MHT, options include SSRIs, CBT, and natural remedies¹⁶.
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Support networks: Talking it out helps. Whether with a GP, specialist, or sisterhood, you’re not supposed to white-knuckle this alone.
The long game: why menopause matters.
Menopause isn’t the end; it’s the beginning of a new health chapter. Post-menopause, risks of osteoporosis, heart disease, and metabolic changes increase¹². That’s why education, regular screening, and healthy habits matter more than ever.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about future-proofing your health so you can enjoy the decades ahead with strength, vibrancy, and confidence.
Where Hey Sister! fits in
At Hey Sister!, we know menopause isn’t “one pill fixes all.” That’s why our natural relief products are designed to ease the everyday symptoms, from period pain to perimenopause fog, so you can get back to living.
Because menopause doesn’t define you. But having tools to navigate it? That’s empowerment.
FAQs
Q: What’s the average age of menopause in Australia/NZ?
Around 51, but the normal range is 45–55².
Q: Can menopause happen earlier?
Yes, before 45 is early menopause, and before 40 is premature menopause¹⁰.
Q: What’s the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause = the transition years with fluctuating hormones and symptoms. Menopause = the 12-month period-free mark¹.
Q: Do all women get hot flushes?
No. Some women never experience them, others get them severely³.
Q: Is MHT safe?
For most women, yes. It’s the most effective treatment, but it should always be tailored to you by a healthcare professional¹¹.
Q: Is menopause a disease?
Nope. It’s a natural transition; though its symptoms deserve support and respect, not dismissal.
References
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Australasian Menopause Society – Perimenopause / Menopause Info Sheet
https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/perimenopause Australasian Menopause Society -
Healthdirect Australia – Menopause Overview
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/menopause -
Jean Hailes – Menopause Symptoms
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/uploads/05-Fact-sheets-English-TGD/0523_jh_fact_sheet_menopause_TGD.pdf -
Better Health Victoria – Menopause and Sleep
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menopause -
Menopause.org.au – Menopause and Mental Health
https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/menopause-and-mental-health -
Women’s Hospital Melbourne – Menopause Facts
https://thewomens.org.au/health-information/periods/menopause -
Jean Hailes – Brain Fog in Menopause
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/the-fog-of-menopause -
Menopause Alliance – Menopause Symptom Checklist / Resources
https://www.menopausealliance.org/ -
Bespoke Clinical Research – VITAL Registry
https://www.bespokeclinicalresearch.com.au/vital -
Dr Kelly Hankins – Menopause Myths Debunked
https://www.kellyhankinsmd.com/menopause-myths -
Australian Prescriber – Management of Menopause / Menopause Treatment
https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/management-of-menopause.html Australian Prescriber -
Research Australia – Menopause Health Impacts / Research
https://researchaustralia.org/ -
RACGP / Monash University – Menopause Practitioner’s Toolkit
https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/guidelines-by-topic/view-all-guidelines-by-topic/women-s-health/menopause-a-practitioner-s-toolkit RACGP -
Australian Government Senate Response – Menopause Inquiry
https://www.aph.gov.au/ -
Menopause Alliance Australia – Lifestyle Medicine and Menopause Resources
https://www.menopausealliance.org.au -
AMS – Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause (Info Sheets)
https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/nonhormonal-treatments-for-menopausal-symptoms
