Menopause: a global health and wellbeing issue that needs urgent attention

Abstract

Menopause, whether natural (ie, the permanent cessation of an individuals's menstrual cycle for at least 12 consecutive months, without any other obvious cause), surgical, or induced by medical treatments, is characterised by the permanent cessation of menstruation. Menopause affects all those assigned female at birth, hereafter referred to as “women”. Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, joint pain, low mood, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbances. Menopause is also associated with several long-term health risks, perhaps the most notable of which is cardiovascular disease.