World Menopause Day 2026: Raising Awareness About Menopause Is Essential to Improving Women’s Quality of Life
By Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed
Menopause, or the permanent cessation of menstruation, is a natural biological stage in a woman’s life. It usually occurs during middle age. However, hormonal changes associated with menopause can cause various physical, psychological, and social challenges. While some women experience mild symptoms, others may find that these symptoms affect their sleep, work capacity, family life, and overall quality of life. Social stigma, misconceptions, and inadequate health awareness prevent many women from receiving the medical care they need.
World Menopause Day is observed every year on October 18. Its primary objectives are to raise awareness about menopause, promote the proper assessment of symptoms, and encourage women to seek appropriate healthcare. Menopause is not a disease; it is a natural transition in life. Nevertheless, its symptoms and potential long-term health risks should not be ignored.
Menopause: What Do the Statistics Tell Us?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), natural menopause generally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. In 2021, women and adolescent girls aged 50 years and older accounted for approximately 26% of the global female population, compared with 22% a decade earlier. This indicates that the experiences and healthcare needs of women living beyond menopause are becoming increasingly important worldwide.
According to information published by the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), approximately three-quarters of women experience one or more symptoms during menopause. Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, joint pain, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. However, the type, severity, and duration of symptoms vary from person to person.
In Bangladesh, reliable and up-to-date national statistics on menopause-related symptoms, healthcare utilisation, and long-term complications are not readily available. Therefore, rather than directly applying international statistics to Bangladeshi women, greater emphasis should be placed on local research and the collection of relevant health data.
What Is Menopause, and When Does It Occur?
Menopause is generally diagnosed retrospectively when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, provided there is no other medical or treatment-related explanation.
During the years leading up to menopause, women may experience changes in the timing, frequency, and amount of menstrual bleeding. This transitional phase is known as perimenopause.
Menopause occurring before the age of 45 is generally referred to as early menopause, while menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause. Women who experience the cessation of menstruation at an unusually young age should consult a healthcare professional. Possible causes include reduced ovarian function, genetic conditions, surgery, and the effects of cancer treatment.
Major Causes and Risk Factors of Menopause
The natural decline in ovarian function with age is the primary cause of natural menopause. As ovarian function decreases, the production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone declines, eventually resulting in the permanent cessation of ovulation and menstruation.
Factors that may contribute to menopause occurring earlier than expected include:
Premature decline in ovarian function.
Surgical removal of both ovaries.
Chemotherapy or certain types of radiotherapy.
Certain genetic and autoimmune disorders.
A family history of premature menopause.
Smoking and certain individual health-related factors.
Removal of the uterus does not necessarily cause immediate menopause if the ovaries remain intact. The outcome depends on the type of surgery and the continued functioning of the ovaries.
Signs and Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause symptoms vary considerably among women. The major symptoms include:
1. Menstrual irregularities: Changes in the intervals between periods, variations in menstrual bleeding, and eventual cessation of menstruation.
2. Hot flashes: Sudden sensations of heat affecting the face, neck, and chest, sometimes accompanied by sweating and palpitations.
3. Night sweats: Excessive sweating during sleep, repeated awakenings, and tiredness in the morning.
4. Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, and not getting sufficient restorative sleep.
5. Emotional changes: Irritability, anxiety, low mood, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating.
6. Memory and concentration problems: Temporary forgetfulness and difficulty maintaining attention during everyday activities.
7. Vaginal dryness: Dryness, itching, irritation, burning sensations, and pain during sexual intercourse.
8. Urinary problems: Frequent urination, sudden urges to urinate, difficulty controlling urination, and recurrent urinary tract infections.
9. Joint and muscle pain: Pain in different parts of the body, muscle discomfort, and stiffness. However, these symptoms may also have causes unrelated to menopause.
10. Skin and hair changes: Dry skin, thinning hair, and reduced skin elasticity.
11. Changes in sexual desire: Hormonal changes, inadequate sleep, and physical discomfort may contribute to reduced sexual interest.
Not every woman experiences all these symptoms. For some, symptoms last for several months, while others may experience them for several years.
Types of Menopause
Menopause can be classified according to its timing and underlying cause.
Natural menopause: Permanent cessation of menstruation as ovarian function declines with age.
Early menopause: Menopause occurring between the ages of 40 and 44.
Premature menopause: Permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss of ovarian function before the age of 40.
Surgical menopause: A rapid decline in hormone levels following the surgical removal of both ovaries.
Treatment-induced menopause: Loss of ovarian function resulting from chemotherapy or certain other medical treatments.
Perimenopause: The transitional period preceding menopause, characterised by hormonal and menstrual changes. It is not itself permanent menopause.
Complications and Long-Term Health Risks of Menopause
1. Bone loss and osteoporosis: Declining estrogen levels can accelerate the loss of bone density, increasing the risk of fractures. The spine, wrists, and hips are particularly vulnerable.
2. Cardiovascular risks: Ageing, high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, smoking, and physical inactivity contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. Regular assessment of these risk factors is important after menopause.
3. Vaginal and urinary problems: Vaginal dryness, irritation, painful sexual intercourse, and urinary symptoms may persist and require treatment.
4. Sleep and mental health problems: Prolonged sleep disturbances can contribute to fatigue, impaired concentration, and anxiety. Persistent depression or severe psychological distress should not be dismissed as a normal part of menopause.
5. Weight and metabolic changes: Muscle mass may decline with age, while fat accumulation around the abdomen may increase. These changes can influence the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
6. Pelvic floor weakness: Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues may contribute to urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse, in which the uterus or other pelvic organs descend from their normal position.
Homeopathic Management: The Importance of Individualised Assessment
Hormonal changes during menopause can produce various physical and psychological changes. Some women experience hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, and restlessness, while others report mood changes, fatigue, weight gain, or bone and joint pain.
In homeopathic practice, remedies are traditionally selected after considering a patient’s physical symptoms, emotional state, and individual characteristics.
Homeopathic practitioners may consider remedies such as Lachesis, Sepia, Silicea, Calcarea Carbonica, Pulsatilla, Belladonna, Glonoinum, Sanguinaria Canadensis, Ignatia, Nux Vomica, Phosphorus, Argentum Nitricum, Calcarea Phosphorica, Calcarea Fluorica, Graphites, Amylium Nitrosum, Aconitum Napellus, and China, among others, according to the symptoms presented.
However, these remedies should not be regarded as scientifically established treatments for menopause. Reliable evidence supporting the effectiveness of homeopathy for menopausal symptoms is lacking. Women should not substitute homeopathic products for evidence-based medical care or delay appropriate treatment. Any treatment decision should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional, particularly when symptoms are severe or persistent.
Home Care and Symptom Management
Not all menopausal symptoms can be eliminated through home care alone. Nevertheless, healthy lifestyle practices can help manage symptoms and reduce certain long-term health risks.
1. Maintain a balanced diet: Include vegetables, fruits, lentils, fish, eggs, nuts, and other nutritious foods in daily meals. Calcium-rich foods and adequate vitamin D are important for bone health.
2. Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, as tolerated. Walking, strength-training exercises, and balance exercises can be beneficial. Start gradually according to individual ability.
3. Get adequate sleep: Maintain a regular bedtime and waking schedule. Keep the bedroom cool and comfortable, and reduce caffeine consumption and excessive screen use before bedtime.
4. Manage hot flashes: Wear lightweight clothing, ensure adequate ventilation, and drink cool water when needed. Identify foods, activities, or environmental conditions that may trigger symptoms.
5. Support emotional well-being: Breathing exercises, prayer, enjoyable activities, and spending time with family may promote emotional comfort. Seek professional mental health support if problems persist.
6. Avoid smoking: Stopping smoking benefits both bone and cardiovascular health. Reduce caffeine or spicy foods if they consistently worsen individual symptoms.
7. Care for vaginal dryness: Avoid perfumed soaps and chemical products intended for internal vaginal cleansing. Water-based lubricants or vaginal moisturisers may help relieve dryness. Persistent symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
8. Maintain a healthy weight and metabolic health: Maintaining a healthy weight and checking blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol when appropriate are important preventive measures.
9. Practise pelvic floor exercises: Correctly performed pelvic floor exercises may help women experiencing urinary leakage. Assistance from a trained physiotherapist may be useful when needed.
10. Arrange regular health assessments: Depending on age, family history, and individual risk factors, consult a healthcare professional about bone-density testing, breast health, cervical screening, and other appropriate examinations. Hormones, calcium, vitamin D, and herbal supplements should not be started independently; their necessity and dosage should be determined with professional guidance.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In women aged 45 or older who experience typical menopausal symptoms alongside changes in menstruation, healthcare professionals can often identify menopause through clinical history and symptom assessment. Hormone testing is not necessary for every woman.
However, blood tests and other investigations may be appropriate when menstruation stops at an unusually young age or when the diagnosis is uncertain.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can effectively relieve hot flashes, night sweats, and certain other menopausal symptoms in many women.
For vaginal dryness, local treatments and non-hormonal medications may also be considered. However, hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone. Decisions should take into account age, personal medical history, the risk of blood clots, a history of cancer, and other relevant factors. Treatment should be prescribed and monitored by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
When Is Medical Advice Essential?
Women should seek medical advice in the following circumstances:
Menopausal symptoms develop before the age of 45.
Menstrual bleeding becomes unusually heavy or continues for an extended period.
Any vaginal bleeding or brown discharge occurs after 12 consecutive months without menstruation.
Severe vaginal dryness, pain, or urinary problems develop.
Sleep disturbances, anxiety, or depression interfere with daily life.
Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or weakness on one side of the body occurs. These symptoms require emergency medical attention.
The Responsibilities of Families, Society, and the Healthcare System
Families, the media, and healthcare professionals all have important roles in eliminating stigma, embarrassment, and misconceptions surrounding menopause.
Husbands and other family members should respect women’s physical and emotional changes and support them in obtaining adequate rest, medical advice, and appropriate treatment.
Healthcare facilities should expand access to menopause counselling, symptom assessment, evaluation of bone and cardiovascular health risks, and appropriate treatment. Further research is also needed in Bangladesh to understand the age of menopause, common symptoms, patterns of healthcare utilisation, and long-term health risks among Bangladeshi women.
Conclusion
Although menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, its physical and psychological changes should not be ignored. A balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, emotional well-being, and appropriate healthcare can improve women’s quality of life.
Through awareness, understanding, and compassion, it is possible to make life after menopause healthier, more active, and more dignified.
Let the commitment of World Menopause Day 2026 be to increase awareness of menopause, ensure proper assessment of symptoms, and guarantee accessible, safe, and dignified healthcare for every woman.
Author: Columnist and Public Health Analyst
Founder and Chairman: Jatiya rogi Kalyan Society
Email: drmazed96@gmail.com
