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Steps to diagnosisSpeaking to a doctor about menopauseNavigating your diagnosis

When you’re experiencing changes to your physical and mental health, it’s important that you have an answer as to what’s happening to your body and why. Getting a diagnosis can empower you to feel in control of your health again.

Throughout this page, you can discover the key steps to take to be diagnosed with menopause.

THE STEPS TO DIAGNOSIS

Using the filters below, explore the wide range of possible menopause symptoms and how they could affect your body and mind.

  • 1UNDERSTANDING SYMPTOMS
  • 2BOOKING A CONSULTATION
  • 3PREPARING FOR YOUR
APPOINTMENT
  • 4BEING DIAGNOSED WITH MENOPAUSE
UNDERSTANDING WHICH SYMPTOMS RELATE TO MENOPAUSE

In order to recognise menopause when it happens to you, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the full spectrum of possible symptoms, from heart palpitations and joint pain to anxiety and brain fog.1 Check out our symptom education page if you need a refresher of how to recognise menopause symptoms.

Explore Symptoms

Speaking to a doctor about menopause

During your appointment with your healthcare provider, having an open and honest conversation about your symptoms is really important. This will help them to diagnose you accurately and find the most suitable treatment or management plan for menopause to help you live your best possible life.

Use this time to ask any questions you have and take lots of notes throughout your appointment. If it helps you to feel more comfortable, why not ask a trusted friend or family member to come with you?

In the sections below you can find some key topics that you may want to discuss during your appointment.

  • Medical treatments or conditions that trigger early menopause
  • Smoking and alcohol consumption
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Mental health, including antidepressants
  • Having another health condition alongside menopause

  • Medications (including hormonal and non-hormonal menopause treatment options)
  • Lifestyle changes

  • Diet and exercise
  • Contraception and pregnancy
  • Menopause in the workplace
  • Information for my family or carers
  • Support organisations
Get prepared for your upcoming appointment
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Interested in learning more ABOUT TREATMENTS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES?

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  1. NHS. Menopause: symptoms [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/  Last accessed October 2024.
  1. Trémollieres FA, André G, Letombe B, Barthélemy L, Pichard A, Gelas B, Lopès P. Persistent gap in menopause care 20 years after the WHI: a population-based study of menopause-related symptoms and their management. Maturitas. 2022;166:58-64.
  1. Greene, J. A factor analytic study of climacteric symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 1976;20, 425-430.
  1. NICE. Menopause: diagnosis and management [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/diagnosing-menopause Last accessed October 2024.
  1. NIH. How do healthcare providers diagnose menopause? [Internet]. Available at: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menopause/conditioninfo/diagnosed Last accessed October 2024.
  1. Karmakar N, Majumdar S, Dasgupta A, Das S. Quality of life among menopausal women: A community-based study in a rural area of West Bengal. J Midlife Health. 2017;8(1):21-27.
  1. Taebi M, Abdolahian S, Ozgoli G, Ebadi A, Kariman N. Strategies to improve menopausal quality of life: A systematic review. J Educ Health Promot. 2018:6;7:93.