"On average, perimenopause lasts for around four years, although it can go on for up to 12 years for some women. You’ll likely begin to notice signs of perimenopause in your forties or even your thirties. When hormones start to fluctuate and change, periods can be regular or become irregular. These signs of menopause can last for a few weeks, months or years.

Symptoms vary but can include hot flushes, vaginal and urinary symptoms such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and frequent UTIs. You may also experience cognitive symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, joint pain, and dry skin.

Menopause is officially reached 12 months and 1 day after a woman's last menstrual period."

For more information about what the menopause actually is, read here.

"Premature menopause is rare and estimated to affect 1% of women under the age of 40 years and 0.1% of women under the age of 30 years. However, that’s still thousands of women that might not be getting the support they need. 

With a personal experience of premature menopause, Menopause Mandate Nurse Kate, has helped us shine the light on the difficulty of this menopause journey.

A premature menopause before the age of 40, the difference between Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and menopause is that for some women the ovaries don't completely shut down so there is a small chance of conception at around 5%. Periods can continue but most likely become irregular or stop.

For some women experiencing a medical or surgical menopause the symptoms can be more severe because the hormones are taken away abruptly. It is important if you are having surgery or medical treatment that is likely to induce a menopause, you discuss this with your specialist doctor as a plan can be put in place regarding treatment before procedure."

Wondering whether menopause is different with endometriosis? Find out here.

"Some of my favourite books to recommend are: 

• The Complete Guide to POI and Early Menopause by Dr Hannah Short and Dr Mandy Leondhart, 
• My Life on Pause by Siobhan O'Sullivan 
• Fast Asleep by Dr Michael Mosely"