Let's Talk Menopause.

Let's TalkMenopause.

Understanding menopause helps you navigate this natural transition with confidence.

What is Menopause?

Menopause is when your monthly periods stop for good. It happens because your body stops making as much oestrogen and progesterone, two important hormones.

You've reached menopause when you haven't had a period for 12 months in a row.

Menopause usually happens between ages 45 and 55. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the average age is 52.1

~7 in 10 women

notice significant symptoms during menopause.2

~1 in 4 women

need support from a doctor, especially if the symptoms are strong or last a long time. 2

Stages of Menopause

Perimenopause

Hormone changes

Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, when the ovaries begin producing fewer eggs and hormone levels (especially oestrogen) fluctuate. These changes can cause symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flushes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and brain fog. Perimenopause often begins in the 40s, but it can start earlier, and symptoms may last several years before the final menstrual period.17

Menopause

Final Menstrual Period

Menopause is reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This marks the end of natural fertility and occurs, on average, around age 51 in New Zealand. Hormone levels stabilise at lower levels, and some symptoms may continue during this time. Menopause is a single point in time and once reached, a woman transitions into postmenopause.18

Postmenopause

12 Months After Final Menstrual Period

Postmenopause begins one year after the final menstrual period and continues for the rest of a woman’s life. Some symptoms may ease as hormones stabilise, while others, such as vaginal dryness or sleep changes, may persist. Lower oestrogen levels during postmenopause can increase the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, making ongoing health monitoring important.19

Perimenopause

Hormone changes

Perimenopause is the transition phase leading up to menopause, when the ovaries begin producing fewer eggs and hormone levels (especially oestrogen) fluctuate. These changes can cause symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flushes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and brain fog. Perimenopause often begins in the 40s, but it can start earlier, and symptoms may last several years before the final menstrual period.17

Menopause

Final Menstrual Period

Menopause is reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This marks the end of natural fertility and occurs, on average, around age 51 in New Zealand. Hormone levels stabilise at lower levels, and some symptoms may continue during this time. Menopause is a single point in time and once reached, a woman transitions into postmenopause.18

Postmenopause

12 Months After Final Menstrual Period

Postmenopause begins one year after the final menstrual period and continues for the rest of a woman’s life. Some symptoms may ease as hormones stabilise, while others, such as vaginal dryness or sleep changes, may persist. Lower oestrogen levels during postmenopause can increase the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, making ongoing health monitoring important.19

Understanding Menopause Symptoms

It is important to know that menopause is more than just hot flushes and night sweats.
A wide range of physical symptoms can occur with menopause, as well as a range of emotional and mental symptoms including mood swings and anxiety.3,4

These symptoms can belong to one of 4 categories:
Vasomotor

Vasomotor

Hot flushes, night sweats, and other temperature-related symptoms

Psychological

Psychological

Mood changes, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances

Locomotor

Locomotor

Joint pain, muscle aches, and physical discomfort

Urogenital

Urogenital

Vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms

Menopause does not look the same for everyone, and your experience may be different to that of someone else. Some people may only experience mild symptoms, while others may experience symptoms that affect their quality of life.3

Ways to Manage Menopause

EATING WELL

REGULAR EXERCISE

STRESS MANAGEMENT

EATING WELL

REGULAR EXERCISE

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Healthy lifestyle changes like eating well, regular exercise, and stress management can help with symptoms. Some women benefit from menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), previously called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).2

Treatment

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) helps with symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats.3,4
Oestrogen therapy
is an effective means of treating these symptoms. It is also used to help prevent bone loss.
Progesterone
is used alongside oestrogen therapy for those with a uterus.

Our Treatment Options

Pharmaco is proud to offer Estrogel for oestrogen therapy and Utrogestan for micronised progesterone therapy.

Learn About Estrogel Learn About Utrogestan

  1. Healthify. Menopause. Available at https://healthify.nz/hauora-wellbeing/m/menopause. Accessed March 2025.

  2. Managing menopausal symptoms. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), 2020.

  3. Jean Hailes. Symptoms of Menopause. December 2024. Available at https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms. Accessed March 2025.

  4. Australasian Menopause Society. Menopause what are the symptoms? April 2017. Available at https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-what-are-the-symptoms. Accessed March 2025.

  5. Apgar BS et al Am Fam Physician 2000;62:1839-1846.

  6. Utrogestan NZ data sheet March 2025.

  7. Estrogel NZ Data Sheet July 2024.

  8. Estrogel Consumer Medicine Information; May 2024.

  9. Archer DF et al. Menopause 2012;19(6):622–629.

  10. The 2017 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause 2017;24(7):728-753.

  11. Palacios S et al Maturitas 1995;20:209-13.

  12. Devogelaer JP et al Maturitas 1998;28:243-49.

  13. Finkelstein JS et al J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93(3):861-68.

  14. Panay N. Post Reprod Health 2014;20:60-72.

  15. Utrogestan Consumer Medicine Information, April 2025.

  16. Women's Health Action. Menopause. Available at https://www.womens-health.org.nz/health-topics/menopause/. Accessed August 2023.

  17. Menopause Wellbeing, Stages of Menopause. Available at https://menopause.sexualwellbeing.org.nz/knowledge-hub/stages-of-menopause/. Accessed April 2026.

  18. Menopause Wellbeing, Understand Menopause. Available at https://www.women.govt.nz/making-menopause-work/understand-menopause. Accessed April 2026.

  19. Menopause Wellbeing, Menopause. Available at https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/womens-health/menopause. Accessed April 2026.