Myth busting

Time to discover information you can rely upon.

In this article we cover some of the most common myths around perimenopause, menopause, HRT, Breast Cancer and more. 

Read on to find the truth about these statements - simply click on the Myth that you'd like to know more about!

False.

Hot flushes are just one of approximately 34 common symptoms of menopause. Figures vary, but roughly 40% of women experience hot flushes* - so they’re common but not every woman gets them. Our founder Katie Taylor is one of many women who has never experienced hot flushes.

Therefore, it’s still worth seeing a doctor about your symptoms even if you don’t experience the ‘classic symptoms’ that you might have heard mentioned in menopause.

False.

Many perimenopausal symptoms can begin long before your periods stop. In fact, the end of your periods (12 months without a period) is the signal that you have gone through menopause. However, perimenopause symptoms can last anything up to four to 10 years before that.

False.

While the average age of menopause is around 51 years old in both the UK and US, it can happen earlier too. If you are under the age of 45 and experiencing symptoms that affect you it is still worth visiting your GP as a blood test can help confirm if your symptoms are linked to perimenopause and menopause. 

Menopause can happen much earlier in life too. Around 1% of women under 40 years old will go through the menopause. Occasionally, teenage girls will go through menopause too. 

What’s more, menopause can happen at many other ages and stages of life due to other causes:

  • Surgical menopause can trigger menopause in a woman at the age that the surgery happens
  • Chemotherapy can trigger menopause
  • A trans man may still go through perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms either as a result of natural ageing or due to surgery as part of gender reassignment.

False.

After the age of 45 years old, your GP should be able to confirm you are perimenopausal or menopausal using your symptoms alone. Under the age of 45 it is useful to have a blood test to measure your follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels which can indicate if you are perimenopausal.

False. 

Testosterone is very important to women and is another hormone (alongside oestrogen and progesterone) that declines as we age. It’s really important for our energy levels and libido (sexual desire). Unfortunately, it isn’t yet licensed in the UK.

The General Medical Council in the UK state that doctors can however prescribe products that are not licensed,if there is sufficient evidence to support its use and it is safe.

The NICE Guidance on menopause states that testosterone can be safely considered for those women who need it.

Testosterone can be prescribed on the NHS, if the prescriber is familiar with it and is willing to prescribe it ‘off licence’. Some doctors prefer not to take this decision themselves and instead refer to a specialist for advice. Most private menopause specialists will and are able to prescribe it. Find out more.

It depends.

Antidepressants should not be given as first-line treatment for menopause. Unfortunately menopause is commonly misdiagnosed as depression - with up to 66% of women offered antidepressants instead of HRT. Of course, some women may experience mental health illness that coincides with menopause and therefore need antidepressants during this time. However, antidepressants should not be prescribed specifically to treat menopause initially because the underlying issue of low mood in menopause is caused by hormone levels. 

Antidepressants can be added when you are stable on HRT and if your mood is still low. Antidepressants also have an important role in women who can’t take HRT or don’t wish to take HRT. There is evidence that antidepressants can be very helpful with vasomotor symptoms of menopause (such as hot flushes).

False.

For the vast majority of women HRT is safe to take and the benefits outweigh any risks. We have explored this topic in depth in our Treatment Options resource area - where you can review the facts and research for yourself before making a decision.

False.

Many women who have survived breast cancer take HRT, after having an informed joint discussion with their dr, because they have decided the benefits of HRT outweigh their individual risks. We have interviewed some of these women such as Dr Tina Peers and TV broadcaster Kirsty Lang. Leading oncologist Dr Avrum Bluming has also studied the risks and benefits of HRT specifically for women who have had breast cancer and you can watch his conclusions in these video highlights. 

Remember statistics can be deceiving too. Let’s take an example. Suppose you are told your risk level is double that of the average woman. That sounds so scary doesn’t it?

That’s why it’s always best to ask for the ‘absolute numbers’ - i.e if there were 1000 women, the average risk level might be 2 in 1,000. So if you are told that your risk is double that - that’s 4 in 1,000. While this is clearly a higher risk, it’s a lot less scary sounding than what you might have heard without those exact numbers. 

Always ask for the benefits too of your medication so that you can make an informed decision about whether the benefits will outweigh the risks. 

False.

Lifestyle factors - good levels of exercise, healthy nutrition (and possibly supplements), good sleep and reduced stress - are all very important during menopause. They can all help reduce menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms. For many women this may be sufficient if their menopausal symptoms are mild.

However, HRT is the only treatment option that can replace the lost hormones that our body no longer produces as we age. Therefore HRT is the only treatment option that can provide the protection against osteoporosis, heart disease and Alzheimers that become risk factors once our protective hormone levels drop.

Do you have any more myths you'd like us to include in our myth buster section? Let us know!

You might also like to read

10 top tips for tackling menopause symptoms at work

Around 42% of working women consider leaving their workplaces due to menopause. 
You might have to do things for yourself to make you more comfortable, but other times, you should be able to rely on your workplace.

Read More
25/10/2023

What you need to know about menopause and heart palpitations

Menopause carries a wave of various symptoms, ranging from hot flushes to night sweats and sleep problems. 

One that's not widely talked about is heart palpitations. It catches people off guard and may be immediately associated with heart disease, causing a higher degree of anxiety.

Read More
26/09/2023

70% of midlife women spend less than five hours a week on their own needs, self-care & hobbies

A new poll by The Midlife Festival and The Latte Lounge has found that the so-called ‘sandwich generation’ lifestyle is leaving the majority of women over 40-years-old with little time for their own self-care and wellbeing.

Read More
26/09/2023

HRT in the UK: Essential information you need to know

Are you considering if HRT in the UK is the right choice for you? With numerous treatment options available for the perimenopause and menopause, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Keep reading for our guide on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a treatment that can help to alleviate menopause symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

Read More
21/09/2023

It's back! Join us for The Midlife Festival 2023

25+ speakers. Five days of talks. All online and all for free. Coming this October!

Read More
08/09/2023

Menopause, leg pain and muscle tension: 8 tips for relief

The perimenopause brings with it many physical symptoms. As your oestrogen levels drop, you stop menstruating, and you may experience mood shifts, dry skin or changes in weight. While these signs vary for each of us, a common complaint among those going through menopause is leg pain and muscle tension.

Read More
25/08/2023

9 tips for caring for itchy skin in menopause

We deep dive on one unpleasant menopause symptom that often gets overlooked – dry, itchy skin.

This discomforting symptom is associated with decreasing oestrogen levels in the body.

Read how oestrogen impacts skin health and how you can help your itchy skin during menopause.

Read More
21/08/2023

Menopause advice: Caring for skin & breast sensitivity

How can you deal with the skin sensitivity that comes with menopause?
What can you do to alleviate menopause-induced breast sensitivity, soreness and tenderness?
How to keep cool during a hot flush?
Why are these changes happening in the first place?
You probably have a lot of questions. We discuss these and more in this brief guide on breast sensitivity: menopause edition.

Read More
04/08/2023
1 2 3 49

NEWS, TIPS & OFFERS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

Discover More

Menopause Resources

Find a menopause specialist, download our symptom checker, tips on preparing for your GP visit and so much more.

HRT and Tailored Menopause Support

Speak to the team at The Latte Lounge+ powered by Stella

Menopause Support for Employers

Speak to us about how we can help you support employees affected by menopause symptoms.

Join our Facebook Community

The original home of The Latte Lounge - our private group of more than 25,000 women discussing all things midlife.

magnifiercross-circle