This page explains how the site chooses evidence and what current guidance broadly agrees on. It is not a research database; it is a plain-language map of where advice comes from and where certainty is stronger or weaker.
We prioritise official public-health guidance and clinical guidelines first, then peer-reviewed reviews, then specialist explainers from major medical organisations. In practice that means WHO, NHS, NICE, Mayo Clinic, 1177, and Finnish current-care and patient-information sources.
Menopause is usually identified clinically. Perimenopause often starts before periods stop. Common symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, concentration or memory difficulty, vaginal dryness, pain with sex, urinary symptoms, and period changes.
Major guidance describes HRT as an option for vasomotor symptoms where appropriate and supports menopause-specific CBT for some vasomotor, sleep, and mood symptoms. For genitourinary symptoms, vaginal oestrogen, moisturisers, and lubricants are common evidence-led discussion points.
The mental-health side of the menopause transition is real enough that major guidance and reviews treat it seriously. Low mood, anxiety, brain fog, sleep disruption, attention, and working-memory changes may all appear during the transition, while other causes still need consideration.
Content should be updated when major guidance changes and reviewed at least annually after launch. News items and science notes should keep source dates visible.
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