Question's Men Are Afraid To Ask.

This section is to answer question's men are afraid to ask.

Helping men navigate the emotional and physical realities of living with a menopausal partner — and to help men understand what’s really going on..

Frequently asked questions

What Is Menopause (and Why It Matters for Men Too)?

Let’s get something straight — menopause isn’t an illness.
It’s a natural life stage that every woman goes through, usually between her mid-40s and mid-50s.

Put simply, menopause happens when a woman’s body stops producing as much oestrogen and progesterone — the hormones that control periods, fertility, and a whole lot more.

When her periods stop for 12 consecutive months, that’s menopause. Everything leading up to that — the years of unpredictable changes and symptoms — is called perimenopause.

It’s not “all in her head.” It’s all in her hormones — and those hormones affect everything from temperature to sleep to mood.

 

What’s Actually Happening Inside the Body?

During perimenopause, a woman’s ovaries slow down hormone production.
That hormonal rollercoaster causes a wide range of symptoms — and they can vary wildly from one woman to the next.

Some women breeze through it.
Others feel like they’ve been hit by a freight train.

What are the common Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause?

Physical Symptoms:

  • Hot flushes (sudden waves of heat that can leave her drenched)

  • Night sweats (often leading to broken sleep and exhaustion)

  • Cold spells (yes, some women feel freezing instead of hot)

  • Joint pain or stiffness

  • Weight changes

  • Dry skin or hair thinning

  • Heart palpitations

  • Loss of libido

  • Vaginal dryness or discomfort

  • Fatigue and low energy

 

Emotional & Cognitive Symptoms:

  • Mood swings or irritability

  • Anxiety or low mood

  • Brain fog (forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, losing words mid-sentence)

  • Loss of confidence or self-esteem

  • Crying more easily

  • Feeling disconnected or “not themselves”

 

Sleep Problems:

  • Difficulty falling asleep

  • Waking up frequently

  • Early morning waking

  • Feeling unrefreshed, even after a full night

What Helps?

There’s no single fix — but there are solutions.

  • HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): replaces lost hormones to relieve many symptoms.

  • Lifestyle changes: regular exercise, balanced diet, cutting down caffeine and alcohol.

  • Stress management: mindfulness, yoga, or even just quiet time.

  • Open communication: partners talking honestly about how it feels for both of them.

It’s not just about medication — it’s about support.
The women who do best through menopause are usually the ones who feel understood and backed up by those closest to them.

 

Why Should Men Care?

Because if she’s going through it, you’re going through it too — just from the other side of the duvet.

Menopause can test relationships, patience, and thermostats alike.
But when you know what’s happening, you can be part of the solution — not another source of stress.

Sometimes, what she really needs isn’t a fix — it’s a teammate.

 

How Long Does Menopause Last?

Menopause itself — the point when a woman’s periods have completely stopped for 12 months — is technically just one moment in time.

But the journey to get there (and beyond) can last years. Here’s the breakdown:

 

  • Perimenopause:
    This is the lead-up phase, when hormone levels start to fluctuate.
    It can last anywhere from 4 to 8 years, though some women experience symptoms for longer.
    Think of it as the “storm before the calm” — irregular periods, mood swings, hot flushes, brain fog, and the occasional urge to move to Iceland (for the cold, not the scenery).

  • Menopause:
    The official milestone — 12 months without a period. Usually hits between ages 45 and 55, with 51 being the average in the UK.

  • Post menopause:
    The years after menopause. Most symptoms start to ease, but some can linger for a few years (sleep issues, mood changes, dryness, temperature swings).
    The body is adjusting to a permanently lower hormone level, so things like bone health and heart health become more important.

 

So, in total?

For most women, the full journey — from first symptom to feeling “back to herself” — lasts about 7 to 10 years.

Yep, you read that right. It’s not a weekend job — it’s more of a marathon.

But here’s the good news: with proper care, medical support (like HRT), and a bit of patience (yours included), the toughest parts can be managed.

“Finally, a man talking sense.”
As a woman going through menopause myself, I started reading Men Living With Menopause expecting to roll my eyes — but I didn’t. Mark gets it. He manages to explain what we’re feeling in a way that helps men understand without making us the punchline.

My husband now reads it too, and for the first time in years, we’re actually talking about what’s going on.
Thank you, Mark — you’ve found a way to mix empathy with proper laugh-out-loud moments.
— Sarah T., Kent