Menopause is the point when a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently, confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a period and no other medical cause.

The average age of menopause in Singapore is around 49, slightly earlier than the global average of approximately 51. Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55.

Studies show that around 6 in 10 women aged 40 to 60 in Singapore experience at least one moderate to severe menopausal symptom.

Several factors can influence when menopause occurs, including:

Menopause that occurs before the age of 40 is known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). It may result from autoimmune conditions, genetic factors, or medical treatments that affect the ovaries.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transitional stage before menopause, typically beginning in a woman's mid-40s. During this phase, oestrogen levels fluctuate unpredictably, which can cause irregular periods, changes in menstrual flow, and the onset of symptoms such as hot flushes and sleep disturbances.

Menopause

Menopause is a single point in time, confirmed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without menstruation and no other medical cause. At this stage, the ovaries have largely stopped releasing eggs and producing oestrogen.

Post-menopause

Post-menopause refers to the years following menopause. While some symptoms may improve during this stage, the long-term effects of lower oestrogen levels on bone density, heart health, and metabolism become more significant.

The menopausal transition typically lasts several years, beginning with the early signs of perimenopause and continuing into the post-menopausal years. Perimenopause itself usually lasts 4 to 8 years.

The duration of menopause symptoms varies between individuals. Hot flushes, the most commonly reported symptom, last an average of about 7 years, although some women may experience them for a decade or longer. Other symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, may persist or develop later during post-menopause if left unaddressed.

Menopause symptoms result from fluctuating and declining oestrogen levels and can vary widely in type and severity. Not every woman will experience all of these symptoms, and some may go through menopause with relatively mild changes.

Common Symptoms

• Hot flushes – Sudden feelings of warmth in the face, neck, and chest, sometimes accompanied by sweating and a rapid heartbeat.
• Night sweats – Hot flushes that occur during sleep and may disrupt rest, often leading to daytime fatigue.
• Sleep disturbances – Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often linked to night sweats and hormonal changes affecting sleep regulation.
• Irregular periods – Menstrual cycles may become heavier, lighter, more frequent, or more widely spaced during perimenopause.
• Mood changes – Irritability, anxiety, and low mood, often associated with hormonal fluctuations and sleep disruption.
• Vaginal dryness – Reduced oestrogen can thin the vaginal lining, leading to dryness, discomfort, and sometimes pain during intercourse.

Other Symptoms

• Weight gain – Hormonal shifts and age-related metabolic changes may lead to increased abdominal fat.
• Difficulty concentrating – Often described as "brain fog", this may result from hormonal changes, poor sleep, or both.
• Joint and muscle aches – Declining oestrogen levels, which normally have anti-inflammatory effects, may contribute to stiffness and discomfort.
• Urinary changes – Thinning of the urethral lining may cause more frequent urination or increase susceptibility to urinary tract infections.
• Hair thinning – Hormonal changes can affect hair growth cycles, leading to thinner hair or increased shedding.

Vaginal and urinary symptoms are collectively referred to as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).

Cardiovascular Disease

Before menopause, oestrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and supports blood vessels. After menopause, LDL ("bad") cholesterol often rises while HDL ("good") cholesterol may fall, which can increase cardiovascular risk.

Regular heart check-ups, including monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels, become more important during this stage.

Metabolic Changes

The risk of type 2 diabetes increases after menopause, partly due to weight redistribution and changes in how the body responds to insulin. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity can help reduce this risk.

Menopause is usually diagnosed based on symptoms and menstrual history. For those over 45 who have not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, further testing is usually not required.

Hormone blood tests may be useful in certain situations, including when:

• Suspecting Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
• Women under 45 years of age who have had a hysterectomy
• Other conditions, such as thyroid disorders or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), need to be ruled out

Because hormone levels can fluctuate during perimenopause, blood test results may sometimes need to be interpreted alongside symptoms and menstrual history.

Menopause symptoms can often be managed through a combination of medical treatments, non-hormonal therapies, and lifestyle changes. The most appropriate approach depends on the severity of symptoms, overall health, and personal preferences.

Non-Hormonal Options

For women who cannot or prefer not to use MHT, several non-hormonal treatments may help relieve symptoms.

These may include certain medications that reduce hot flushes, vaginal moisturisers or lubricants for dryness, and therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help with sleep problems and mood changes.

Lifestyle Approaches

Lifestyle adjustments can also help manage menopause symptoms and support long-term health. Examples include:

• Regular exercise – Supports bone health, cardiovascular fitness, mood, and weight management.
• Balanced diet – Adequate calcium and vitamin D support bone strength.
• Healthy sleep habits – Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and keeping the bedroom cool may improve sleep quality.
• Stress management – Practices such as mindfulness, yoga, or breathing exercises may help with mood and sleep.
• Trigger avoidance – Some women find that spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, or hot environments worsen hot flushes.

You should consider seeing a doctor if symptoms significantly disrupt daily life, occur unusually early, or involve abnormal bleeding.

Consider seeing a doctor if you experience:

• Hot flushes or night sweats that severely affect sleep or daily activities
• Persistent sleep problems or ongoing fatigue
• Mood changes, including anxiety or low mood
• Vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse affecting quality of life
• Irregular or heavy bleeding, particularly bleeding after menopause
• Menopause symptoms before age 45, which may indicate early menopause
• Concerns about long-term health risks, such as bone loss or heart disease

A consultation helps determine whether menopause or another condition may be causing your symptoms and whether treatment may be helpful.

At ATA Medical, we offer consultation, hormone testing, and follow-up care for women experiencing menopause symptoms, with the following prices:

Test / Treatment	Price*^
Consultation	From $65.40
Hormone & Deficiency Testing
Estradiol / Oestrogen (E2)	$32.70
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)	$32.70
Thyroid Function Test (TSH)	$32.70
Vitamin D Deficiency Test	$130.80
DEXA Bone Densitometry	$141.70
Comprehensive Deficiency / Hair Loss Screen Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity, % Iron Saturation, Ferritin, Zinc, Magnesium, Free T4, TSH	$263.78
Women Wellness (Full Body Screening)	From $152
Breast Health Screening
Mammogram	$239.80
Ultrasound Breast	$163.50
Mammogram with Ultrasound Breast	$327
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Systemic MHT (Oral Tablets) – Tibolone	$75.21
Systemic MHT (Oral Tablets) – Progesterone	$43.60
Systemic MHT (Transdermal Oestrogen Gel)	$35.97
Local Vaginal Oestrogen Therapy (Vaginal Tablet)	$70.85

*Prices are NETT and inclusive of GST.
^Prices last updated on Apr 29, 2026. While every effort is made to keep pricing information up to date, please contact our team to confirm the latest rates.

For a more comprehensive assessment, you can consider our health screening packages which include relevant blood tests and bone density screening.

At ATA Medical, we strive to make a meaningful impact on every patient's health. With over 150,000 patients served, we are dedicated to fostering trust and enhancing well-being across our community.