Menopause Awareness Month 101
Written by Megan Marshall. Reviewed by the JulieMay product and garment-tech team.
Quick answer: Menopause is when your ovaries slow oestrogen and progesterone production, and it is confirmed 12 months after your last period; the lead-up is perimenopause (often starting in your 40s) and the years after are postmenopause. Common symptoms include irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, vaginal dryness and new skin or fabric sensitivities. Lifestyle changes, soft breathable fabrics, and medical options like HRT can all help.
Menopause Awareness Month was created to shine a light on a natural transition that too often goes unspoken. Hot flushes are only one small part of a much bigger story. Menopause includes emotional shifts, physical changes and, for many women, moments of newfound confidence.
Throughout Menopause Awareness Month, we hope women learn that menopause is not an ending but a transition into a newfound sense of self-understanding.
It's time to replace whispers with honest conversations about a life stage every woman will experience. Here we explore practical ways to make this chapter one of wellness and confidence.
What's really happening inside your body during menopause
Menopause is the time when your ovaries gradually slow the production of oestrogen and progesterone (the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle). As these hormone levels decline, your periods become irregular, and eventually, after 12 months without one, you've reached menopause. The years leading up to that point are known as perimenopause, and everything after is called postmenopause.
It's important to note that this process isn't the same for everyone. It can depend on genetics, lifestyle, race and even your environment. Some women experience more substantial shifts in mood, energy and comfort than others.
Perimenopause: early signs and typical timeline
Perimenopause is the body's way of easing into menopause. It often begins in your 40s, but for some women symptoms can appear even earlier. You might notice your periods becoming unpredictable (sometimes heavier, sometimes lighter) or realise you're waking up at night covered in sweat. Hot flushes, brain fog, mood swings and changes in sleep or libido are also common signals that hormones are shifting. This transition can last anywhere from a few months to several years before your final period arrives.
Common physical changes you might notice
As oestrogen levels decline, your body starts to change in noticeable ways:
- Periods may become unpredictable before they stop altogether.
- Hot flushes or night sweats can catch you off guard.
- You may develop new allergies and intolerances to foods and fabrics.
- You may experience dryness or discomfort during sex as vaginal tissue becomes thinner.
- Weight might shift to the midsection, and muscle tone can be harder to maintain.
Common emotional and cognitive changes you might notice
Menopause doesn't just affect the body. It can stir up the mind and spirit too. Many women notice waves of irritability, anxiety or brain fog that seem to come out of nowhere. But there's another side to this shift that often gets overlooked: a sense of clarity and freedom. As hormones settle into new rhythms, many women describe feeling lighter, more authentic and far less concerned with pleasing others. This is real, and it's part of the emotional rebalancing that supports long-term mental wellbeing.
A member of the JulieMay community, Michelle, shared with us that menopause brought confidence and a new sense of freedom, even after years of uncertainty and symptoms she didn't initially recognise.
How to manage menopause symptoms
While menopause is a natural transition, there's plenty you can do to feel your best along the way. Small, consistent changes can make a big difference.
Lifestyle changes to manage menopause
Focus on what the International Menopause Society calls the six pillars of lifestyle medicine:
- Nourishing foods
- Regular movement
- Quality sleep
- Emotional wellbeing
- Supportive relationships
- Avoiding risky habits like smoking
JulieMay lingerie can support some of these pillars by offering a sense of comfort, because when your body is running warm or your skin feels extra sensitive, comfort becomes everything. Choosing soft, breathable fabrics can make a real difference.
JulieMay's nightdress and pure-silk cami offer cool, gentle comfort whether you're resting or relaxing, while our Valentina bra (available in both underwired and non-wired styles) provides support without sacrificing softness.
Medical support for managing menopause
Medical options such as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT or HRT) can relieve hot flushes, improve sleep and prevent bone loss, especially when started before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause. Non-hormonal treatments, vaginal moisturisers or laser therapies can also help with any dryness or discomfort you may experience.
Sonia, another member of our JulieMay community, shared that while her hysterectomy made her path to menopause unique, she felt relief in no longer having periods. The hardest part, she said, was the fuzzy brain and unexpected weight gain, but hormone therapy helped her feel like herself again. She called it a game changer.
Managing menopause is possible, and it's important to reach out to your doctor if something feels off. Heavy or prolonged bleeding, bleeding after menopause, or sudden changes in mood or sleep all deserve attention. Most of the time, menopause is diagnosed based on your symptoms and medical history, though tests can help if there's uncertainty. It may take some trial and error to find what works best for you, but the key is shared decision-making with your healthcare provider.
Embrace menopause with confidence, comfort and clarity
Understanding the science, listening to your body and exploring evidence-based options for managing menopause turns awareness into action. Every woman's journey is unique, but none of us walks it alone. Share your story, speak with your clinician, and keep lifting each other up. To learn more, explore these trusted sources:
Please note: this article is for general information and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If menopause symptoms are affecting your daily life, speak to your GP or a menopause specialist.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, when hormones fluctuate and symptoms begin. Menopause is reached once you've gone 12 months without a period; everything after is postmenopause.
What are the most common menopause symptoms?
Irregular periods, hot flushes and night sweats, mood swings, brain fog, sleep changes, vaginal dryness, new skin or fabric sensitivities, and shifts in weight and libido.
How can I manage menopause symptoms naturally?
Focus on nourishing food, regular movement, good sleep, emotional wellbeing, supportive relationships and avoiding smoking, and choose soft, breathable fabrics for comfort. HRT and other medical options can help too.
When should I see a doctor?
If symptoms affect daily life, or you have heavy or prolonged bleeding, any bleeding after menopause, or sudden mood or sleep changes, see your GP or a menopause specialist.
Last updated: June 2026.
