Menopause Symptoms: When to See a GP

Hot flushes at work, waking at 3am drenched in sweat, periods that arrive early, late or not at all: menopause symptoms can creep up slowly or arrive all at once. Many people are unsure whether what they are feeling is “just menopause” or something worth raising with a doctor.

This guide covers what is normal during the change, the signs that mean it is time to book, and what a GP appointment for menopause care at Juniper Avenue Medical Centre in Point Cook involves.

What menopause and perimenopause mean

Menopause is the last menstrual period. According to healthdirect, you have reached it once you have gone 12 months without a period, and the average age is 51.

Perimenopause is the stretch leading up to that final period, and it lasts until 12 months after it. Jean Hailes for Women's Health says most women in Australia, around 3 in 4, reach natural menopause between 45 and 55, and that perimenopause usually starts at around 47 and lasts 4 to 6 years on average, though it can be shorter or longer. This is often when symptoms first appear, while periods are still coming, just less predictably.

Menopause before 40 is called premature menopause, and between 40 and 45 it is called early menopause.

Common menopause symptoms

No two experiences are the same. Jean Hailes estimates that around 1 in 4 women have no menopausal symptoms and around 1 in 4 have severe ones, with everyone else somewhere in between. Symptoms that are commonly reported include:

• hot flushes and night sweats
• trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep
• changes to your periods: irregular, shorter or longer cycles, or a change in flow
• low mood, mood swings, anxiety or irritability
• forgetfulness, trouble concentrating and “brain fog”
• muscle and joint aches, and headaches or migraines
• dry, itchy skin
• vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex and bladder problems

Changes to your periods, such as irregular cycles or a change in flow, are a hallmark of perimenopause, and symptoms can begin while periods are still coming.

How long do menopause symptoms last?

There is no fixed timeline. The Australasian Menopause Society notes that hot flushes and night sweats affect about 75% of postmenopausal women, and a quarter of those are severely affected. Flushes may settle in 2 to 5 years, but the median duration is 7 years.

Vaginal and bladder symptoms behave differently. They often continue after flushes have eased, and the society notes they are often “suffered in silence” because people can be reluctant to mention them. They are common, and a GP can help.

When to see a GP about menopause symptoms

You do not need to wait until symptoms are unbearable. Book an appointment if:

• symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life, including work, exercise, sleep or relationships
• you are younger than 45 and your periods have become irregular or have stopped
• you are feeling anxious or low, or finding it hard to cope
• you are not sure whether you still need contraception
• you would like to talk about treatment, including menopause hormone therapy

Pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause, even when periods are irregular, so keep using contraception if you do not want to become pregnant and ask your doctor when it is safe to stop.

It helps to keep a record of your symptoms before the visit. Jean Hailes suggests a journal covering at least 3 months, noting when symptoms happened and how they affected you. Bring it along with a list of your medicines.

Bleeding after menopause and other urgent signs

Once you have gone 12 months without a period, any vaginal bleeding, spotting or staining is not normal. It needs to be checked by a doctor, even if it is light or happens only once. Book a GP appointment promptly rather than waiting to see if it happens again.

If you need urgent medical help, for example sudden, very heavy bleeding or you feel faint, call triple zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department. For health advice at any hour, the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 has a registered nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The clinic’s after-hours service is 13 SICK (13 7425).

What happens at a menopause appointment

Your GP will ask about your periods, your symptoms and how they are affecting you, along with your medical and family history. Expect a blood pressure check and, where needed, blood tests or a referral. Dorevitch Pathology has a collection centre on site, so tests can often be done on the same day.

Since 1 July 2025, GPs have been able to use a Medicare item for a menopause health assessment. It is available once a year for people with perimenopause, menopause, early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency, and it runs for at least 20 minutes. It covers your history, a basic examination including blood pressure, any tests or referrals you need, your management options with their risks and benefits, a management plan, and advice on physical activity, smoking, alcohol, nutrition and weight.

Because it needs a longer appointment, mention it when you book. Juniper Avenue Medical Centre is a mixed billing clinic: some consultations may have an out-of-pocket fee and each practitioner sets their own fees, so check the Fees page or ask reception before your visit.

Healthdirect notes that menopause hormone therapy may reduce hot flushes, night sweats and sleep problems. Whether it suits you depends on your health history, and your GP can talk through the benefits and risks with you.

Looking after your bones, heart and mood

Menopause brings changes that last well beyond the symptoms. Falling hormone levels increase the risk of bone thinning, and Jean Hailes notes that the fastest bone loss happens around menopause and in the early years after it. Our osteoporosis page explains how bone health is checked.

Before menopause, women have a lower risk of heart disease than men; after menopause, and with age, that risk rises. Weight gain around this time can add to it. Our heart health check page explains what is involved.

Mood matters too. If anxiety or low mood is part of the picture, your GP can support you through our anxiety and depression care, and it can be raised in the same visit as your other women's health concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my symptoms are menopause?

Changes to your periods, such as irregular cycles or a change in flow, are a hallmark of perimenopause, and hot flushes, night sweats and poor sleep are common. A GP can look at your symptoms and history with you.

Is bleeding after menopause ever normal?

No. Any bleeding, spotting or staining after you have gone 12 months without a period should be checked by a doctor. Book an appointment promptly.

Do I still need contraception during perimenopause?

Yes, if you do not want to become pregnant. Pregnancy can still happen while periods are irregular. Ask your GP when it is safe to stop.

What is the Medicare menopause health assessment?

Since 1 July 2025, GPs can provide a yearly assessment of at least 20 minutes for people with perimenopause, menopause, early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. Ask for a longer appointment when you book.

Final thoughts

Menopause symptoms are common, but that does not mean you have to put up with them. If they are affecting your sleep, work, relationships or mood, or if you have any bleeding after menopause, it is time to talk to a GP.

Juniper Avenue Medical Centre at 2 Juniper Ave, Point Cook is open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm. You can book online through HealthEngine or call reception, and ask for a longer appointment if you would like a full menopause assessment.