A change for the better – women of a certain age discover a new lease of life

But they're not the only changes – and less well-known effects, like increased confidence, more energy and freedom from menstruation, prompt some women to herald menopause as the gateway to a new, better life. Women like Monica Troughton.

"I like the way the menopause is called 'the change', because it's creating the potential to make so many changes," she explains.

"It allows you to feel a genuine excitement about being alive again, as you're no longer at the mercy of a monthly cycle. There's nothing to fear at all."

The 57-year-old former secondary school teacher confesses that she too feared the menopause before it began in her late forties.

As with most women, the process took some years for Monica, who was around the average UK menopause age of 51 when her periods stopped completely.

Traditionally, a woman has reached the menopause when she hasn't had a period for 12 months. It occurs as a result of falling levels of the hormone oestrogen, which regulates a woman's periods.

This leads to physical and emotional symptoms, such as hot flushes and night sweats, eventually culminating in the end of egg production (ovulation).

Monica experienced symptoms such as migraines and poor sleep in the years before she stopped menstruating completely (peri-menopause).

She also had hot flushes when she drank red wine or ate chocolate.

But she says that once she'd accepted and dealt with her symptoms, she could enjoy the positive side of the menopause – more confidence, and feeling in control of her body, coupled with the benefits of ageing including financial security, and having the wisdom and confidence brought by life experience.

"You know that your body and mind is changing, and if you start to accept those changes, you're just not prepared to put up with second-rate things in your life any more," she says.

The bubbly grandmother speaks from experience – after the menopause, she gave up her teaching job, became a writer, and even wrote and performed in a two-woman comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival.

"I was terrified but it was just brilliant," she says. "It marked a new beginning – I was doing something that was so utterly different.

"There's a confidence that comes with the menopause that makes you want to do what's best for you and the people around you.

"It's something that will actually enhance your life."

As well as the comedy show, Monica also wrote a book, Magical Menopause, and dropped two dress sizes after cutting back on chocolate and alcohol due to the hot flushes.

"Now is the time to take the bull by the horns and really live,"she says. "We can change our minds about how we think of the menopause, and once we do that, it'll be a different experience."

She briefly tried hormone replacement therapy, acupuncture and alternative therapies as she dealt with her own symptoms and she stresses: "Some women do have severe symptoms which need managing, and sometimes they need more than just a pill.

"You have to explore what's going on, and how to make the best of your menopause."

She advises swapping tips on managing the physical and emotional effects with other women in the same position.

"There's tons written about the negative side of menopause, and it's not fair for young women to think they've got this thing to dread, when actually they shouldn't dread it."

Magical Menopause by Monica Troughton is published by Infinite Ideas, priced 12.99. To order a copy from the Yorkshire Post Bookshop call free on 0800 0153232 or go online at www.yorkshirepost bookshop.co.uk. Postage and packing is 2.75.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE MENOPAUSE

Take regular exercise

Limit caffeine, sugar, salt and alcohol

Don't smoke

Eat foods containing calcium and vitamin D

Get plenty of sleep

Eat a low-fat, well-balanced diet

Use hormone therapy if needed

Stay positive.