# Unpaused · Plain, practical menopause advice > Source: https://unpaused.cc/ ## Menopause, explained plainly Practical guides to perimenopause, symptoms, HRT, sleep, hot flashes and weight, with every health claim linked to the guidance behind it. [Start with perimenopause](/topics/perimenopause) [See all six topics](/topics) Topics ### Pick the question you came with A cycle gone strange, a night of sweats, a decision about HRT: each topic opens with a plain overview, then lists every guide on it. * [ Perimenopause Perimenopause symptoms and the first signs, how long the stage lasts, and hormone replacement therapy while periods continue. 2 guides ](/topics/perimenopause) * [ Symptoms Brain fog, anxiety, aches and other changes, and what each symptom usually means. 1 guide ](/topics/symptoms) * [ Hormone therapy (HRT) What HRT is, the forms it comes in, who it suits and how the risks really stack up. 5 guides ](/topics/hrt) * [ Hot flashes Why the heat comes on, and which treatments have trial evidence, with and without hormones. ](/topics/hot-flashes) * [ Sleep Why sleep breaks down in perimenopause and menopause, from sweating at night to 3am waking, and what helps you stay asleep. ](/topics/sleep) * [ Weight and diet Why weight changes in midlife, and how to eat for energy, bone strength and heart health. 2 guides ](/topics/weight-and-diet) ### Latest guides [Every guide, newest first](/articles) [ ](/articles/menopause-weight-gain) #### [Menopause weight gain and belly fat ](/articles/menopause-weight-gain) Weight gain in perimenopause and menopause is common, often at the waist. Menopause and HRT have not been shown to be the main cause of the extra pounds. 18 Oct 2026 [ ](/articles/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy) #### [Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy ](/articles/bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy) Bioidentical means the hormone molecule matches one the body makes. NHS body-identical HRT is a regulated medicine. Compounded mixes are not shown to be safer. 17 Oct 2026 [ ](/articles/will-hormone-replacement-therapy-cause-weight-gain) #### [Does HRT cause weight gain? What the trials show ](/articles/will-hormone-replacement-therapy-cause-weight-gain) HRT does not cause weight gain, according to a Cochrane review of 28 trials. Early bloating and fluid retention can feel like weight gain, and both usually settle. 17 Oct 2026 [ ](/articles/hrt-risks-in-plain-numbers-breast-cancer-clots-and-stroke-per-1-000-women) #### [HRT risks in plain numbers: extra cases per 1,000 ](/articles/hrt-risks-in-plain-numbers-breast-cancer-clots-and-stroke-per-1-000-women) Extra cases of breast cancer, blood clots and stroke per 1,000 women on hormone replacement therapy, by type, route and how long it is used. 17 Oct 2026 [ ](/articles/menopause-symptom-checklist-to-print-and-take-to-your-gp) #### [Menopause symptom checklist for your GP ](/articles/menopause-symptom-checklist-to-print-and-take-to-your-gp) A printable list of perimenopause and menopause symptoms, with how often each occurs and how much it bothers you, for a GP visit about hormone therapy. 17 Oct 2026 How we write ### Every claim comes with its source #### Guidance first Each guide follows NHS, NICE and The Menopause Society guidance, and the trials those sources cite. The link sits next to the claim, so you can open the original. #### No made-up stories You will not find invented patients, testimonials or "it worked for me" here. Where the evidence is thin, the guide says so. #### Your doctor decides with you We explain options and the questions worth asking. We never tell you to start or stop a medicine. Read the full [editorial policy](/editorial-policy). --- Plain, practical menopause advice Plain, practical guides to perimenopause and menopause: symptoms, hormone therapy, sleep, hot flashes, weight and food, each checked against health services and medical societies. [desk@unpaused.cc](mailto:desk@unpaused.cc) ### Topics * [Perimenopause](/topics/perimenopause) * [Symptoms](/topics/symptoms) * [Hormone therapy (HRT)](/topics/hrt) * [Hot flashes](/topics/hot-flashes) * [Sleep](/topics/sleep) * [Weight and diet](/topics/weight-and-diet) * [All guides](/articles) ### About us * [About](/about) * [Authors](/authors) * [Editorial policy](/editorial-policy) * [How we make money](/how-we-make-money) ### Legal * [Terms](/terms) * [Privacy](/privacy) * [Contact](/contact) Unpaused © 2026 Unpaused. General health information, written from sources we link. It does not replace advice from your own doctor, nurse or pharmacist. [How we make money](/how-we-make-money) [Editorial policy](/editorial-policy) [Who writes here](/authors)