One aspect provides a method of controlling transmit power in a wireless device, wherein a desired transmit power is determined as a result of detection of a receive signal parameter. The method comprises detecting a desired maximum transmit power and generating a sequence of attenuation factors. The sequence is generated by monotonically increasing a variable at a controlled rate between a starting value and the maximum transmit power. The method further comprises using each attenuation factor in turn to: (a) reduce the measured value of the received signal power; and (b) reduce a determined desired value of the transmit power, where the transmit power is continually reduced as the variable is increased.