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What Are The 34 Symptoms Of Menopause?
Dr Donald Grant
MB ChB DRCOG MRCGP Dip.orth.med GMC 3058367
GP & Clinical Advisor
Symptoms of the menopause can vary significantly from woman to woman. It’s common to feel irritable, tired or more emotional, but the decline in your hormone levels could also cause a range of physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, joint pain, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
In most cases, the menopause has no clear beginning or end. It normally affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, though it could start earlier and continue for longer.
Getting to know the signs of menopause could help you understand what happens during menopause and how your body may change as you go through this significant life change. Here, we take a look at 34 menopause signs and symptoms, starting with the changes you’re most likely to experience.
Key Takeaway 1
Menopause symptoms vary greatly between women
Key Takeaway 2
Symptoms may begin years before periods stop completely
Key Takeaway 3
Help and treatment are available for managing symptoms
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Common Physical Symptoms Of Menopause
During the menopause, your body will start to produce less oestrogen and less progesterone. This drop in hormone levels is responsible for many of the physical symptoms you experience during the menopause.
Often, there are ways to minimise these symptoms and manage their impact. Getting plenty of rest, exercising and generally looking after yourself may help. You could also try menopause supplements or hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
1. Hot Flushes
Hot flushes are one of the most common symptoms of the menopause. During a hot flush, you may feel intense heat in your face, neck and chest. You may also sweat a lot while the hot flush is happening, possibly causing you to feel cold afterwards. Some women report that their hot flush makes them feel sick and dizzy.
Losing weight, getting more exercise and avoiding spicy foods may help to minimise flushes. You could also try wearing very light layers to keep your body cool.
2. Night Sweats
Night sweats are closely related to hot flushes. If you experience a hot flush at night, when you’re in bed, under a warm duvet, you’re likely to sweat a lot. This could cause your sheets to become damp and may make you feel cold once the hot flush is over.
Wearing very light pyjamas and swapping your warm duvet for lighter covers could help you minimise the impact of night sweats.
3. Irregular Periods
A change to the normal pattern of your periods is often one of the very first signs of menopause. Your periods may become harder to predict and could also be longer or shorter, heavier or lighter. You may find that you start to skip months altogether.
Irregular periods happen because your ovaries are almost out of eggs and your hormone levels are beginning to change. Eventually, your periods will stop altogether.
If your bleeding is extremely heavy, and you need to change pads or tampons every few hours, it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor.
4. Fatigue
When you go through the menopause, you may find you feel constantly tired. This fatigue could make it hard to concentrate, work and take care of your everyday needs.
There are a few things that contribute to fatigue during the menopause. Night sweats can make it harder to get good quality sleep, and you may find it more difficult to switch off and fall asleep.
Getting plenty of exercise, eating soy-rich foods and avoiding spicy meals could help you get more sleep and boost your energy levels.
5. Dizziness
The hormonal changes you experience during menopause could cause dizziness and nausea. Insomnia and fatigue may also make you feel dizzy or cause dizzy spells.
While dizziness is a symptom of the menopause, it can also be caused by other things, such as an ear infection. So, if you are experiencing dizziness regularly, it may be a good idea to speak to a doctor.
Emotional And Mental Menopausal Changes
As well as physical symptoms, you’re likely to experience a number of emotional and psychological changes during the menopause. You may start to feel more irritable or more anxious. You may also feel a sense of sadness or melancholy even when there’s nothing wrong.
These emotional and mental symptoms are often the result of changing hormone levels. Your hormones have a significant impact on your moods, so, as they begin to drop, your emotions and mental state may become less predictable.
6. Mood Swings
During the menopause, your oestrogen levels will begin to drop. This could cause you to feel irritated, anxious and tearful, especially when you’re tired or feeling stressed.
These feelings could come on suddenly and may be very intense. You may find it harder to be patient with loved ones and could lose your temper more easily.
Getting as much sleep as possible, eating well and exercising may lessen mood swings and help you cope with the emotional impact of menopause.
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7. Irritability
Increased irritability is a common symptom of menopause. The hormonal changes you’re going through could cause you to feel angry and may make you less patient and more irritable.
Getting plenty of rest, and taking some time to look after yourself, may reduce irritability during the menopause. You could also try therapy, mindfulness or meditation.
8. Anxiety
Anxiety during menopause can be caused by a number of things including a drop in your hormone levels, life changes and interrupted sleep.
This anxiety can take a lot of different forms. You may feel out of control or overwhelmed. You may develop a fear of dying or you could find your anxiety is not related to anything specific. Speak to a doctor if your anxiety starts to impact your daily life.
9. Depression
Depression is another common symptom of menopause. Again, this is often triggered by changes in your hormone levels and could happen at any time during the menopause.
Exercise, a balanced diet and plenty of socialising could all help you to feel a little better. Taking supplements that are specifically aimed at menopausal women could also help to ease your depression. Have a look at the best supplements for menopause to see if there’s a product that could help.
10. Memory Problems
A lot of women say they experience memory problems, or ‘brain fog’ during the menopause. Like many of the emotional and mental symptoms of the menopause, forgetfulness is linked to a drop in your levels of oestrogen.
You may find it more difficult to concentrate and could forget things more easily. This could increase your anxiety levels and could also contribute to feelings of depression.
Memory problems can happen at any stage of the menopause. If you find forgetfulness is impacting your daily life, speak to a doctor about your treatment options.
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Sleep And Energy Changes During Menopause
A lot of women going through the menopause experience sleep problems and changes to their energy levels. These symptoms are closely linked and could have a real impact on your ability to work, socialise and cope with everyday life.
11. Insomnia
During the menopause, you may wake up during the night and find it difficult to switch off your thoughts and get back to sleep. This could lead to insomnia and make it harder for you to get enough rest. Practicing mindfulness or meditation could ease your insomnia and help you drift off to sleep.
12. Sleep Disruption
There are lots of different things that could disrupt your sleep during the menopause. Night sweats, anxiety and hot flushes could all make sleep more difficult.
If you’re experiencing sleep disruption during the menopause, getting lots of exercise could help. Avoiding caffeinated drinks, keeping your bedroom cool and wearing light, breathable pyjamas could make it easier to sleep and get the rest you need.
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Body Changes
You may also notice changes to your body during menopause. Some women find they put on weight, feel bloated and notice their hair becomes thinner and more brittle.
These changes are very common, though you may still find them worrying or upsetting. Supplements and menopause/HRT treatments could help to ease your physical symptoms of menopause.
13. Weight Changes
The decrease in oestrogen and progesterone you experience during menopause, combined with general aging, could trigger metabolic changes that may lead to weight gain. You could find you gain weight even if you continue to eat well and exercise. It may also be more difficult to lose any weight you do put on.
14. Bloating
Your declining hormone levels might make your food pass more slowly through your gastrointestinal tract, causing you to feel bloated and possibly a little sick.
Drinking lots of water and getting plenty of exercise can help to improve digestion and reduce bloating. If this doesn’t work, speak to a doctor about possible treatment options.
15. Skin Changes
Skin changes are very common during menopause. Your skin may become dry, thin and itchy. You may also experience acne, bruising and facial hair growth.
Some of these changes will be visible, but others will only be noticeable when you touch your skin. Using a specialist moisturiser and staying hydrated may help improve the condition of your skin and reduce visible signs of menopause
16. Hair Thinning
Hormonal changes are likely to be behind any hair thinning or hair loss you experience during the menopause. Though other factors, like stress, underlying health conditions and nutritional deficiencies, could also play a part.
There are some supplements that are designed to help protect your follicles and keep hair strong. Eating a nutritious diet and reducing your stress levels could also ease any menopause-related hair issues.
17. Osteoporosis
Your bone density will start to decrease as your oestrogen levels decline and will continue to drop after the menopause. This could put you at risk of osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become thinner, more porous and more likely to fracture.
Getting lots of calcium and vitamin D could help to improve your bone health during menopause.
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Intimate Health Changes
More than a third of women say they experience changes to their sex drive and intimate health during menopause. Again, this is largely down to hormones, particularly declining levels of oestrogen.
These changes could impact your relationship with your partner and may also affect your mental health. There are some treatments that could help with intimate health issues, so speak to your doctor or pharmacist, or take a look at our menopause guides, if they’re impacting you.
18. Vaginal Dryness
Declining oestrogen levels may cause the tissue in your vagina to become thinner. It could then become inflamed, causing itching, dryness and pain during penetrative sex.
Vaginal dryness can have a real impact on intimacy, so it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Vaginal moisturisers or lubricants may help. There are also a number of prescription-only treatments that could ease dryness and help to restore intimacy.
19. Changes In Sex Drive
During menopause, you may find your libido drops and you have less interest in sex. You may also have trouble reaching orgasm. Again, these changes are caused by your declining levels of oestrogen and progesterone.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could help to improve your sex drive. Talking to your partner about your changing needs could improve communication and help you feel more comfortable.
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Lesser-Known Menopause Symptoms
As well as common menopause symptoms like hot flushes, weight gain and vaginal dryness, you may experience a range of other, lesser-known issues.
Knowing which symptoms may be caused by the menopause could help you find the support and treatment you need. It may also give you a better idea of what’s happening to your body as you go through this significant life change.
20. Bladder Problems
The drop in oestrogen you experience during menopause could cause the lining of your urethra (the tube that lets urine leave your body) to become thinner. Your pelvic floor muscles may also become weaker. As a result, you may need to urinate more, and could find it more difficult to hold in your urine when your bladder is full.
These bladder issues can impact your everyday life, especially if you become incontinent or have regular accidents. There are special pads and types of underwear that can help to soak up urine and prevent odour. Doing pelvic floor exercises, losing weight and avoiding caffeine may also help to ease your bladder issues.
21. Muscle Tension
Muscle pain is a common menopause symptom. Your reduced levels of oestrogen and progesterone could lead to increased pain sensitivity. Dropping hormone levels could also cause problems in your cartilage and tendons. You may feel this as pain in your muscles and stiffness in your joints.
Stretching, taking pain relief and using anti-inflammatory medication could help. Losing weight may also reduce the stress on your muscles and help to ease your pain.
22. Headaches
You may find you experience hormone-related headaches or migraines as you go through the menopause. These may feel like a throbbing or pulsing in the head. They could also make you feel sick and increase your sensitivity to light.
Using medications that are designed for migraines could provide some relief from menopause headaches. Staying hydrated, exercising and getting plenty of sleep could also help.
23. Joint Pain
Around half of women say they experience joint pain when going through the menopause. You may find your joints feel stiff, or you might feel aches, shooting pains or twinges.
Losing weight and doing lots of joint-strengthening exercises might help. So could acupuncture, HRT and a number of over-the-counter supplements and medications.
24. Breast Tenderness
Breast tenderness is another very common menopause symptom. As well as tenderness, you may experience burning, soreness, throbbing or sharp stabbing pains.
Wearing a well-fitting bra could help. Avoiding tobacco products (like cigarettes) and cutting out caffeine could also ease discomfort.
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25. Digestive Issues
The menopause could slow down your digestion. This may result in issues like bloating, constipation and stomach pain or cramps. Regular exercise could ease digestive issues. Eating lots of fibre and taking probiotics may also reduce bloating and help you feel better.
26. Heart Palpitations
Your declining levels of oestrogen may cause your heart to beat faster and cause palpitations. Though this may be a little worrying, it’s not normally dangerous. Though if you’re concerned, it’s always best to speak to a doctor.
Strengthening your heart muscles through exercise may help to reduce palpitations. Try to walk, run, cycle, swim or take part in other exercise every day to keep your heart healthy.
27. Burning Mouth
According to one study, between 18% and 33% of women experience burning mouth syndrome (BMS) during menopause. If you have BMS, you may have pain or discomfort in the mouth, lips or tongue. This might feel like a burning or tingling sensation and could be accompanied by a metallic taste.
Drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding acidic foods and drinks, and changing your toothpaste may all help ease symptoms of BMS.
28. Brittle Nails
During the menopause, your keratin levels are likely to decrease. Keratin is the structural protein your nails are made of, and a lack of keratin could cause them to become brittle.
Try to limit the amount of water and harsh chemicals your nails are exposed to by wearing gloves when you’re cleaning or washing up. Avoid using nail polish removers or nail hardeners as these could make your symptoms worse.
29. Electric Shocks
Your body uses electrical impulses to send signals. The changes you experience during menopause may impact these signals, resulting in abnormal electrical sensations. You might feel tingling in your hands, feet, arms and legs or you might find your nerves are more sensitive than normal.
These feelings could last for a few minutes at a time and shouldn’t be anything to worry about. If you’re concerned, speak to a doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms.
30. Body Odour Changes
Hot flushes, increased anxiety and stress could cause you to sweat more during menopause. You may also notice changes to your natural scent.
Changing your clothes regularly and showering every day may help you to feel more confident.
31. Gum Problems
Around one in three women aged over 50 have noticed their gum lines receding. If this happens to you, it could create more space for bacteria to build up and may contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
Try to visit your dentist on a regular basis to avoid any serious dental issues. Brushing your teeth twice a day could help improve gum health.
32. Increased Allergies
Your dropping progesterone levels could aggravate your allergy symptoms. You may develop new allergies or intolerances and could find eczema, hay fever or asthma become worse.
Your doctor will be able to offer advice and support on managing allergy symptoms.
33. Panic Attacks
During the menopause, you may feel more anxious than usual. Sometimes, this anxiety could turn into a panic attack. During a panic attack, your heart may race, you might feel faint, and you could experience chest pain, sweating, nausea and shortness of breath.
Breathing exercises may help you feel calmer during an attack. Understanding the symptoms, and what’s behind them, may also help you feel less anxious
34. Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty concentrating and ‘brain fog’ are both common symptoms of menopause. This may cause problems at work and in your everyday life.
Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, reducing stress and managing anxiety could all help to improve your concentration levels.
Getting Medical Tests
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor may run a blood or urine test to check your hormone levels. You may also be able to do a saliva test at home and post it back to your doctor or healthcare provider.
These tests are quick, easy and painless. They’re a good way to check hormone levels to see if a lack of oestrogen or progesterone could be affecting your health.
When To Seek Help
If your menopause symptoms are impacting your daily life, or you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope, it may be time to speak to a doctor or get medical support. A doctor or pharmacist will be able to offer guidance on treatment options and management strategies.
Make sure you’re open and honest about all of your symptoms during your consultation. This will help your doctor to find the most appropriate treatment path for you.
Menopause Treatment Options Available
If you’re going through the menopause, you may be relieved to hear there are a number of treatment options available. Your doctor may talk to you about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and might suggest lifestyle changes and supplements that could ease your symptoms.
As everyone’s experience of the menopause is different, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ treatment. Instead, it’s a case of trying a few things to find the treatment that’s right for you.
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Getting Support And Advice
There’s lots of help and support available for women going through the menopause. From support groups to online forums, you should be able to find a network that gives you the advice and reassurance you need.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about resources available in your area.
It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any menopause medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.
The menopause is different for everyone. You may experience a number of these symptoms, or you may not notice any changes at all. You might choose to start HRT or you may opt for natural remedies and supplements.
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Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790
https://www.webmd.com/menopause/menopause-hot-flashes
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/16562-night-sweats
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319860
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-menopause-fatigue
https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/fatigue-and-menopause-tips-to-boost-energy/
https://madisonwomenshealth.com/womens-health/perimenopause-irregular-periods-in-your-40s/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/perimenopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20354666
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0378512293901207
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/can-menopause-cause-depression
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8801823/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menopause-and-osteoporosis
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