Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is a natural stage in life, marked by the permanent cessation of menstrual cycles due to the ovaries no longer producing reproductive hormones for at least 12 consecutive months. It is a diagnosis made retrospectively. In the months or years leading up to menopause, many women experience various symptoms that act as early indicators of what’s to come. This phase is known as perimenopause, and these symptoms affect up to 75% of women going through it.

What are the Symptoms of Menopause?

Here’s an extensive list of common and less common symptoms associated with menopause and perimenopause. Common symptoms include:

Irregular periods

• Why is that? As oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, menstrual cycles may become shorter, longer, heavier, lighter, or skipped altogether. This irregularity is one of the first signs of perimenopause.

Vaginal dryness

• Why is that? Reduced oestrogen levels lead to thinner, less lubricated vaginal tissues, causing dryness, discomfort, and painful intercourse (dyspareunia).

Hot flushes

• Why is that? Hormonal changes affect the body’s temperature regulation, leading to sudden heat sensations, often accompanied by sweating and redness. These can last for several minutes.

Night sweats

• Why is that? Similar to hot flushes but occurring during sleep, night sweats can disrupt rest and are linked to fluctuations in oestrogen levels.

Sleep problems

• Why is that? Hormonal imbalances, night sweats, and anxiety can disrupt the body’s ability to maintain a consistent sleep pattern, causing insomnia and frequent waking.

Mood changes

• Why is that? Changing hormone levels, particularly fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone, can lead to mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

Brain fog

• Why is that? Cognitive functions, such as memory, concentration, and focus, may be impacted by fluctuating hormone levels, stress, and sleep disturbances.

Decreased libido

• Why is that? Lower oestrogen and testosterone levels can reduce sexual desire and responsiveness, often accompanied by vaginal dryness or discomfort.

Weight gain

• Why is that? Hormonal changes can slow metabolism and cause a redistribution of fat, particularly around the abdomen. Decreased activity and muscle mass with age may also contribute.

Thinning hair

• Why is that? Reduced oestrogen levels can lead to thinning hair on the scalp, while higher testosterone levels might promote hair growth on other parts of the body, such as the face.

Dry skin

• • Why is that? Oestrogen helps maintain skin moisture and elasticity. Lower levels result in drier, less supple skin that may wrinkle more easily.

There are also a range of less common symptoms which you may experience:

Fatigue

• Why is that? Hormonal imbalances, disrupted sleep, and stress can lead to chronic tiredness, making it difficult to feel rested even after sleeping.

Joint pain or stiffness

• Why is that? Lower oestrogen levels can lead to inflammation, affecting the joints and causing stiffness, aches, and pain, particularly in the morning.

Palpitations

• Why is that? Hormonal fluctuations can affect the autonomic nervous system, causing heart palpitations or a racing heart, particularly during hot flushes.

Headaches

• Why is that? The decrease in oestrogen, particularly during perimenopause, can trigger headaches or migraines, especially in individuals prone to hormonal headaches.

Breast tenderness

• Why is that? Fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone during perimenopause can lead to swollen, tender, or sore breasts, similar to premenstrual symptoms.

Urinary issues

• Why is that? Decreased oestrogen can weaken the tissues of the bladder and urethra, leading to increased urgency, frequency, or urinary incontinence.

Dizziness

• Why is that? Hormonal changes may affect circulation or blood pressure, causing occasional lightheadedness or dizziness.

Bloating

• Why is that? Changes in oestrogen levels can lead to water retention and a feeling of fullness or bloating, often linked to gastrointestinal changes.

Tingling in extremities

• Why is that? Oestrogen fluctuations may affect the nervous system, leading to numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands and feet.

Changes in body odour

• Why is that? Hormonal changes can cause the body’s natural scent to change, especially during hot flushes or night sweats due to increased sweating.

Increased sensitivity to allergens

• Why is that? As the immune system shifts during menopause, some women may notice increased sensitivity to allergens or irritants.

Changes in taste

• Why is that? Hormonal changes can affect the senses, leading to altered taste, such as a metallic taste or heightened sensitivity to certain flavours.

Gum problems

• Why is that? Declining oestrogen levels can affect oral health, leading to inflamed or bleeding gums and a higher risk of gum disease.

Osteoporosis risk

• Why is that? Lower oestrogen reduces the body’s ability to maintain bone density, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis over time.

Dry eyes

• Why is that? Reduced oestrogen affects moisture production, leading to dry eyes and discomfort, sometimes accompanied by an increased risk of eye infections.

Burning mouth syndrome

• Why is that? Hormonal fluctuations can affect the nerves in the mouth, causing a burning sensation on the tongue or in the mouth, often without an obvious cause.

Changes in cholesterol levels

• Why is that? Oestrogen helps regulate cholesterol. As levels drop, LDL (bad cholesterol) can increase, and HDL (good cholesterol) may decrease, raising cardiovascular risks.

Electric shock sensations

• Why is that? Some women report brief, sudden sensations like electric shocks, which may be linked to shifting hormone levels affecting the nervous system.

Anxiety and panic attacks

• Why is that? Hormonal imbalances, coupled with changes in life circumstances during menopause, can lead to increased anxiety and, in some cases, panic attacks.

Symptoms are different for every woman. However for many, changes to your period cycle is the main indicator that menopause is on the horizon. Sometimes, menstrual periods will skip a month, or several, and then return. You may also note that your periods have shorter cycles, so they may become closer together. Despite this, becoming pregnant is still a possibility.

It's important to visit your doctor frequently during and after menopause, and you should always seek medical advice if you suffer vaginal bleeding after menopause.

Sources

NICE (2024) Over 14,000 people will benefit from NICE's final guidance recommending abaloparatide for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis in cases of very high fracture risk. [viewed 01/10/2024]

Mayo Clinic (2024) Menopause [online]. Mayo Clinic [viewed 01/10/2024]. Available from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 

NHS (2022) Menopause [online]. NHS [viewed 01/10/2024]. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/

BUPA Clinical Lead for Womens Health BUPA (2023) Discover with Dr Samantha Wild.