Symptoms of Menopause

Irregular periods

Irregular periods are among the earlier symptoms of perimenopause in most sufferers. As your egg production decreases, your hormone levels drop too. At times, you may get signs of premenstrual syndrome such as irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness but fail to get your periods.

Hot flushes

Hot flushes are also early symptoms that you are approaching menopause. A red neck and face characterise the flashes in up to 72% of sufferers. When you have hot flushes, your body suddenly overheats, and you experience sweating and night sweats because the hormones responsible for controlling your body’s temperature are low. Spicy foods and hot drinks usually trigger symptoms of hot flushes.

Memory lapse

Temporary forgetfulness is a common symptom you will experience in later stages of menopause. It is associated with fatigue, but you can rectify it by doing cognitive exercises to enhance your cognition.

Difficulties in concentration

Your brain makes energy with the aid of oestrogen by burning glucose to help you concentrate while carrying out your daily activities. When your oestrogen levels decrease, the brain is no longer able to make enough energy to help you focus, leading to you experiencing concentration difficulties.

Depression

Studies show that people under 45 are less likely to be depressed compared to those who are older. Due to the mood changes you experience in menopause, such as sadness, you might experience depression.

Anxiety

Anxiety affects one out of three menopausal people. It is common in those who also experience mood swings.

Panic Disorder

As aforementioned, menopausal sufferers are prone to anxiety due to hormonal changes. Anxiety may contribute to panic attacks. However, panic attacks are not a common symptom of menopause.

Mood swings

Studies have shown that about 27% of sufferers experience mood swings. Many experience anxiety as well. The mood swings are similar to mood changes you may experience during your periods but tend to be extreme.

Night sweats

Night sweats are associated with difficulties in sleeping for most menopausal sufferers. Night sweats are a result of hot flushes you experience at night.

Bloating

Bloating is an early sign that you are approaching menopause. Bloating is a common perimenopausal symptom, especially if it persists after you complete your periods.

Weight gain

Weight gain during menopause, especially around your middle, is caused by the hormonal changes your body is going through. It is not caused by Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Exercise and a healthy diet can help you combat it.

Pain in joints

Oestrogen is responsible for strengthening bones and protecting them from inflammation. As the levels of the hormone decrease, your joints become susceptible to inflammation.

Digestive issues

Digestive issues may be excessive flatulence, bloating, nausea and abdominal cramps. The problems arise from elevated cortisol levels as your oestrogen decreases, since oestrogen is responsible for maintaining healthy cortisol levels.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition associated with weak bones that are prone to fractures. A significant function of oestrogen is to maintain healthy and strong bones. Your bones, therefore, weaken when your oestrogen levels lower during menopause.

Dry and itchy skin

When your oestrogen levels decrease during menopause, collagen also decreases. Collagen is a protein in the body that strengthens your skin and keeps it moist. When it drops, your skin becomes dry and itchy.

Sleeping difficulties

Insomnia is common because of hot flushes that can occur at night. The flashes may lead to night sweats that make it uncomfortable for you to sleep.

Dizziness

Sudden unexplainable dizziness during menopause is said to be associated with a drop in your levels of oestrogen.

Fatigue

Feeling exhausted is also common during menopause. Research shows that 25% of sufferers experience fatigue during menopause.

Vaginal dryness

During perimenopause and after menopause, the natural lubrication of your vagina is inadequate. Oestrogen is responsible for vaginal lubrication. When you are in the menopause years, your eggs fail to produce enough oestrogen to lubricate the vagina, and as a result, you experience vaginal dryness. The dryness can make sex uncomfortable and sometimes painful.

Sore breasts

Feeling soreness in your breasts is a common symptom in perimenopause. It is the same as the soreness you experience when you have your period or are pregnant.

Changes in libido

While most sufferers report having a decrease in their libido, some have reported having increased libido. The changes in libido are, therefore, different from one person to another. Decreased libido is said to be associated with gaining weight. It can lower your sex drive by making you feel uncomfortable with your body. Exercising and eating healthy can, however, make you embrace your body again.

Headaches

If you experienced headaches during your menstrual period, it is common to get headaches during menopause too. Hormones released by your ovaries may also affect chemicals in the brain related to headaches. Headaches are less likely to occur if your hormones are steady. In the menopause years, however, the hormones fluctuate, explaining why headaches are more frequent in menopause.

Electric shocks

Electric shocks are a menopausal symptom that occur suddenly and are due to the inappropriate firing of neurons. You are likely to experience electric shocks after hot flushes.

Burning tongue

A burning tongue is due to dry mouth that may be due to reduced levels of oestrogen. Just like the mucosa of the vagina, the mucosa of the mouth has oestrogen receptors that contribute to saliva formation. Reduction in your oestrogen levels during menopause leads to reduced saliva production.

Problems with gums

Gum problems during menopause can cause your mouth to taste like metal. Gum problems affect 10-40% of people during menopause.

Tingling sensation in the extremities

While most sufferers report experiencing tingling sensations in their fingers and toes, it is also normal to experience a burning sensation or some numbness. These changes are due to a drop in your oestrogen levels that affects your central nervous system, which relays signals to the rest of your body.

Loss of hair

Age may affect your hair volume and also make it thin. However, menopause accelerates the two and also makes you lose hair faster.

Brittle nails

Your nails may break easily during menopause. Oestrogen is essential in keeping the keratin layer, which strengthens your nails, strong. When it reduces, the keratin layer weakens to cause brittle nails in many sufferers in their menopause.

Tight muscles

Strain in your muscles is often associated with stress. Since menopause is associated with symptoms like anxiety and stress, your muscles may tighten. Yoga and meditation can, however, relieve stress and help your body relax for your muscles to loosen.

Stress incontinence

The inability to control your bladder when you lift heavy items off the ground or cough is called stress incontinence. During menopause, physical activities can cause urine leakage because they stress your bladder.

Changes in body odour

The natural body scent changes when you reach menopause. These changes may be due to hormonal changes and frequent sweating associated with hot flushes.

Irritability

Fluctuations in your hormones are associated with changes in mood at menopause. Try relaxing activities and exercise, or meditating to help control the changes in your moods.

Allergies

Since hormones and your immune system are linked, finding yourself allergic to new things is common when you are in menopause.

Irregular heartbeat

You may notice changes in your heartbeat, such as palpitations. Similar to the tingling sensations you may experience during menopause, irregular heartbeats occur because the drop in your oestrogen levels may cause misfiring of neurons.