More than just hot flashes: spotting lesser-known symptoms of menopause
It’s surprising how common and, at the same time, misunderstood menopause can be. Even though half of the population experience menopause, did you know that there are up to 40 symptoms of menopause and perimenopause that are often mistaken for other conditions?
Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the most common and well-known symptoms of menopause. But there are a number of surprising physical and mental changes that are often overlooked.
Dr. Zahra Damji, GP & Menopause Lead at Boots Online Doctor shares a few of the hidden symptoms of menopause that you might not have expected and what you can do to bring yourself some relief if you’re struggling.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a natural, normal phase of life when a woman’s periods permanently stop because her ovaries start to produce less estrogen and progesterone over time.
Perimenopause is the phase leading up to this transition, when a woman might still be having periods but her hormone levels have started to decrease.
The symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause are signs that a woman’s body is adjusting to the lower oestrogen and progesterone levels.
But the role of these hormones, and especially of oestrogen, isn’t just limited to the reproductive system. Oestrogen in particular has a wide range of protective effects throughout the body which is why it can cause seemingly unrelated symptoms as it tapers during menopause.
Physical symptoms you might not expect
Oestrogen plays a key role in maintaining collagen levels and the elasticity of skin and tissues throughout the body. This means that as oestrogen levels drop, skin can become thinner and more sensitive.
You might find that it becomes itchy, that conditions like rosacea and eczema become worse or that flare ups occur more frequently. To counteract the changes that happen during menopause, it’s important to make sure that skin is moisturised daily.
Some women also find that their old creams that they’ve used for years don’t provide enough moisture anymore and they need to switch to a more intensive formula to hydrate their skin.
You can find a number of different moisturisers designed especially for menopause skin at Boots here:
In the same way that a drop in collagen can affect the skin on your body, it can also affect your eyes and mouth. Dry, itchy, sore and red eyes can be caused by a drop in hormone levels and can cause your eyes to become more sensitive or even affect vision.
Dry eye treatments that help prevent moisture loss and repair the surface of your eye can help to relieve these symptoms. Boots Opticians also offer a new dry eye evaluation, as part of their essential eye check. It can help to identify the signs and symptoms associated with dry eye and allows clinicians to develop personalised treatment plans to manage the condition.
Like the eyes, a drop in hormone levels during menopause can affect the mouth resulting in a tingling, dry mouth, or burning sensation in the tongue and lips. Gums can become more sensitive as well so it’s important to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a soft bristled toothbrush that’s gentle on the gums. If you find that your gums have become more sensitive it’s a good idea to see your dentist to rule out any other possible causes and for advice on how to care for your mouth during menopause.
Joint pain and muscle aches
Oestrogen has anti-inflammatory properties which means that, as levels drop during menopause, joints can become stiff or painful.
Stiff joints can often be mistaken for arthritis and some women find that they develop a condition called “frozen shoulder” during menopause where the shoulder joint becomes inflamed, stiff and painful to move.
Frozen shoulder will usually ease or “thaw” as the body becomes used to lower levels of hormones but this can take from 12 to 24 months, or sometimes longer to improve. Taking pain relief such as paracetamol can help to manage the discomfort but, if joint stiffness starts to affect daily life, we’d recommend that you speak to your GP or healthcare provider.
Digestion and gut health
Oestrogen’s protective effects go further than the skin and joints and lower hormone levels can also have an impact on gut health and digestion.
When oestrogen and progesterone levels fall, digestion slows down which can lead to bloating, constipation or stomach cramps. Lower hormone levels can also affect your gut microbiome, reducing the variety of good bacteria in your gut.
To counteract these changes, it’s important to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water or herbal teas. Avoid caffeine, fizzy drinks or alcohol as these can make symptoms worse.
It’s also important to make sure that you eat plenty of fibre which can help the good bacteria in your gut to thrive. Regular gentle exercise such as a walk or yoga can also be useful to help relieve gas or bloating.
Brain fog and memory lapses
The power and protective effect of oestrogen isn’t limited to the skin and joints. Oestrogen has a direct effect on brain chemistry by stimulating the production of several neurotransmitters in the brain.
When oestrogen levels start to drop, many women experience changes in their mood, memory, and overall brain function.
Because the onset of symptoms is usually gradual and not well defined, they can often be mistaken for stress or other unrelated mental health conditions, even in women with no history of mental health problems.
Anxiety, brain fog, irritability and loss of confidence are all common symptoms that can be triggered by falling levels of oestrogen experienced during menopause.
If you’re concerned or struggling with any of these symptoms, talk to your GP to understand what options are available for you.
A free Health MOT Service* is also available at Boots for people aged 40 or over in England. The 15 minute appointment includes an NHS Blood Pressure Check Service with optional BMI and waist circumference measurement.
The quick service helps to understand blood pressure levels, as well as identify hypertension at early stages and minimise the risk of serious health conditions.
Why awareness matters
Since menopause can have so many seemingly unrelated symptoms and can vary significantly from woman to woman, it’s important to raise awareness about the process.
Menopause has often been written off or dismissed as just a phase that women have to suffer through – many women suffer in silence or are misdiagnosed because these symptoms aren’t widely discussed.
Raising awareness helps women advocate for themselves and to ask the right questions to get the help they need from friends, family and their GP.
It’s also important to understand what options are available for treatment. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treats the symptoms of menopause by replacing the hormones that are missing with age.
There’s a wide range of HRT treatments available depending on your symptoms, age and individual circumstances and your GP can help you find the best option, if suitable for you. They can also help you manage your symptoms if you decide that you don’t want to try HRT.
Our Menopause Treatment service can also offer support and advice on how to manage your symptoms and help you decide which option is best for you.
Important information about HRT
Just because menopause and perimenopause are a natural process doesn’t mean that you have to suffer in silence.
The more informed you are about all of the possible signs and symptoms of menopause, the sooner that you can take back control of your health and get back to feeling like yourself again.
Subject to availability. Available in participating stores. The NHS Blood Pressure Check Service is for adults aged 40 years and over who do not currently have a diagnosis of hypertension, for adults under 40 that have a recognised family history of hypertension (at the pharmacist’s discretion) and adults referred by the GP for the measurement of blood pressure.
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