The literature and articles on menopause usually discuss the most common symptoms of menopause, even though women may experience several other unpleasant symptoms during this period that are rarely talked about. We have collected the physical and psychological symptoms that may accompany the most well-known issues such as irregular periods, hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness and changes in libido. Let us see what else we can expect!
Breast soreness
The change in the production of estrogen may lead to slight pain in the breasts and a change in their appearance.
Headaches
Women who often suffer from headaches during their periods are more likely to experience them in the perimenopausal phase as well.
Joint pain
Estrogen partly regulates the fluid levels of various tissues in the body and influences the immune system. It may affect joints as well, even leading to arthritis.
Digestive problems
Acid reflux, bloating, weight gain, flatulence, indigestion, abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea and nausea are often caused by the stress hormone cortisol, which is partially regulated by estrogen – the production of which is affected drastically by menopause.
Electric shocks
This peculiar and unpleasant sensation is caused by erratic changes in female hormones. They can occur anytime, and they are known to often happen immediately before a hot flash.
Burning tongue
Estrogen plays a role in the formation of saliva, so menopausal women often experience what we call burning mouth syndrome. Affected women suffer from a burning sensation in widespread areas across the mouth, including their tongue, lips, roof of the mouth and cheeks.
Gum problems and the sensation of a metallic taste
These symptoms affect 10% to 40% of all menopausal women, according to research.
Muscle tension
Muscle tightness or strain, often to the point of chronic pain, is caused by stress and anxiety that are commonly experienced during this phase.
Tingling extremities
This symptom is fairly rare among menopausal women, but it is a menopausal symptom nonetheless.
Anxiety
Seemingly inexplicable anxiety is often caused by menopause. This is among the most frequent symptoms, as one in three women experience it.
Panic disorder
Anxiety caused by hormone fluctuations affects some women more severely. Those who develop panic disorders can manage their condition through lifestyle changes and natural remedies.
Depression
Compared to women of younger age, depression is four times more likely to affect menopausal women.
Irritability and feelings of sadness
Mood swings are the most common emotional symptoms of menopause. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress factors and learning new ways to relax are the most effective ways to cope.
Stress incontinence
This issue may happen around the time of menopause, although the cause is probably natural aging rather than hormones.
Sleep disorders
Having trouble sleeping is definitely one of the most unpleasant and common symptoms of menopause: researchers claim that as many as 61% of women experience sleep disorders from peri- to postmenopause.
Fatigue
As many as 25% of menopausal women report suffering from extreme cases of tiredness.
Memory lapses
Being forgetful during menopause is usually caused by fatigue and hormonal changes, and luckily, this annoying set of symptoms is only temporary.
Difficulty concentrating
As estrogen regulates numerous mental and bodily functions, the decrease in this hormone may cause a general lack of focus and concentration due to a decrease in energy levels in the brain.
Dizziness
We tend to forget about this, but hormonal fluctuations often cause vertigo and dizziness as well.
Weight gain
It is really important to introduce regular exercise and a healthy diet into your lifestyle during menopause because hormone shifts often impair metabolism and cause weight gain.
Allergies
You may discover that you are now allergic to things that you have never had a problem with before. The issue often stems from the fact that hormonal changes also influence the immune system.
Hair loss
The volume of hair changes from individual to individual above 40, but menopause may accelerate the thinning of hair.
Dry skin
The reason behind itchy, dry, thin skin is the decrease of collagen levels and the loss of hydration in the skin.
Brittle nails
The drop in estrogen levels in the body leads to dehydration, which affects your nails and skin, too.
Body odor
During menopause, women tend to sweat more than usual, which may change the way you smell.
Irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations
Lower estrogen levels overstimulate the nervous and circulatory systems during menopause, which may cause heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat. Although it is completely normal, it is very important to get this issue checked as it may signal a cardiac condition as well.
Osteoporosis
The falling levels of estrogen affect bone density: five to seven years after menopause some women experience a 20% drop in bone density, which puts them at greater risk for developing osteoporosis, according to nhs.co.uk.
It is important to note that the set of menopausal symptoms and their severity vary from woman to woman: some may suffer greatly from many of the symptoms listed above, while others may hardly be affected. Since these issues are hormone-related in nature, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be an effective way to combat these unpleasant symptoms.