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In the earlier phases of menopause, some women experience heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats.
October 27, 2024
Sharon Burbat
They can significantly impair quality of life: sleep disturbances, hot flashes, mood swings. However, the list of menopausal symptoms is much longer.
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That hot flashes are a symptom of menopause is known to most - even those who are not affected by them. However, many other less well-known signs and complaints are also added. In fact, there are around 34 symptoms of menopause !
What you need to know about the 4 phases of menopause
For women, menopause is a significant hormonal change. It is therefore not surprising that a number of symptoms also occur as a result. Not all of these affect every woman, especially not equally and not evenly across all phases of menopause. Rather, it is an individual "compilation" of symptoms that are perceived as more or less stressful. These are the most important ones:
1. Sleep disturbances
Problems falling asleep or a poor sleep are the first signs of menopause and often occur even before hot flashes appear. Many people suffer from sleep disorders during menopause. By the way: Women need about half an hour more sleep per night than men and are more sensitive to noise disturbances.
2. Mood swings
When the mood-enhancing effect of estrogens wears off, some women feel like they are going through a personality change. It is reminiscent of PMS - premenstrual syndrome - in other words, the “days before the days”. Mood swings manifest as irritability, sadness, restlessness, and dissatisfaction and often occur at the beginning of perimenopause.
3. Night sweats
They can also disrupt sleep: night sweats during menopause. It is suspected that the decreasing estrogen level affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates body temperature.
4. Hot flashes
Just as night sweats come, typical hot flashes usually only occur with the last period. Although they are among the most common symptoms of menopause, they are not among the first. However, many women find them particularly distressing. 75% are affected by them. Hot flashes can also cause redness on the face, neck, and chest.
5. Osteoporosis
With hormonal changes, there is also a decrease in bone density. In severe cases, osteoporosis is the result, although there are many other risk factors besides estrogen deficiency.
6. Vaginal dryness
Because the vagina is less well supplied with blood during menopause and the glands in the cervix produce less mucus, the mucous membrane in the vagina becomes drier and thinner. Sometimes the labia also contract and the fatty tissue of the vulva decreases. This is associated with infections, pain during sex, and itching.
7. Loss of libido
It is common for women, especially after menopause, which is the last menstrual period, to have less interest in sex. The reason is the declining level of sex hormones. However, in some cases, the opposite occurs and the woman becomes more lustful.
8. Breast pain
When water retention forms in the breast and its structure changes because the glands that produce milk regress and the connective tissue increases, feelings of tension, pulling pain, and sensitivity to touch may occur.
9. Depression
Not only the body but also the soul can suffer when menopause begins. Lack of drive is a possible sign, in severe cases it can also lead to Depression .
10. Cycle disorders
During perimenopause, the cycle becomes more irregular. Bleeding can be less frequent, heavier, more frequent, or lighter.
11. Headaches
Migraines can worsen during menopause. Headaches sometimes occur during perimenopause.
12. Dizziness
Just as during puberty, women are more likely to experience dizziness during menopause because hormonal changes affect the autonomic nervous system. This disrupts the balance in the ear. Nausea can be a accompanying symptom.
13. Weight gain
On average, women gain five to seven kilograms during menopause. Metabolism changes, as does fat distribution in the body. Body fat percentage increases, especially in the abdomen. The body shape changes from a "pear" to an "apple".
14. Heart rhythm disturbances
In the earlier phases of menopause, some women suffer from palpitations and heart palpitations. Later, together with hot flashes, some report palpitations and dizziness. The risk of heart attack increases especially after menopause.
15. Joint pain
Joint complaints in the knees, hips, fingers, and shoulders are a symptom of the accelerated degeneration of joint cartilage.
16. Hair loss
The hair follicles shrink, causing the hair to grow more slowly and fall out more easily. Sometimes the underarm hair no longer grows.
17. Fatigue
Fatigue and exhaustion are often a result of sleep disturbances and night sweats during menopause, but they are also related to mood swings.
18. Difficulty concentrating
Not only hot flashes, sleep problems, and stress can impair concentration, but fluctuating estrogen levels themselves can also be a reason. Concentration problems usually disappear after menopause.
19. Dry skin
The skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and drier. Proper care is particularly important now. Estrogens ensure that the skin is supplied with enough moisture. During menopause, less collagen and sebum are produced, making the skin more susceptible. This also applies to the scalp, which may become itchy. Due to reduced tear fluid production, the eyes become red.
20. Bladder weakness
Bladder weakness is a common symptom during menopause. An irritable bladder or urge incontinence with sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate along with urine loss is particularly unpleasant for many women. In some cases, an estrogen cream applied in the vagina helps.
21. Bloating
Metabolism changes, becomes sluggish, and hormonal changes affect the digestive system. The result: bloating, constipation, and digestive problems.
22. High blood pressure
During menopause, the risk for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease increases.
23. Gum issues
Saliva production decreases, leading to a dry mouth. This increases the risk of cavities and gum diseases such as periodontitis.
24. Tingling in the extremities
Tingling in the hands, feet, arms, and legs occurs more frequently. This can be due to a nerve-related sensory disturbance. Sometimes it feels like the feet are burning. This can be related to hot flashes and night sweats, with increased blood circulation causing a sudden rise in core body temperature (including in the feet).
25. Body odor
It is not surprising that increased sweat production due to hot flashes and stress also affects body odor. At the same time, the sweat is more concentrated because the body can no longer regulate water balance as well.
26. Anxiety
Hormonal changes can trigger anxiety, which may worsen at night or in certain situations.
27. Panic attacks
The anxiety can turn into panic attacks that come suddenly and unexpectedly.
28. Allergies
As histamine levels are increased during menopause, allergies may worsen now.
29. Brittle nails
Brittle nails can sometimes be caused by a lack of keratin.
30. Hair Growth
Some women complain of increased facial hair growth and the so-called "lady beard" after menopause. The reason for this is the increasing proportion of testosterone.
31. Muscle Pain
Muscle pain or muscle tension is not uncommon during menopause. In addition, muscle mass decreases as early as the age of 35.
32. Discharge
Sometimes vaginal discharge changes during menopause. If it is odorless and yellowish, there is no cause for concern. Other forms can indicate diseases such as bacterial vaginosis, infections, a tumor, or a yeast infection and should definitely be clarified by a doctor.
33. Water Retention
Water retention occurs especially at the beginning of menopause, which is due to the (still) high estrogen level. Initially, the production of progesterone decreases, resulting in estrogen dominance. Even before ovulation, when estrogen levels rise, women tend to retain more water.
34. Nausea
Similar to pregnancy, where hormonal balance changes, women often struggle with nausea during menopause. However, sometimes this is caused by ovarian cysts or is a side effect of medications intended to alleviate other menopause symptoms.
