Thirty-Three Symptoms of Menopause

What Are They?

TOP NEWS:

  • Cold water swimming benefits menopausal symptoms, with improvements in anxiety, mood swings, and hot flushes. It's a stress reliever for many women, though more research on frequency and duration is necessary. Exercise caution for risks like hypothermia and water quality.

    🩸 Cold water swimming and menstrual symptoms

  • Nearly half of women with menstrual symptoms report improvement in anxiety.

  • Over a third experience relief in mood swings and irritability.

    📚 Study limitations

  • Potential bias due to the survey was only taken by women who already cold water swim.

  • Online surveys may attract women who notice an association between menopause symptoms and cold water swimming.

HIGHLIGHTS:
What Are the Thirty-Three Symptoms of Menopause?

Menopause is a natural part of a woman's life, marking the end of her reproductive years. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being 51. While menopause is a natural process, it can bring about a range of symptoms that can greatly impact a woman's quality of life.

What is Menopause?

Menopause represents the permanent end of menstruation, signifying the closure of a woman's reproductive years when the ovaries halt estrogen and progesterone production. Let's unravel the symptoms of this phase.

Menopause is a natural process that every woman will experience, but the timing and severity of symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Some women may experience mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe symptoms that greatly impact their daily lives.

Symptoms of Menopause After Hysterectomy with Ovaries Intact

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure in which a woman's uterus is removed. In some cases, the ovaries may also be removed, resulting in immediate menopause and the symptoms may be more severe due to the sudden drop in hormone levels. However, if the ovaries are left intact, menopause will occur naturally.

Some common symptoms of menopause after a hysterectomy with ovaries intact include:

  • Hot flashes

  • Night sweats

  • Vaginal dryness

  • Mood swings

  • Insomnia

  • Fatigue

  • Weight gain

  • Decreased libido

  • Urinary incontinence

  • Joint pain

Menopause Psychosis Symptoms

Menopause psychosis is a rare condition that can occur during menopause. It is characterized by a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. While the exact cause of menopause psychosis is unknown, it is believed to be linked to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause.

Some common symptoms of menopause psychosis include:

  • Hallucinations

  • Delusions

  • Disorganized thinking

  • Paranoia

  • Agitation

  • Confusion

  • Mood swings

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Insomnia

Thirty-Three Symptoms of Menopause

Now that we have a better understanding of what menopause is and how it can occur, let's explore thirty-four symptoms of menopause. There have been up to 84 symptoms identified by Andrea Donsky’s research, but these are the most common ones.

  1. Irregular periods: As a woman approaches menopause, her periods may become irregular, with longer or shorter cycles, or skipped periods.

  2. Hot flashes: Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, characterized by a sudden feeling of intense heat, often accompanied by sweating and flushing.

  3. Night sweats: Night sweats are similar to hot flashes but occur during sleep, often causing women to wake up drenched in sweat.

  4. Vaginal dryness: As estrogen levels decrease during menopause, the vaginal tissues may become thinner and drier, leading to discomfort during intercourse or painful urination.

  5. Mood swings: Hormonal changes during menopause can cause mood swings, leading to irritability, anxiety, and depression.

  6. Insomnia: Many women experience difficulty falling or staying asleep during menopause, often due to hot flashes and night sweats. Progesterone helps you fall asleep, while estrogen can help you stay asleep.

  7. Fatigue: The hormonal changes and sleep disturbances during menopause can lead to fatigue and low energy levels.

  8. Weight gain: As estrogen levels decrease, women may experience weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area.

  9. Decreased libido: The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to a decrease in sex drive.

  10. Urinary incontinence: The decrease in estrogen levels can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, leading to urinary incontinence.

  11. Joint pain: The hormonal changes during menopause can cause joint pain and stiffness, particularly in the hands, wrists, and knees.

  12. Headaches: Many women experience more frequent headaches during menopause, often due to hormonal fluctuations.

  13. Changes in body odor: The decrease in estrogen levels can lead to changes in body odor, often causing women to feel self-conscious.

  14. Dry skin: The decrease in estrogen levels can lead to dry, itchy skin, particularly on the face, neck, and chest.

  15. Hair loss: Many women experience hair loss or thinning during menopause, often due to hormonal changes.

  16. Changes in body shape: As estrogen levels decrease, women may experience changes in body shape, with more weight being carried in the abdominal area.

  17. Brittle nails: The decrease in estrogen levels can lead to brittle, weak nails that are prone to breaking.

  18. Changes in breast tissue: As estrogen levels decrease, the breast tissue may become less dense, leading to changes in breast size and shape.

  19. Difficulty concentrating: Many women experience difficulty concentrating during menopause, often due to hormonal changes and sleep disturbances.

  20. Memory problems: The hormonal changes during menopause can also lead to memory problems and forgetfulness.

  21. Dizziness: Some women may experience dizziness or lightheadedness during menopause, often due to hormonal fluctuations.

  22. Heart palpitations: The hormonal changes during menopause can cause heart palpitations or a feeling of a racing or pounding heart.

  23. Changes in body temperature regulation: The hormonal changes during menopause can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature, leading to hot flashes and night sweats.

  24. Changes in taste and smell: The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to changes in taste and smell, often causing food to taste different or unappealing.

  25. Gum problems: The decrease in estrogen levels can lead to gum problems, such as bleeding, swelling, and tenderness.

  26. Vision changes: Some women may experience changes in vision during menopause, such as dry eyes, blurred vision, or difficulty focusing.

  27. Tingling or numbness: The hormonal changes during menopause can cause tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or face.

  28. Electric shock sensations: Some women may experience electric shock sensations during menopause, often in the head or neck.

  29. Digestive problems: The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, and constipation.

  30. Allergies: Many women experience an increase in allergies during menopause, often due to hormonal changes.

  31. Changes in menstrual flow: As a woman approaches menopause, her periods may become lighter or heavier, or she may experience spotting between periods.

  32. Changes in sexual function: The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to changes in sexual function, such as decreased libido, vaginal dryness, and difficulty achieving orgasm.

  33. Menopause psychosis: As mentioned earlier, menopause psychosis is a rare condition that can occur during menopause, characterized by psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

Coping with Menopause Symptoms

While menopause can bring about a range of symptoms, there are ways to cope and manage them. Here are a few tips to help you manage the symptoms of menopause:

  • Stay active: Regular exercise can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain.

  • Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and good-quality protein can help manage symptoms such as weight gain and digestive problems.

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and dry skin.

  • Practice relaxation techniques: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help manage symptoms such as mood swings and insomnia.

  • Learn how to balance your hormones easily by educating yourself with our course, written by the Hormone Guru.

  • Talk to your doctor: If your symptoms are severe or impacting your daily life, talk to your doctor about treatment options.

In Conclusion

Menopause is a natural process that every woman will experience, but the symptoms can greatly impact a woman's quality of life. By understanding the thirty-four symptoms of menopause and how to cope with them, women can navigate this stage of life with more ease and comfort. Click here to learn how.

Remember to talk to your doctor if your symptoms are severe or impacting your daily life, as there are treatment options available to help manage menopause symptoms.

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The Hormone Guru:

Tara Scott, MD, FACOG, FAAFM, ABOIM, NCMP

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