What Are the 34 Symptoms of Menopause?
Perimenopause can affect your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. The symptoms can last from 4 to 12 years. And whilst menopause itself refers to one day (the date that marks 12 months since your last period), the impacts of menopause can affect you into post-menopause.
We asked our charity partners The Menopause Charity to give us an expert overview of symptoms that menopause might bring. Here are the 34 most common signs.
Physical Symptoms:
- Hot flushes
- Sweating at night
- Heart Palpitations
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling tired or lacking in energy
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Headaches
- Tinnitus
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Sore gums
- Muscle and joint pains
- Breathing difficulties
- Needing a wee more often, or urine leaks
- Vaginal dryness or soreness
- More thrush or cystitis episodes
- Dry or itchy skin
- Thinning hair
- Poor sleep
Psychological Symptoms:
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Feeling tense or nervous
- Memory problems
- Attacks of anxiety or panic
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in most things
- Feeling unhappy or depressed
- Crying spells
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Loss of confidence
- Reduced self-esteem
- Brain fog
- Loss of interest in sex and/or level of arousal
Why Do Menopause Symptoms Happen?
As diverse as these symptoms are, they all happen because of declining and fluctuating hormone levels which influence the brain, bones, heart, and muscles as well as reproductive health. The main hormone is oestrogen, but progesterone and testosterone also play a part.
For many women, symptoms begin during perimenopause which can last for several years leading up to menopause. It’s often an unspoken struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’re supporting The Menopause Charity throughout October for Let’s Talk Menopause Month.
Let’s Talk Menopause
Hopefully, it’s reassuring to know you’re not alone with menopause symptoms, but it’s even more reassuring to know that there’s support.
1. Speak up
Whether to your GP, a partner, or a wellness professional, open up about your symptoms and how they are affecting you. Understand what support is available and be proactive about asking for it.
2. Get moving
Regular physical activity (including walking) can reduce symptoms and improve your mood, sleep, and emotional wellbeing.
3. Explore your options
From lifestyle changes and HRT to complementary therapies, you have choices during perimenopause and menopause.
4. Nourish well
A balanced diet, plenty of hydration, and quality sleep can help you feel more like yourself as you navigate this life stage.
How We’re Supporting You
Recognising the symptoms of menopause is the first step towards managing them, and we’re here to support you.
As part of Let’s Talk Menopause Month at The Club Company, we’ve partnered with The Menopause Charity to bring you (and your family members) expert talks, fitness and wellness sessions, style workshops, and social events
Let’s Talk Menopause together.