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Menopause & Perimenopause Symptoms

Menopause Symptoms to be aware of include the following.  If you are experiencing any of these menopause symptoms contact your physician immediately.  Menopause symptoms are an early warning signal to help warn you of coming changes.  These menopause symptoms, if acknowledged and dealt with immediately, can prolong your life and improve your lifestyle.

This list of common symptoms that occur during Perimenopause and Menopause was developed from the real-life experiences of hundreds of women. All symptoms were experienced by numerous women and were either cyclical in nature, or responded to treatments (both traditional and alternative) known to address hormonal imbalances.

1. Hot flashes, flushes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
Hot flashes result from dilation of blood vessels to the skin, resulting in the feeling of warmth or intense heat. The sensation of warmth travels as a wave over the body and can cause flushing. Heat is lost from the core of the body by evaporative cooling, resulting in a chill and/or perspiration. Hot flashes during the night can result in night sweats and frequently interfere with sleep. Although the exact cause of hot flashes is not certain, estrogen supplementation often relieves the symptoms.

2. Irregular heart beat
There is an increased risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis, strokes, abnormal heart rhythms, coronary artery disease, and high blood pressure) in women after menopause. The association of declining estrogen levels and CV disease is uncertain. After menopause the levels of LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) increases and can lead to blocked arteries. In the past, estrogen supplementation was thought to provide protective cardiovascular effects, but recent studies have not supported this, and suggest that they increase the risk of heart attacks in certain people during initial treatment. It is important for postmenopausal women to maintain a normal cholesterol level and to exercise in order to counter the normal changes that occur.

3. Irritability
Irritability can go hand-in-hand with mood swings. Think of this as the PMS of menopausal women.

4. Mood swings, sudden tears , depression
Fluctuations in hormone levels may be associated with mood swings and depression that some perimenopausal women report. Sex hormones influence certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood. When symptoms are pronounced, relaxation therapy, counseling and/or prescription medications (antianxiety or antidepressant drugs) are often beneficial.

5. Trouble sleeping through the night (with or without night sweats)
Insomnia is often caused by night sweats but can also occur without these hot flash menopause symptoms.

6. Irregular periods; shorter, lighter periods; heavier periods, flooding; phantom periods, shorter cycles, longer cycles
Irregular uterine bleeding includes lighter or heavier bleeding, change in cycle length, and skipped menses. It is normal for the majority of women to experience 4 to 8 years of menstrual cycle changes before menopause. Abnormal uterine bleeding, may indicate an underlying disease process and requires further investigation.

7. Loss of libido
Although libido is affected by psychological and social factors, physical factors (including hormone levels) play an important role. Decreased libido is a common complaint in postmenopausal women, especially in those who have had a hysterectomy with ovary removal. Some women, particularly those with surgically induced menopause, benefit from low dose testosterone therapy, often in combination with estrogen therapy. Testosterone supplements occasionally cause facial hair, acne, irritability, liver abnormalities and can affect blood cholesterol levels. Therefore blood tests are monitored to check hormone levels, liver function and cholesterol levels.

8. Dry vagina
The thinning of vaginal lining can also cause painful intercourse. Loss of tissue lining the vagina or bladder cause symptoms in many postmenopausal women such as vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, local swelling, the urge for frequent urination, and urinary incontinence. Due to the changes in secretions, the vaginal pH becomes more alkaline and provides a better environment for certain bacteria to grow. There is an increased risk of developing vaginal and urinary tract infections. Estrogen, taken orally or applied topically, is often effective in relieving these symptoms.

9. Crashing fatigue
Fatigue is a common menopause symptoms complaint, especially for women who experience night sweats (nighttime hot flashes) that interrupt sleep patterns.

10. Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
The female sex hormones affect certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Women’s mood can be affected when these hormones are out of kilter, causing a variety of emotional upheavals like mood swings, irritability, depression and anxiety.

11. Feelings of dread, apprehension, doom
The female sex hormones affect certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood. Women’s mood can be affected when these hormones are out of kilter, causing a variety of emotional upheavals like mood swings, irritability, depression and anxiety.

12. Difficulty concentrating, disorientation, mental confusion
Although the relationship between impaired memory/concentration and hormonal changes are not certain, many perimenopausal women complain of these symptoms. Although the benefit of estrogen on memory improvement is not definitely proven, many women claim estrogen supplementation is beneficial in this regard.

13. Disturbing memory lapses
Although the relationship between impaired memory/concentration and hormonal changes are not certain, many perimenopausal women complain of these symptoms. Although the benefit of estrogen on memory improvement is not definitely proven, many women claim estrogen supplementation is beneficial in this regard.

14. Incontinence, especially upon sneezing, laughing; urge incontinence
The organs surrounding the vagina can also thin and shrink during menopause. The thinning of the bladder and urethra can cause incontinence. 

15. Itchy, crawly skin
A large degree of the aging manifest in older skin is related to sun exposure and cigarette smoking. Sun damage is also the main factor associated with the appearance of age spots. The main protein in the skin that is responsible for skin thickness and resilience is collagen. The collagen content of the skin decreases after menopause. The outer layer of the skin is less able maintain an adequate water content and dry skin results. Skin moisturization (particularly after bathing while the skin is moist) and avoidance of sun exposure are the main deterrents to aging skin.

16. Aching, sore joints, muscles and tendons
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

17. Increased tension in muscles
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

18. Breast tenderness
Yet another PMS symptom that carries over to menopause symptoms.

19. Headache change: increase or decrease
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

20. Gastrointestinal distress, indigestion, flatulence, gas pain, nausea
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

21. Sudden bouts of bloat
Just when you thought the PMS symptoms were over ... Fluctuating hormone levels can cause water retention.

22. Depression
Fluctuations in hormone levels may be associated with mood swings and depression that some perimenopausal women report. Sex hormones influence certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood. When symptoms are pronounced, relaxation therapy, counseling and/or prescription medications (antianxiety or antidepressant drugs) are often beneficial.

23. Exacerbation of existing conditions
Just as some menopause symptoms can spur on others, they can also place a greater stress on existing conditions.

24. Increase in allergies
Just as some menopause symptoms can spur on others, they can also place a greater stress on existing conditions.

25. Weight gain
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

26. Hair loss or thinning, head, pubic, or whole body; increase in facial hair
This symptom, like brittle fingernails and dry skin, is related to falling hormone levels. Women whose hair loss is significant may choose to wear wigs or explore hair replacement measures.

27. Dizziness, light-headedness, episodes of loss of balance
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

28. Changes in body odor
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

29. Electric shock sensation under the skin and in the head
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

30. Tingling in the extremities
Heart palpitations, Headaches/ migraines, Muscle tension, Aching joints/muscles, Weight gain/increased appetite, Dizziness, light-headedness, Gastrointestinal changes (indigestion, gas, nausea), Tingling feeling in hands and feet.

31. Gum problems, increased bleeding
After menopause, the incidence of gum disease and tooth loss increases. Tooth loss has been linked to osteoporosis. There is loss of bone in the jaw area and in sockets in which the teeth fit. Estrogen supplementation appears to decrease the risk of dental changes.

32. Burning tongue, burning roof of mouth, bad taste in mouth, change in breath odor
After menopause, the incidence of gum disease and tooth loss increases. Tooth loss has been linked to osteoporosis. There is loss of bone in the jaw area and in sockets in which the teeth fit. Estrogen supplementation appears to decrease the risk of dental changes. Along with bad taste in the mouth, changes in breath are related to the above mentioned menopause symptoms.

33. Osteoporosis (after several years)
Osteoporosis is marked by below normal bone strength due to decreased bone density. In osteoporosis, there is an increased risk of bone fracture. Most cases of osteoporosis are seen in postmenopausal women, however there are increased reports of its occurrence in elderly men. Postmenopausal women require approximately 1500 mg/day of elemental calcium and 400 to 800 IU/day of vitamin D from food and supplements. Protective effects against bone loss are provided by estrogen supplementation, SERMs or biphosphonates.

34. Changes in fingernails: softer, crack or break easier
Also related to falling hormone levels.

35. Tinnitus: ringing in ears, bells, 'whooshing,' buzzing etc.
Menopausal women often report ringing in the ears, also called "tinnitus."

NOTES:

Symptom 1 (flashes) Hot flashes are due to the hypothalamic response to declining ovarian estrogen production. The declining estrogen state induces hypophysiotropic neurons in the arcuate nucleas of the hypothalamus to release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a pulsatile fashion, which in turn stimulates release of luteinizing hormone (LH). Extremely high pulses of LH occur during the period of declining estrogen production. The LH has vasodilatory effects, which leads to flushing.
Symptom 7 (loss of libido) For some women the loss is so great that they actually find sex repulsive, in much the same way as they felt before puberty. What hormones give, loss of hormones can take away.
Symptom 8 (dry vagina) results in painful intercourse
Symptom 11 (doom thoughts) includes thoughts of death, picturing one's own death
Symptom 14(incontinence) reflects a general loss of smooth muscle tone
Symptom 15 (itchy, crawly skin) feeling of ants crawling under the skin, not just dry itchy skin
Symptom 16 (aching sore joints) may include such problems as carpal tunnel syndrome
Symptom 22 (depression) different from other depression, the inability to cope is overwhelming. There is a feeling of loss of self. Hormone therapy ameliorates the depression dramatically.
Symptom 25 (weight gain) often around the waist and thighs, resulting in 'the disappearing waistline'
Symptom 29 (shock sensation) "the feeling of a rubber band snapping in the layer of tissue between skin and muscle. It is a precursor to a hot flash"
Symptom 30 (tingling in extremities) can also be a symptom of B-12 deficiency, diabetes, alterations in the flexibility of blood vessels, or a depletion of potassium or calcium
Symptom 35* (tinnitus) one of those physical conditions that seems to manifest in some women at the same time as menopause. It can be associated with health conditions such as hypothyroidism and heart disease, and is a known side-effect of many medications, including aspirin (salicylates) and Prozac.

SOME OF THE 35 MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS MAY ALSO BE SIGNS OF THE FOLLOWING:

hypothyroidism
diabetes
depression with another etiology
other medical conditions

If you have reason to believe you may have one of these conditions, please see your doctor for treatment.



* Notes added by ProjectAWARE group.