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The 6 most common symptoms of menopause to look out for
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The menopause can give rise to many symptoms, ranging form the widely recognised hot flush and sweats to obscure symptoms such as brittle nails and high blood pressure. Here, our menopause expert Eileen Durward is on hand to guide you through the menopause symptoms to expect and the natural solutions available.
Symptoms of the menopause can vary considerably from one person to the next. This page describes the 6 most common symptoms as compiled from questions asked at the A.Vogel menopause helpline.
It also gives a brief description of the less common symptoms you can expect when going through the menopause.
However, bear in mind that even if you are the ‘typical’ age, your symptoms may not be due to the menopause. If in any doubt, make an appointment with your doctor.
The hot flush, usually accompanied by sweating, is said to be the most common symptom encountered. It is experienced by over 80% of women going through the menopause. The problem arises as changes in hormone levels upset the temperature regulating part of the brain.
As hot flushes and sweats often occur together, the two terms are commonly used interchangeably to describe the same set of symptoms. A night sweat is simply excessive sweating or a hot flush at night. As night sweats can cause sleep problems, they have the potential be disruptive to quality of life.
Sudden changes in room temperature, eating spicy foods as well as stress can trigger hot flushes and sweats.
Menopause occurs when periods stop. However, it is rare that the monthly menstrual bleed ceases suddenly. Most commonly, the menstrual cycle becomes irregular with a tendency towards heavy, prolonged or painful periods.
This usually marks the start of the first stage of the menopause and is known medically as the Peri-menopause. Other symptoms such as irritability or low mood may also be present. These may appear or worsen in the week or so before each menstrual bleed and considered to be a form of PMS (Pre-menstrual syndrome).
Sometimes a woman may go for a few months without a period, only for it to return with a vengeance.
Excessively heavy periods may be an indication of fibroids affecting the womb or other gynaecological disorder, especially if accompanied by severe pain. It is always best to consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Change in hormones during the menopause not only affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle. They can also cause breast pain or tenderness. This arises because the female hormones get thrown out of balance and is usually seen at around the time of ovulation or menstruation.
In addition, lower oestrogen levels, together with a decrease in testosterone during this time of life, can lead to a reduction in libido or sexual drive. This may be made worse as a result of vaginal dryness which arises because of a reduction in oestrogen, blood flow and lubrication.
Becoming older often means a natural reduction in physical activity – so the menopause will not be the only reason for weight gain. Having said that, changes in hormone levels do influence body weight, although the way it does this is not always consistent.
In general, women tend to gain weight during the menopause. Use this information to prepare yourself - exercise more and watch what you eat.
Decreasing levels of hormones during the menopause can affect the way the brain functions and women may experience the symptom of mood swings or low mood during the menopause. These symptoms are probably more common than we realise, and very occasionally, changes in hormones can even lead to depression.
Low mood during the menopause is not helped by the fact that this phase of life can be associated with children leaving home, creating ‘empty nests’ – not helpful when you are already feeling a bit down anyway.
Anxiety and irritability can also be part of the menopause. Some women find these symptoms similar in nature to Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and cope with them as such. Occasionally, anxiety or irritability may be accompanied by palpitations, or an awareness of one’s heartbeat.
Many women experience muscle pain whilst going through the menopause1. Studies have shown that 50% of post-menopausal women experience joint pain2. The most commonly affected areas of the body are the neck, shoulders, elbows and hands.
Hormones play an important role in a woman’s joint health and fluctuating oestrogen levels during the menopause can have an impact on how your muscles and joints behave. If you experience symptoms of joint or muscle pain and stiffness, there are a number of ways you can help yourself naturally.
Changing your diet can have a positive effect on these symptoms of menopause. Stay away from sugar and increase your intake of vitamin C. The use of arnica gel externally can also help to reduce the aches and pains experienced.
Other symptoms of the menopause are more rarely encountered and include:
Menopause headaches. These may be a direct outcome of irritability and anxiety. Although not fully understood, it seems that hormonal changes during the menopause may have a direct effect, giving rise to headaches in (probably) the same way that women with migraines suffer headaches at particular points in their menstrual cycle. Read more about headaches and the menopause.
Forgetfulness. Women may experience a tendency to memory lapses during the menopause. We are not sure why this happens, but what we know is that oestrogen receptors are found in many areas of the brain3.
Recent research has shown that women more troubled by hot flushes and night sweats had more memory problems because of disturbed sleep, if you are feeling low or anxious. The symptom often improves as one gets through the menopause. However, you can help yourself by ditching your pride and working with notes and lists.
Disturbed sleep. Night sweats and hot flushes are not the only reasons for sleep problems during the menopause. Changes in hormones during the menopause can, on its own, give rise to difficulty sleeping.
Symptoms include waking up often during the night, poor quality sleep and driving your partner mad tossing and turning through the night. If your sleep problems are not related to night sweats or hot flushes, you may wish to download our guide on what you can do when you are Sleeping Poorly.
Hair, skin and nails during the menopause. The condition of one’s hair, skin and nails can be a sign or symptom of how healthy we are.
During the menopause, some women find that these parts of the body lose condition, lustre and strength.
Hormonal changes during the menopause cause the connective tissue under our skin to become thinner and less elastic.
This can lead to the dreaded wrinkles but also affects the way our hair and nails are ‘fed’ nutritionally.
Bladder problems. Weakness of connective tissue may not simply affect hair, skin and nails during the menopause.These same changes can also affect the tissues controlling your bladder and you may find a need to pass urine more frequently during the menopause.In the same way, the tissues surrounding the vagina become weaker.
Digestive problems. These are also caused by weakness of connective tissue as the levels of hormones decline, making the digestive system less able to function normally. Symptoms such as indigestion and bloating may be experienced.
Osteoporosis. This condition is popularly known as ‘thinning of the bones’. It comes about when bones lose their calcium content and weaken.
The hormone oestrogen is an important factor stimulating the cells responsible for building bones. Lower levels of the hormone during and after the menopause cause a gradual loss of bone strength.
Although this tendency is seen in all menopausal women, not everyone is at risk of osteoporosis. Those with a family history of the problem, smokers and women who have been less physically active in the past are more prone to the problem.
Read more about osteoporosis.
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L Anne — 23.05.2021 18:00
Hi, I will be 47 in a few months time and I've been feeling very low, everything annoys me, mood swings, crying and feeling depressed for no reason, agitated, tired, can't get out of bed in the mornings (not me at all) and now flushes during the day (one minute sweating and the next freezing) and night sweats. Sensitivity on parts of my body. I do not have bleeding anymore but my body seems to go the other symptoms on a monthly basis. Is this the start of the Menopause?
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eileen — 24.05.2021 11:44
Hi L Anne
It does sound like it, if your periods have stopped you would be classed as in the menopause. These symptoms are quite common ones too.
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Alyson Storm — 11.05.2021 18:15
Hi my name is Alyson Storm I am almost 48 year's old I had a hysterectomy at 32 I still have one ovary, when will menapause begin I am getting hot flashes but not so bad but my breasts are always sore
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eileen — 12.05.2021 14:01
Hi Alyson
When an ovary is left, you would normally have the menopause at roughly the same as you would have done, had you not had the operation. The average age for this is 45-55 so you are in the normal age range. Unfortunately, without missing periods as a guide it is difficult to tell if you are in the menopause. You can only go by specific menopause symptoms (flushes and sore breasts are very common ones) but the only way to tell for sure would be to ask your doctor for a hormone test.
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colette — 08.12.2018 13:51
Hi just wondering im 45' yr don't know if im.starting the change or what....everything annoys me ..crying .....no appetite really....tired ....need help please
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Eileen — 10.12.2018 09:35
Hi Colette
Please can you let me know if your periods are changing at all, thanks.
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colette — 10.12.2018 09:35
Well I got them twice one month ...can get them didferent times of the month now but only once ....I am annoyed by everything ....no patience ...cry alot ....think im goin mad actually some times
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Eileen — 10.12.2018 15:43
Hi Colette
Your symptoms are common ones and most women will experience them at some point! I have posted a video blog on this so please do take a look. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/the-mentalpause-revisited/
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Lisa Dowling — 14.10.2018 18:13
I'm 49 and I have had a hysterectomy at 32 could I still get menopause
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Eileen — 16.10.2018 06:14
Hi Lisa
Please can you let me know if you had a full hysterectomy or were your ovaries left, thanks. You can email me provately if you wish. eileen@bioforce.co.uk
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Kelly — 05.09.2018 23:32
Im 40 i just wanying to know what are the sign of menopause
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Eileen — 06.09.2018 14:25
Hi kelly
Hopefully the info above can help you. Please also check out https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/am-i-menopausal/
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Janice — 30.04.2018 07:03
I'm 47. My nipples are sssoooo sensitive. I had surgery in September to remove a golf ball size lump. That the Dr thought was caused by caffeine. I have been hurting ever since. Is these part of the symptoms of perimenopause
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eileen — 01.05.2018 09:58
Hi Janice
Sore nipples are really common in the peri-menopause and often respond well to supplements such as kelp, calcium and magnesium or nettle. Dehydration can be a factor too so remember to drink lots of plain water. However, if this started after the operation it is important to check this with your doctor as well just in case it is related.
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Debbie — 07.10.2017 12:33
Hello, I have just signed up to your free trail hoping this will help. Periods started to alter about 3 years ago hot flushes and period every 3 weeks. Then I would have nothing for a month then period carry on again. Then not had a period for 3 months checked I wasn’t pregnant, then I have started bleeding again and been bleeding for the last 3 weeks non stop. Having a lot of headaches and a feeling of being drunk unsteady on feet. My joints and whole body is aching and feel a total mess.
Cannot seem to keep my concentrate properly either. Just need some help as really feel not coping now. Regards
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Donna — 04.10.2017 19:12
Hi I'm 45 I've been trying for children for 10 years I've had tests done so there's nothing wrong with me but I didn't have my period last month I've been getting hot flushes but I've been getting them for over a year as I suffer from high blood pressure can anyone help me please I've also done 2 pregnancy tests that come back negative I'm suffering with headaches as well many thanks
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eileen — 05.10.2017 09:26
Hi Donna
I would suggest asking your doctor for a hormone test to see if there is still a possibility of you getting pregnant. You could also check out www.foresight-preconception.org.uk for more advice.
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Jayne — 04.10.2017 11:22
Thank you.
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HELEN — 03.10.2017 20:56
Give anything a go
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Eileen Black — 02.10.2017 22:09
I’m 46 now and I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago.. but they left my ovaries. The last two years, I’ve had terrible depression and mood swings so bad my marriage broke down. I’m now getting hot flushes, dreadful sweats day and night along with pain in my neck and shoulders. I also suffered my first migraine a few weeks ago. I’m going to ask the what I think I know already..Is this menopause ?? Oh and my memory has been shocking lately.
I’ve appointment made to see the doctor next week, to get my bloods done. But any recommendations would be gratefully received...
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eileen — 03.10.2017 10:24
Hi Eileen
If your ovaries are left most women would have the menopause at roughly the same age as they would have done had they not had the operation so it is possible that you are starting. These are all common symptoms and migraines are often caused by a combination of lowering oestrogen and low magnesium. You may find our Menopause Support and an extra 200mg of magnesium can help to ease symptoms. Joint aches can often be helped with magnesium as well. Dehydration can be a big factor, flushes can dehydrate you really quickly which in turn can cause joint pains, anxiety/low mood, foggy thinking and migraines so remember to drink lots of plain water every day! However, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor just in case these are not related.
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Clare King — 30.09.2017 21:51
I am 48 and no periods for two months feel hot dizzy spells sad depressed
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eileen — 03.10.2017 10:24
Hi Clare
Missing periods are often an indication that you are starting the approach to the menopause and your symptoms are quite common ones. However, it is best to see your doctor re the dizziness and this can be caused by other factors such as low blood pressure. You may find a magnesium supplement and vitamin B Complex can ease the moods and remember to drink lots of water! You could also add in the Menopause Support as this is known to gently raise and balance oestrogen
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