3 Surprising Menopause Symptoms Explained

This week I take at look at three surprising symptoms and explain why the menopause can cause them. Plus, I offer my advice on simple things you can do to ease these symptoms.

Read the full video transcript below

Today's topic

Hello, and welcome to my weekly video blog. And today on A.Vogel Talks Menopause, I'm going to talk about three surprising symptoms of the menopause. Now, these are symptoms that have cropped up now and again over the years, but we realise that quite a number of women actually do suffer from them, so I thought I would just go through them.

Surprising symptom 1: Nipple Pain

The first one is nipple pain. And ouch! This is such a horrible one. Your nipples can actually get so sore and so tender that you can't actually bear to wear a bra, you can't even bear to have clothing touching you.

This one usually tends to occur during the perimenopause, when your hormones are fluctuating quite a lot, very often that this is triggered when your oestrogen does a sudden spike. It can be accompanied by breast tenderness, it can be accompanied by bloating, by cramping, also by heavy periods or prolonged periods.

What you can do to help yourself

Now, if you're not on any hormonal medication then you could look at the herb Agnus castus. But this can sometimes take two to three cycles to kick in. So, in the meantime, you could use something called St. John's Wort Oil. And this is a lovely oil because it helps to reduce nerve pain. And you can apply this maybe three or four times a day. Very sparingly and just massage it very gently into the nipples.

How kelp can help you

The other thing you could look at, a lot of women say that a kelp supplement can help them. We're not really sure why, we haven't quite figured that one out, but for some women, it seems to do the trick. It also seems to help for breast tenderness, too. So it's certainly worth trying maybe for a couple of months.

Now, just a quick word on kelp. It's not recommended if you have any thyroid problems or you're on any thyroid medication, but for a general menopause supplement, it's an absolutely great one. We find it works really well for quite a few different issues.

And also, it's a lovely support for your metabolism. And we know that during the menopause, our metabolism can slow down and that can contribute to weight gain. So although this is not going to make you lose weight, it can actually help to support and to keep your metabolism steady. So, it's well worth adding into your daily health routine.

What to be aware of with breast changes

Now, the other thing that's really important here is any breast changes, no matter how small or how insignificant, please get this checked out by your doctor.

Get your bra size checked regularly

Oh, and just one more thing. Our breast tissue size and shape can change dramatically in the perimenopause and in the menopause, and wearing an ill-fitting bra can actually be part of the problem, especially if you're wearing the underwired ones. So, when you're in the perimenopause and menopause, it's really important to get your bra size checked really regularly.

Now, I did this a few years ago and I was absolutely horrified because my size was completely out. So, I now make sure that I get myself checked really regularly, and it's a good excuse to buy some nice new bras anyway.

Surprising symptom 2: Tingling, pins and needles & electric shocks

Now, second symptom is tingling pain, pins and needles, and electric shocks. So, this is not a very common one but it can become quite disconcerting because the tingling and the shocks can happen at any time.

And pins and needles very often start during the night, so you might get that really horrible tingly feeling or that kind of dead arm feeling. And it can be sore enough to actually wake you up, which is not what you want, especially if you're not sleeping particularly well anyway. This tends to be caused by falling oestrogen affecting the nerves themselves, and just causing maybe the nerves are shortening out a little bit.

What you can do to help yourself

So, for this one, one of the best things that I would recommend is a fish oil supplement. And don't forget the magnesium as well. One of the other things that can happen in the menopause is that we can end up with low vitamin B12. It's something that is just pinging on our radar at the moment. And one of the symptoms of low vitamin B12 is electronic shocks and nerve tingling. So, if you're getting this regularly then I would advice that you just get this checked out by your doctor.

Surprising symptom 3: Hot, burning feet

Now, the next one is hot feet. This is another horrible one because there you are in bed just dropping off to sleep and suddenly your feet start to burn and they get so hot that there's just no chance of you falling asleep at all. And a lot of women say to me that they have to stick their feet out at the end of the covers because they just can't cope when they're all wrapped up in their duvet.

What you can do to help yourself

Now, there can be various causes for this one, and one of the main ones is low B5. And we know that during the menopause our nervous system gets pulled in, and if we're getting a lot of anxiety and stress, then we can be quite low in the B vitamins. So, I would suggest a really good vitamin B complex, maybe 50 milligrams, and then take an extra maybe 25 milligrams of vitamin B5 on its own. And normally that can help really well.

Hot feet with joint aches and pains

The interesting thing is that the hot feet sometimes accompanies joint aches and pains. So, if you have this particular combination, it could also indicate that you're a little bit high in uric acid. And in which case, having a couple of cups of nettle tea a day, or taking nettle tincture can often sort this one out. But remember to drink plenty of water with this one too because dehydration can be another factor.

Poor circulation

The other thing it may be is poor circulation. So, we would advice just to get your blood pressure checked by the doctor if your hot feet are happening on a regular basis.

So hopefully, you found this interesting. I've got loads more very interesting and strange symptoms of the menopause, and I will be going over them from time to time. But, I shall look forward to seeing you next week on another edition of A.Vogel Talks Menopause.

78 Comments

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Hannah — 22.08.2017 05:32
Thank you for your website it is so helpful with all these symptoms that I didn't know where menopause related. I felt as though I was going mad!! Thank you again as I don't feel as alone. xx
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- eileen — 22.08.2017 12:25
  Hi Hannah You're welcome, glad to be of help!
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Linda Williams — 07.08.2017 19:56
I am 66 and my hot flushes are getting worse I thought I would have gone through menapause by now
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- eileen — 08.08.2017 10:42
  Hi Linda You are considered to be 'officially' through the menopause after not having had any periods for a year, and after another year your symptoms should have started to tail off. If you are still experiencing menopause-like symptoms (such as hot flushes or night sweats) after a lot longer then they may be due to other factors such as low iron levels, low thyroid function, low vit B12 or low vitamin D levels. It may be a good idea to ask your doctor to test for these just to rule them out. If none of these affect you then the symptoms may be an indication that your nervous system has been overwhelmed at some point. If you had a stressful menopause or have had any stress over the last few years this can have a huge impact on your nervous system which doesn't resolve itself. Adrenal Stress causes many menopause like symptoms such as flushes. If this is the case then it is important to do supportive work for the adrenals, such as taking magnesium and calming herbs such as Passiflora or Valerian. Acupuncture can often help with mysterious flushes and you could try the sage tablets as these are specifically for flushes and sweats. Also check your water intake. Flushes/sweats can dehydrate you very quickly and dehydration can affect the nervous system resulting in more flushes!
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Lynn Taylor — 31.07.2017 18:35
Hi there I have just read your blog and find myself saying "that explains that " quite a few times. I have been having common symptoms for about 7 years now and was diagnosed by a consultant as going through the menopause about 5 years ago. This blog has explained my burning feet, aching joints slow metabolism and sore nipples. I did take menopace for a few years but have been managing without for a couple of years. My symptoms seem to have worsened since stopping the contraceptive pill. I wish I had found you a few years ago. Thank yo for your advice and information x
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- eileen — 01.08.2017 11:20
  Hi Lynn You're welcome. Why not try the Menopause Support to see if that helps, you can apply for a free sample to try.
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Carol Kelso — 25.07.2017 09:17
Hi there and this site has been very useful as well as your products so thank you. Eileen maybe you can help as I don't know what stage of Menopause I am at and hopefully nearing the end. I had a Hysterectomy, leaving both ovaries in 9 years ago. Blood tests 3 years ago showed I started the change at the time and at that time I had just a week of intensive flushing and then it stopped and I just get the odd one now. Last winter I started to suffer with awful headaches but they began to fade away after about four months and I just get the odd one. Two years ago I suffered with awful anxiety and palpitations which resulted in an embarrassing trip to the ER room and found nothing wrong. It was frightening to say the least. These have also subsided and get the flutters but nothing like before. Now I am experiencing wind pain in my stomach with having the belch a lot and sometimes nauseous. Again this fluctuates but your product for digestion as helped. It can come and go. Been to GP for all blood test and 7 weeks ago had a bad stomach infection that needed an anti biotic. Also I have had pins and needles in my hand that just started so I ordered your Menopause support as has magnesium in it as you suggested. And finally, the mood swings. Anything can set me off. The crying. You feel awful after it as you are getting awful annoyed over trivia.... But today I am in good form... the sun is shinning and I'm good. I exercise a lot and have a good diet but wondering if you could shed some light on what stage I could be at. I feel I am coming out the other side but then I have set backs and I think I am back to square one. As you said, it is a roller coaster but would appreciate your input. I know all I am feeling it due to the change and oh boy, us woman deserve a gold medal after all this :) Thank you. Carol Kelso
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- eileen — 26.07.2017 08:21
  Hi Carol Please can you let me know how old you are, thanks!
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- Carol Kelso — 26.07.2017 14:57
  I am 47 in December
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- eileen — 27.07.2017 07:51
  Hi Carol When your ovaries are left you would normally have a proper menopause at roughly the same age you would have done had you not had the operation. The only difference is that you can't tell what is really going on as you don't have changing periods as a guide. If you were told 3 years ago that you were starting the menopause and you have had a number of symptoms then it is more than likely you are in the menopause now. Usually from start to finish is about 5 years and sometimes at the tail end, as your oestrogen is falling further, you can get either more symptoms or the ones you have can get worse but these usually start to tail off post menopause. Crying, mood swings, getting worried over nothing is really common and most women experience it at some point, the thing to do is realise that this is just your hormones shifting again and there is an end in sight!
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- Carol Kelso — 27.07.2017 19:20
  Thanks Eileen. Much appreciated. CK
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Sharon — 03.07.2017 21:10
I have been suffering with tender breasts and now I know why my hot sweats don't seem to be improving which can be quite embarrassing especially at work as I am literally dripping in sweat. My joints are suffering especially my knees, my mood swings are driving my family mad.I am really finding it tough going any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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- eileen — 04.07.2017 12:55
  Hi Sharon You may find the sage tablets helpful for the flushes, these tend to work quite quickly but remember the water too as dehydration can make all your symptoms worse! Why not check out my video blog on joint pain in the menopause for lots of tips on how you can help yourself. http://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/eileens-blog/2015/12/a-vogels-menopause-mondays-joint-aches-pains/ Magnesium can be great for mood swings so you could add in an extra 200mg per day if needed.
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Catherine Petit — 03.07.2017 21:07
I have started taking a daily Sage supplement to help with hot flushes and it seems to be helping. I order all my vitamins from Healthspan. Ginseng and Evening Primrose Oil help my energy levels and mood.
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- Sharon — 03.07.2017 22:01
  Hi that's really interesting I will try that thank you for putting out there
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- eileen — 04.07.2017 09:39
  Hi Catherine Great to hear that the sage is helping already!
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johanna — 16.05.2017 13:58
The menopause is a difficult time, i started to struggle with this when i was 30 years old, can you imagine it? i found some ways to relax and distract myself but do you know other ways for this? I found an app that i recommend pmsloung.net
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- eileen — 17.05.2017 10:07
  Hi Johanna What are your main symptoms as there are a number of remedies that may help, also how old are you now?
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anaon — 15.05.2017 08:49
Very interesting but it would be great if you could give any advice specifically on surgical menopause. I am in my late 30s and currently going through surgical menopause. Many thanks!
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- eileen — 15.05.2017 10:40
  Hi Anaon I did touch on this in one of my previous video blogs, do take a look if you can. If you need more info please don't hesitate to get back to me. Eileen@bioforce.co.uk https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/mirena-coil-pill-hysterectomy-how-they-impact-menopause/
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Poppy — 13.05.2017 18:12
Hi Eileen, interesting read, thank you. I was wondering if you know where the hot flushes start from? At night, when I am in bed, it feels like it starts in my stomach. I wake and have about 6- to 10 a night. Is this normal? Also, I can feel I slightly shake from inside when I get them, why is this?
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- eileen — 15.05.2017 10:40
  Hi Poppy Hot flushes can appear from just about anywhere! Some women get then from the feet upwards, some the face or neck only, some start from the fingers and others like yourself find they start from the stomach. From this area it is often triggered by a rush of adrenalin and this can cause shakes or tremors or nerve tingling. Unfortunately, it can happen just when we relaxed or are asleep. Do they tend to start round about the same time every night? That might give you a clue as to what is triggering them too for example between 1am - 3am would often indicate a stressed liver! Remember to drink plenty of plain water through out the day as flushes can dehydrate you very quickly and we know that dehydration will trigger more flushes - you may find having a small shot glass of warm water before bed can help reduce the number during the night.
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- Poppy — 17.05.2017 20:30
  Thank you Eileen. I will give this a try. This is a fantastic website!
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Pravina — 12.05.2017 14:58
I enjoyed reading this article about other symptoms of the menopause I suffer from painful sore nipples I'm glad I know it is part of the change was abit worried before. I read or watch about menopause, Eileen explains everything you need to know, I have spoken to her on the helpline I find she is polite and friendly.
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- eileen — 15.05.2017 10:40
  Hi Pravina Thank you for your kind comments!
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Yvonne — 11.05.2017 21:34
Loved reading this Eileen, a lot of very useful info & advice. Thankyou very much , I must get stocked up on the vit Bs you mention, magnesium, fish oils & get bra size checked! All what u said resonates with me . Thankyou .
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- eileen — 12.05.2017 09:41
  Hi Yvonne You're welcome and thanks for watching!
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maria — 11.05.2017 20:07
i have swetty and hot flusses
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- eileen — 12.05.2017 09:41
  Hi Maria Hot flushes and sweats can often respond well to sage so worth trying. Remember to drink lots of plain water as sweats can dehydrate you very quickly and dehydration can trigger more flushes!
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