It’s little wonder that the area of menopause health is a growing area for focus when a commonly Googled question is ‘What are the 34 symptoms of menopause?’ When you start to research, many people are surprised that there are so many symptoms and some of them are not widely known. In this blog, we will explore 5 of the symptoms of menopause which can often be overlooked by caregivers and women themselves.

So, what are the 34 symptoms of menopause?

According to the London PMS and Menopause Clinic, there are 34 symptoms of menopause that are officially recognised by medics due to ongoing research.

1. Hot flushes

2. Night sweats

3. Irregular periods

4. Mood swings

5. Vaginal dryness

6. Decreased libido

7. Headaches

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8. Breast soreness

9. Burning mouth

10. Joint pain

11. Digestive problems

12. Electric shocks

13. Muscle tension

14. Gum problems

15. Tingling

16. Itchy skin

17. Fatigue

18. Disrupted sleep

19. Hair loss

20. Memory lapses

21. Poor concentration

22. Anxiety

23. Weight gain

24. Dizzy spells

25. Bloating

26. Stress incontinence

27. Brittle nails

28. Allergies

29. Irregular heartbeat

30. Body odour

31. Irritability

32. Depression

33. Panic disorder

34. Osteoporosis

(List compiled by The London PMS and Menopause Clinic)

Some of these symptoms are widely known and spoken about, such as hot flushes, night sweats and irregular periods. Others have had much less press and many women are not aware that what they are experiencing is a menopause symptom.

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5 symptoms of menopause that may surprise you:

1. Memory lapses

Fluctuating oestrogen levels can impact the brain, making it harder for you to remember the right word, memorise data and even recall what you went into a room to retrieve. Mild memory problems may be irritating but strategies such as note taking and having routines can help with this symptom. More pronounced memory issues are sometimes bad enough to cause women to leave their jobs or stop driving because they no longer feel capable. Changes to diet, exercise and managing stress can help with these issues.

2. Body odour

The body’s natural scent is affected by hormone levels so you may find that your odour alters during menopause and this can be distressing. This can sometimes be caused by the body’s inability to eliminate toxins due to sluggish digestion. Toxins are excreted via sweat glands causing an odour change.

3. Burning mouth

Burning Mouth Syndrome affects the tongue and the inside of the mouth and lips which experience burning, stinging or tingling sensations. It’s believed to be caused by oestrogen and other hormone imbalance and can affect up to 1 in 3 women. Some women also suffer from strange tastes, dry mouth and sensitivity to certain foods. There are a range of options including improving the diet to help manage symptoms.

4. Electric shocks

Electric shock sensations are felt throughout the body. These are due to inappropriate firing of neurons due to changing oestrogen levels and are often felt before or after a hot flush. This symptom is not dangerous, but it can feel rather unpleasant and can be relieved by addressing the hormone level fluctuations.

5. Allergies

As oestrogen levels drop this can impact the nervous system, causing the body to produce more histamine. Histamine is a protective substance but if the body is stressed it can produce excess and this can lead to allergy symptoms. Women can suddenly become allergic to things that have never been a problem before.

As with all menopause symptoms, there are many remedies and options which could help to alleviate some of the issues. Improving your nutrition can play a huge part in reducing problems such as allergies, weight gain, brittle nails, joint pain and digestive issues. It’s also possible that better diet and supplementation could reduce the severity of mental health related problems such as anxiety, depression and memory problems.

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If you would like support with any of the 34 symptoms of menopause, download my free guide to healthy happy hormones or email me at info@victoriabellnutrition.co.uk.