62 Menopause Symptoms

Author

MenoFlow
July 05, 2024

Despite menopause being associated with 62 symptoms, the UK's largest-ever study into the condition reveals that women typically only recognize five. Conducted by hygiene and health company Essity, the study surveyed 5,000 women who were pre-menopausal, peri-menopausal, or post-menopausal. The research found that women are generally aware of hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and irregular periods as signs of menopause.

The Broader Spectrum of Symptoms

Menopause specialist Dr. Naomi Potter points out that there are many other symptoms linked to this stage of a woman’s life. These include:

  • Tinnitus

  • Urinary infections

  • Changes in body odour

  • Weakened bones

  • Restless legs

  • Increased allergies

  • Heart palpitations

  • Changes in oral health

The study highlighted a significant knowledge gap even among those who have completed their menopausal journey, with many women remaining largely uninformed about the symptoms they experienced.

Educational Initiatives to Bridge the Knowledge Gap

To help women better understand their changing bodies, educational packs have been created by Essity and Dr. Potter. One common misunderstanding is that menopause spans many years. Dr. Potter clarifies that the transition period is actually referred to as perimenopause, during which hormones can fluctuate for an extended period. Menopause itself occurs 12 months after a woman’s last period.

Dr. Potter elaborates: “I hear of so many myths from women who are unsure about what their body will or is going through, many of whom are in total denial. Women believe they can't experience symptoms in their forties because they're not old enough, or their symptoms aren't menopausal when in fact, if they're over 45, it's likely they are."

Lack of Medical Consultation and Information

The study found that only 40% of women sought advice from a GP for their symptoms, and nearly half felt they lacked information about what was happening to their bodies. A staggering 56% were constantly taken aback by their experiences.

Only 1% of women knew that less common symptoms such as urinary frequency or vaginal changes could be part of the menopause journey until they experienced them. Similarly, only 2% were aware that they might have to deal with issues like incontinence, skin problems, or heart palpitations.

Common Misconceptions

There are several widespread misconceptions about menopause:

  • Dizziness, loss of confidence, and joy: Only 3% of women realized these feelings were directly linked to changes in their hormone levels.

  • Hereditary onset and symptoms: Four out of ten women were unsure if the onset of menopause can be hereditary.

  • Sex drive and weight gain: Two-thirds of women were clueless about the possibility of decreased sex drive, and 74% didn't realize menopause could be associated with weight gain.

The 62 Menopause Symptoms

Dr. Naomi Potter has identified a comprehensive list of 62 symptoms associated with menopause:

  1. Palpitations

  2. Chest pain

  3. Breast tenderness

  4. Itchy skin

  5. Dry Skin

  6. Rosacea

  7. Acne

  8. Thin skin

  9. Collagen loss

  10. Crying

  11. Brain Fog

  12. Memory Loss

  13. Poor concentration

  14. Word finding difficulty

  15. Anxiety

  16. Low mood

  17. Worsening PMS

  18. Anger/ Rage

  19. Irritability

  20. Headache

  21. Migraines

  22. Joint Pain

  23. Joint stiffness

  24. Vaginal Dryness

  25. Vaginal discharge

  26. Vulval itch

  27. Perineal itch

  28. Vulval/ vaginal electric shocks

  29. Increase in thrush

  30. Increase in BV

  31. Poor libido

  32. High libido

  33. Weight gain

  34. Scalp Hair loss

  35. Unwanted Hair growth

  36. Urinary Infections

  37. Urinary incontinence

  38. Urinary urgency

  39. Nocturia (getting up at night)

  40. Sexual Dysfunction

  41. Chest tightness

  42. Constipation

  43. Gastric reflux

  44. Fatigue

  45. Night Sweats

  46. Hot flushes

  47. Cold flushes

  48. Period increased frequency

  49. Periods decreased frequency

  50. Heavier periods

  51. Muscle Loss

  52. Tinnitus

  53. Dry eyes

  54. Watery eyes

  55. Burning mouth

  56. Gum disease

  57. Foot pain

  58. Frozen shoulder

  59. Insomnia

  60. Histamine sensitivity

  61. New allergy

  62. Body odour change