Menopause symptoms: what to expect and how to relieve them?

34 symptoms of menopause

There is a wide range of signs and symptoms of menopause, so we have listed 34 of the most common here...

2. What can you do about these symptoms?

Although experiencing many of these symptoms can be unpleasant, fortunately there are several ways to help manage them. Read our article...

3. Research among British women over 40

More than half (51%) say they do not feel represented in the current conversation about menopause, which focuses on the experiences of white women.

Most women will experience menopausal symptoms, and there are several different factors that can affect them. These include things such as your physical activity level, BMI, smoking status, educational level, stress levels, social support networks, available healthcare, overall health, and eating habits. But that is not all; several studies have suggested that your ethnicity can also affect this.

Of course, menopause is different for every woman and is a personal experience. Regardless of ethnicity, geographic location, or culture, all women who reach 60 with intact reproductive organs will go through perimenopause and menopause.

Research among British women over 40 from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds revealed:

more than half (51%) say they do not feel represented in the current conversation about menopause, which focuses on the experiences of white women.
58% of Pakistani women
nearly seven in ten (67%) Caribbean women
53% of African women think that the current media focus on menopause only focuses on the experiences of white women.

So, do you think you could be going through menopause? Do you want to check if your symptoms are related to it? You are in the right place.

We have put together a comprehensive list of the 34 main signs and symptoms of menopause to help you understand what you are experiencing.

34 symptoms of menopause

There is a wide range of signs and symptoms of menopause, so we have listed 34 of the most common here. We will also highlight whether it is a perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause symptom so you have a little more information about what to expect on your journey.

Changes in your periods: if your periods have become irregular, it could be the start of perimenopause. Changes in flow intensity can also be an indicator of this.
Your periods have stopped: you are only considered to be fully in menopause if you have gone 12 months without bleeding.
Low mood: decreasing levels of oestrogen and progesterone can cause changes in your mood and make things affect you that normally would not.
Anxiety: the same hormonal changes mentioned above can also make you feel anxious.
Mood swings: similarly, you may experience your mood changing in a short amount of time.
Low self-esteem: all the changes that occur during menopause can make you feel bad about yourself.
Brain fog: a very common symptom of menopause, brain fog can make you feel like your brain is made of "cotton".
Memory problems: along with brain fog, you may notice that you are much more forgetful and that you struggle to retain information.
Hot flushes (and dizziness): hot flushes are probably the main symptom we associate with the transition to menopause. This happens when you feel a sudden wave of heat in the upper part of your body, but mainly in your chest, neck, and face.
Difficulty sleeping: experienced during perimenopause and full menopause, sleep problems are considered quite common by experts.
Palpitations: the change in hormones during menopause can also cause palpitations, which is when you feel your heart rate is faster than normal.
Headaches or migraines: both are experienced during perimenopause and menopause due to the interruption of menstrual cycles.
Muscle aches: although menopause may not be the only cause of this symptom, muscle aches during menopause can be caused by decreasing oestrogen levels.
Joint pain: like muscle aches, joint pain during menopause can also be caused by decreasing oestrogen levels, as there are oestrogen receptors in the joints.
Change in body shape: the distribution of fat in the body can be different when you reach menopause, as many bodies change from a "pear" shape to an "apple" shape.
Weight gain: given that hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause, it can affect how fat is stored in the body, generally due to insulin resistance.
Dry skin: during menopause, your skin loses some of its ability to retain water, which can make it quite dry.
Itchy skin: oestrogen is an important component of skin physiology, as it plays a role in collagen production and oil regulation, so when this changes, it can leave your skin dry and itchy.
Reduced libido: the drop in hormone levels can make you develop a low sex drive.
Vaginal dryness: again, the change in your hormone levels can leave you with vaginal dryness.
Vaginal pain: many women experience vaginismus during menopause, which is when the vaginal muscles contract causing pain or a burning sensation. Vaginal atrophy can also cause pain during sex.
Vaginal itching: vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) is also experienced during menopause, which can cause an itchy sensation.
Discomfort during sex: as oestrogen levels decrease, vaginal tissues can begin to thin, which can cause pain during intercourse.
Recurrent urinary tract infections: especially common in postmenopause, many women experience frequent urinary tract infections during and after menopause.
Tingling in hands or feet: also known as paresthesia, you may experience a pins and needles sensation in your extremities during menopause.
Burning mouth: also known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS), this affects 18-33% of people who go through menopause.
Changes in taste: and smell, this is another symptom reported by many people during and after menopause, and it is probably caused by fluctuating oestrogen levels.
Fatigue: this dramatic fluctuation of hormones can also lead to sleep disorders and fatigue. It can be experienced from perimenopause to postmenopause.
Bloating: both oestrogen and progesterone have an impact on the regulation of body fluids, which can lead to bloating.
Digestive problems: many people report an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms from perimenopause, whether they already had conditions such as IBS or not.
Electric shock sensations: this is another symptom commonly reported and experienced by those who go through menopause.
Hair thinning: as oestrogen levels decrease, it is believed that androgen levels increase, which can lead to androgenetic hair loss.
Brittle nails: changes in hormone levels can cause dehydration in the body, which can lead to brittle nails.
Overactive bladder: this symptom is experienced from perimenopause to postmenopause.

The list of menopause symptoms can include more than what we have mentioned here, as you can also experience things like increased allergies, changes in body odor, and more.

Of course, it is difficult to determine exactly how many symptoms are a direct result of menopause. In addition, some of these symptoms may not be due to menopause, so it is important to discuss them with a healthcare professional.

What can you do about these symptoms?

Although experiencing many of these symptoms can be unpleasant, fortunately there are several ways to help manage menopause symptoms. And as always, please talk to your doctor about your symptoms, as they should be able to help you with your experience.

Final words

Do you feel a little more informed about menopause symptoms? If you are looking for support to manage or identify your symptoms, try a Holland & Barrett store with our experts or take a look at the products to support you during menopause.

Sources

Disclaimer

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical attention. Make sure to consult your doctor or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments, or remedies. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 772 BAME women aged 40 or over, of whom 650 respondents are in some stage of menopause or are unsure. The fieldwork was carried out between 30 May and 7 June 2023. The survey was conducted online. The figures have been weighted to be representative of BAME women in the UK aged over 40.

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What are the symptoms of menopause?

In this article

34 symptoms of menopause

2. What can you do about these symptoms?

3. Research among British women over 40

34 symptoms of menopause

What can you do about these symptoms?

Final words

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