Symptoms of the Menopause

Every woman experiences the menopause differently. Some hardly notice 'the change', except perhaps their periods become irregular. However 70% of women experience some if not all of the menopausal symptoms and many suffer every symptom and find their lives are severely affected.  

The transition into the menopause is usually gradual and is accompanied by a range of symptoms including:  

Hot flushes and sweating

Flushes and sweats (known as vasomotor symptoms) are due to altered function of the body’s temperature control.  They can occur without warning but may be precipitated by a hot drink, change in room temperature, alcohol and stress.

The most common symptoms by far are ‘hot flushes’ and sweating attacks, usually lasting for three to six minutes. These episodes can happen at any time, as often as several times an hour.

Exactly why flushes and sweats occur is not fully understood, but mostly it is because the automatic controls of the nervous system become erratic.  This triggers the skin blood vessels to open and signals the sweat glands to become active at any time. Usually, this would only happen if you were too hot and needed to lose heat.  

 
Sleep disturbance

Sleeping difficulty can be due to problems falling asleep, restlessness or night-time sweats. Some women sweat heavily and have to get up to change the sheets several times a night. 
 

 
 

 Psychological changes 

Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, difficulty coping, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating may be related to hormonal changes, either directly or indirectly, for example due to sleep disturbance.  However, other life events such as worry over teenage children, elderly relatives and stresses of work may also contribute to such “symptoms” around the time of the menopause.
 
Sexual Changes
 
Sexual problems may be caused by vaginal dryness due to low oestrogen levels, resulting in discomfort during intercourse.  Effective treatments are available.  As men and women get older, interest in sex may decrease but this particularly affects women. 

Later menopause symptoms are due to the effects of lack of oestrogen on the bladder and vagina and include: -

Passing urine more frequently by day and night
Discomfort on passing urine
Urine infection
Leakage of urine
Vaginal dryness, discomfort, burning and itching.

These symptoms are extremely common and can cause significant distress but, often due to embarrassment, are under-reported and hence under-treated. Local vaginal oestrogen preparations (tablet, creams, pessaries or vaginal ring) can be very helpful in relieving these symptoms.  Low dose vaginal oestrogen can be used when systemic oestrogen is inappropriate, and can be continued in the long term without any known adverse effects. Non hormonal vaginal moisturisers can also be used
 
Physical changes 
 
During the menopause your skin becomes thinner.  Skin may become dryer, thinner, less elastic and more prone to bruising.  Skin itching can also occur.  Skin symptoms often respond to oestrogen replacement.

Hair thinning, dryness and the growth of unwanted hair can also be explained by the lack of oestrogen.

Headaches, palpitations and dizziness which may be associated with the same vasomotor symptoms that control hot flushes.

The lack of oestrogen also affects the bladder and you may find you need to pass water more often.

Joint aches can be a common symptom but their association with the menopause often goes unrecognised, as it is also age related.

There is a gradual rise in the risk of heart disease and stroke after the menopause.
 
Osteoporosis
 

In recent years there has been a lot of interest in osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) in connection with the menopause. Oestrogen normally stimulates the bone-building cells.  As a result of the drop in oestrogen, women tend to lose bone mass and strength for several years following the menopause. Ultimately, this can make the bones more likely to collapse or fracture.

Bone thinning itself does not cause any symptoms with osteoporosis being known as the “silent disease”. The first warning sign can be a fracture after a simple fall or bump. It is estimated that by the age of 70, one third to one half of women will have had an osteoporosis related fracture.

Factors that may increase your risk of osteoporosis include:

Breaking a bone after a simple fall or bump
Premature (before age 40) or early (before age 45) menopause
Family history including a maternal history of hip fracture
Steroid therapy, e.g. Prednisilone at any dose for longer than 3 months
Smoking and excess alcohol intake
Lack of weight bearing exercise
 

Helping with symptoms of the Menopause

Lifestyle Considerations
For some women, lifestyle factors such as reducing / stopping smoking, eating healthily, reducing caffeine, reducing alcohol intake, reducing stress and taking regular exercise can considerably help the symptoms of the menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
For others hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be beneficial, and indeed menopausal symptoms are the main reason for using HRT. Click here to read our informed Hormone Repalcement Therapy information.

Alternative Treatments
Treating the symptoms that cause particular problems is a common route and there are many conventional and alternative treaments.  Click here to visit our informed alternative menopause treatments. 
 
Remember it's YOUR Menopause
 
All women go through the menopause at some time in their life.

Individual experiences of the menopause differ and the decision on you manage this will depend on a number of factors including your age of menopause, the presence of any symptoms and how these affect quality of your life and your osteoporosis risk. 

Some women prefer to take a more “natural” approach to menopause management whilst some women will choose to go on to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). 

The choice is yours and it is important to make the best decision for yourself. 

In all women, dietary and lifestyle measures play an important part, particularly in menopausal years, in  promoting general well being, and in reducing the risks of heart disease and osteoporosis.  You should ensure that you take adequate exercise and a healthy well balanced diet as part of your menopause management.

What help is there to get you through the Menopause?

Online information:

Menopause Matters is a very good independent, clinician-led website. They provide easily accessible, up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options.

Women's Health Concern provides excellent information on all aspects of women's health including the menopause

The Natural Menopause Advice Centre has some great information

NHS24 is an excellent information resource on the menopause

netdoctor.co.uk has some useful information

As always the BBC website has a wealth of fantastic information. 

 
Useful Reading

 
The New Natural Alternatives to HRT by Marilyn Glenville (Kyle Cathie Limited, 2002)

Cruising Through the Menopause - managing your menopause successfully without HRT by Maryon Stewart (Vermilion, 2000)

Menopause Naturally by Kitty Campion (Newleaf/Gill & Macmillan Ltd, 1998)

Ten Steps to a Natural Menopause by Leslie Kenton (Vermilion, 1999)

The Which? Guide to Complementary Medicine by Barbara Rowlands (Which? Books[Consumer Association], 1997)

Menopause - What you Really Need to Know by Dr Sarah Brewer (Robinson, 2003)
 
Are YOUR menopausal symptoms causing you distress?  Have your found a way to cope?  Why not share your thoughts with others?  Click here to visit our forums or why not post a quick comment below?