Menopause can cause many, lesser known symptoms.
Understanding Menopause
Menopause refers to the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and is often accompanied by physical and emotional symptoms. The average age of menopause in the United States is 51, but many women begin experiencing symptoms in the years prior, known as perimenopause. Common, well-known symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, however many more symptoms can result from menopause, affecting all parts of the body.
Symptoms
Among others, hormonal changes during menopause can affect:
- Sleep. Hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep. Insomnia – difficulty falling and staying asleep – is also common, as is sleep apnea.
- Mood. Menopause can cause irritability and an increased risk of developing anxiety and depression.
- Weight. A woman’s metabolism slows during menopause, which can lead to weight gain.
- Sexual health. Vaginal dryness can cause itching, burning, and painful sex. A lower libido is also common.
- Ears. Hearing difficulties associated with menopause include ringing ears, or tinnitus. Changes in the ear can also affect balance, leading to dizziness and vertigo.
- Joints and muscles. Women may experience stiff, aching joints and muscles.
- Bladder. Menopause can cause urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
- Eyes. Reduced tear production can cause hormonal dry eye.
- Heart. Some women experience heart palpitations or a racing heart.
- Cognition. Menopause can lead to brain fog, memory lapses, and difficulty
concentrating.
Outlook
While many symptoms resolve with time, treatment is available to help manage disruptive symptoms of menopause. This can include hormone therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Your doctor can discuss the options available to provide relief.
An Expert Weighs In:
“Most people understand that menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and is associated with hot flashes, however, many women have symptoms during perimenopause that can be much more distressing. If we limit the focus of our care on hot flashes alone, we are not hearing the multitude of other symptoms that women are dealing with, not to mention the more silent effects like decline in cardiovascular and bone health. Discussion about menopause has long been taboo, however, the women who are currently going through ‘the change’ are more willing to talk about it and they expect better care than the generations before them.”
Laruen Barlew, WHNP-BC, MSCP
Owner, Lotus Center for Women
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in advertising. While attending Lee, Rachel served as editor-in-chief and creative director for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Rachel has assumed the role of managing editor, where she is responsible for the annual development and completion of seventeen publications involving health, wellness, and lifestyles articles that are published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
