Hot Flashes, Brain Fog & Beyond: Recognising Menopause Symptoms
As we know, the menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, when menstrual cycles end and the body undergoes significant hormonal changes. While it’s a universal experience, we all go through it differently, and the symptoms can sometimes be hard to pinpoint — I thought I could help clear up the grey areas.
What you may be experiencing:
1. Irregular Periods
One of the first signs of menopause is changes in your menstrual cycle. Periods may become lighter, heavier, or more erratic in terms of frequency. This can happen YEARS before the menopause is anywhere near.
2. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Suddenly feeling like you’re in a sauna? That’s a hot flash, and it can leave you feeling like you need to carry a personal fan 24/7. Hot flashes are a hallmark symptom of menopause.
Then, imagine hot flashes, but at night. Your body can be finding it difficult to regulate its temperature. Hello, damp pyjamas and disrupted sleep!
3. Sleep Problems
Hormonal changes can affect your sleep patterns. Women going through menopause often struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep — this can also be accompanied by with night sweats or having to go to the loo multiple times. I know I can relate.
4. Mood Changes
One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re crying over a dog food commercial. You can feel uncharacteristically anxious and overwhelmed, and quite frankly just washed-out and tired. Many women start losing that tranquil, level headed approach, and begin feeling more irritable, anxious, or depressed during this time. Hormonal fluctuations can impact your mood, and these emotional shifts are no joke — affecting relationships and daily functioning (if you’re a bloke reading this, I hope it encourages you to be somewhat remorseful).
5. Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort
Ah the never-ending story of having to take care of your under-carriage. This can make intimacy very uncomfortable, coupled with the fatigue and feeling washed-out, makes for what seems like another up-hill struggle to keep everyone happy. As oestrogen levels decrease, vaginal dryness can occur, leading to discomfort during sex, itching, or irritation. This is a common symptom but is often underreported due to embarrassment — us women really do get the short end of the stick.
6. Decreased Libido
A reduced interest in sex is another common symptom, often linked to hormonal changes, vaginal dryness, or emotional well-being. Its the last thing we need right now.
7. Memory and Concentration Issues
What did I come up stairs for? Where did I put my keys… again? Found them 2 hours later in the freezer? HUH!@$%?
Many of us struggle with “brain fog” during menopause, which includes forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or trouble finding the right words. We just look crazy at the end of the day.
8. Physical Changes
Physical changes such as weight gain (especially around the abdomen), thinning hair, or dry skin are common. Your metabolism can start to slow down, and the hormone imbalances mess with your insulin sensitivity, making it easier to gain weight. These changes, while often subtle at first, can become more noticeable over time and only contribute to the lack of self-esteem we’re already struggling with at this point.
Seeking help
If these symptoms are interfering with your daily life or causing distress — which they probably are let’s be honest — it’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider. They can help confirm whether your symptoms are related to menopause or another condition through certain tests, and suggest treatment options to help manage them, whether through lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, or other interventions.
Remember, menopause is a unique experience for every woman. While some breeze through it with little disruption (I haven’t met many), others may face significant challenges. This is about arming yourself with knowledge. Knowledge will give you the power to understand these changes and give you the tools to adapt effectively!
