How Many Menopause Symptoms?

Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman's reproductive years and occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs. The average age of menopause is 51, but it can occur as early as the 30s or 40s and as late as the 60s. Menopause is a transition that can bring about a variety of symptoms, some of which can have a significant impact on a woman's quality of life.

Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with menopause:

1. Hot flashes: Hot flashes are the most well-known symptom of menopause and are experienced by up to 80% of women. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of intense heat that spreads throughout the body, causing sweating, flushing, and an increased heart rate. These episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and can occur several times a day.
2. Night sweats: Night sweats are similar to hot flashes, but they occur at night and can interfere with sleep. Night sweats can lead to fatigue, irritability, and decreased productivity during the day.
3. Vaginal dryness: As women approach menopause, the production of estrogen decreases, which can lead to vaginal dryness. This can cause discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse, as well as a burning or itching sensation.
4. Mood changes: Many women experience mood changes during menopause, including irritability, anxiety, and depression. Hormonal changes can affect neurotransmitter levels, which can impact mood and cognitive function.
5. Sleep disturbances: Insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, is a common symptom of menopause. Hot flashes and night sweats can also interfere with sleep and lead to fatigue during the day.
6. Brain fog: Some women report feeling mentally “fuzzy” or having difficulty concentrating during menopause. This is sometimes referred to as “menopause brain.”
7. Joint and muscle pain: Joint and muscle pain can occur as a result of hormonal changes during menopause. The decrease in estrogen can cause a decrease in collagen, which can lead to osteoporosis and other age-related conditions.
8. Weight gain: Many women gain weight during menopause, particularly around the waist. This can be due to a combination of factors, including decreased metabolism and decreased physical activity.
9. Headaches: Some women experience headaches during menopause, particularly during hot flashes. Hormonal changes can also contribute to headaches.
10. Cardiovascular changes: The hormonal changes associated with menopause can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Women may experience an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as a decrease in “good” cholesterol (HDL).

It is important to note that every woman experiences menopause differently, and the severity of symptoms can vary greatly. Some women experience only a few mild symptoms, while others experience several severe symptoms. In addition, the timing and duration of symptoms can also vary. Some women experience symptoms for a few years before menopause, while others may experience symptoms for several years after menopause.

Treatment options for menopause symptoms include hormone therapy, which can provide relief for hot flashes and other symptoms by replacing the hormones the body is no longer producing. Non-hormonal treatments, such as lifestyle changes, alternative therapies, and over-the-counter medications, can also be helpful in managing symptoms.

It is important for women to discuss their symptoms and treatment options with their healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for their individual situation. 

You may have seen in the news that menopause expert Dr Naomi Potter says there are 62 symptoms of menopause, far beyond the handful of signs most people can name.  There are the obvious, well known symptoms of menopause that we have previously mentioned, such as hot flushes, poor sleep and stopping menstruation, but there are some on the list that 99% of us won't have even considered could be menopause related even if we experience them during menopause!  While the list has a purported 62 signs, some of these could be considered to be very similar to each other so don't panic if you're thinking that there are dozens of things you might experience – increased frequency of menstruation is on the list alongside decreased frequency but this could reasonably be thought of as “a change in frequency of menstruation”.

We've grouped some of these 62 symptoms into easier to handle categories, starting with skin changes (as they're high on the list).  Acne, rosacea, itchy skin, reduced collagen production (so, skin becoming less elastic), thin skin and dry skin can all occur in and around menopause.  We've thrown in hair loss and unwanted hair growth to this category too.  Ingredients like marine collagen, biotin, zinc and vitamin C in the MenoShake are all known to contribute to skin and hair health, and can help you combat the menopause symptoms that can affect your outward appearance.

Next up we have things like hot flushes – which can be thought of as a vasomotor action, where our capillaries open up to lose heat through the skin – chest tightness or pain, and palpitations.  While chest pain and palpitations can be linked to menopause they can also be the sign of a medical emergency and should not be ignored – if you're experiencing all these symptoms get to A&E or at the very least make a GP appointment to get your heart checked out.

Pain and tenderness are also symptoms that appear in menopause and in nearly every part of the body.  Oestrogen is responsible for addressing inflammation in the body, so when this hormone level drops so does our natural ability to fight pain.  Breast tenderness, foot pain, migraines, headaches, joint and muscle aches, and joint stiffness are all on the symptom list (although other conditions can have similar symptoms).  The bamboo extract in the MenoShake is included for its role in joint health and function and can help ease some of the discomfort associated with menopausal joint pain.

Emotional symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger and mood instability are all common in menopause and it's no surprise given all the physical issues we're contending with.  HRT can be massively helpful for addressing these symptoms so speak to your doctor about medical help for these symptoms, and more.

Cognitive function problems are very common, so forgetting words, a generally poor memory, or difficulty concentrating affect most women during menopause.  While HRT can help restore the hormonal balance, the MenoShake includes many ingredients that are proven to help brain function and regulate mood.  B vitamins are a major player here, as is pine bark extract for blood flow to the brain, but many of the supplements included in the shake play a role in supporting cognitive function as it is such an impactful group of symptoms.

A few of the more unusual menopause symptoms on the list are:

• New allergies
• Tinnitus
• Gum disease and other oral health problems
• Susceptibility to urinary and vaginal infections

With a list like this (and we've only touched on the complete list) it's no wonder perimenopause and menopause can be such a hard transition period for women to go through, but with the MenoShake in your menopause toolkit you'll be well armed to fight off a lot of these troublesome symptoms.  Do speak to your GP about your symptoms as they may be able to treat them or investigate further to rule out any serious health conditions.