Physical symptoms of menopause

Heart Palpitations

You may feel your heart fluttering, pounding, or beating irregularly for a few seconds or minutes. Though this is common during menopause, it can also be associated with a more serious condition that needs to be checked by your healthcare provider.

Difficulty Sleeping

Changes in hormone levels can lead to sleep disruptions, causing you to wake frequently or have unrefreshing sleep. Likewise, other menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, and stress can also play a role.

Feeling Tired or Lack of Energy

Tiredness and fatigue are common due to hormonal changes, often compounded by sleeping difficulties.

Dizziness or Feeling Faint

Low oestrogen, anxiety, blood sugar variations, and changes in your cardiovascular system or blood pressure can cause dizziness and light-headedness.

Headaches and Migraines

Mood changes and changes to your cardiovascular system during menopause can increase the incidence of headaches and migraines and make them worse in women who already suffer from these regularly.

Irregular Periods and Tender Breasts

Perimenopause often leads to irregular menstrual cycles and tender breasts.

Skin Changes

As oestrogen levels decline, you might notice your skin becoming dry and itchy, or you might experience sensations like crawling under the skin.

Hair Loss and Thinning

Hair thinning, particularly on the crown or sides, and changes in hair texture are typical during menopause.

Changes to Taste and Smell

Falling oestrogen levels can alter saliva production, affecting your sense of taste and leading to dry mouth.

Bowel Symptoms

You might experience bloating, wind, constipation, and indigestion. If you have IBS, symptoms could worsen.

Dry Eyes

Reduced oestrogen can cause your eyes to feel gritty, itchy, and uncomfortable.

Muscle and Joint Pains

Loss of oestrogen can affect your joints and connective tissues, leading to aches, pains, and stiffness.

Weight Gain

Symptoms of menopause like the overwhelming sense of tiredness can lead you to be less active, which consequently results in weight gain.

Breathing Difficulties

Some women experience shortness of breath, reduced exercise tolerance, and fatigue during menopause.