Understanding the menopause - symptoms

What are the symptoms of the menopause?

Not all women experience symptoms with the onset of the menopause. If menopausal symptoms occur, they may include:

Physical symptoms

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Sleep difficulties
• Irregular periods
• Pain during intercourse
• Vaginal dryness
• Need to urinate more frequently
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Weight gain
• Bloating
• Brittle nails
• Changes in odour
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Osteoporosis
• Breast pain
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Burning tongue
• Electric shocks
• Digestive problems
• Muscle tension
• Itchy skin
• Tingling extremities

Emotional symptoms

• Loss of libido
• Increased anxiety or irritability
• Mood swings
• Memory lapses
• Depression
• Panic disorder
• Difficulty concentrating

Not everyone experiences symptoms. Women react to menopause in different ways. You may sail through without any problems or with only mild symptoms or you may have severe symptoms that affect your quality of life.
One survey of nearly 7,000 women aged 45 to 54 found that 84% had at least one common menopausal symptom, such as hot flushes or a dry vagina. But for more than 50% of the women, the symptoms weren't a problem.

Ways to relieve symptoms:

Lifestyle changes:

• Follow a healthy diet
• Get regular exercise
• Quit smoking
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Stay cool
• Run wrists under cold water
• Layer clothing
• Have a fan and a cold drink by your bed
• Use cotton bed sheets
• Chill your pillows
• Reduce or avoid caffeine and spicy foods

Prescription medicines:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Tibolone
• Clonidine
• Vaginal lubricants
• Antidepressants

Alternative therapies:

• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Relaxation techniques
• Yoga
• Pelvic floor exercises

Herbal or botanical therapies:
Herbal and botanical therapies such as soya products, black cohosh, linseed and ginseng have been used for menopause and hot flushes relief, but there is no medical evidence that they work.
Evening primrose oil is another botanical that is often used to treat hot flushes. Some women claim it helps, although there is little scientific evidence to support this. Side effects include nausea and diarrhoea. Women taking certain medications, including blood thinning drugs, should not take evening primrose oil.