Menopause symptoms: more than hot flushes
There are dozens of recognised symptoms, and everyone’s mix is different. Here are the common ones, grouped, with what can help.
Hot flushes, night sweats and palpitations
Sudden waves of heat, often with flushing and sweating, and sometimes a racing heart. At night they can soak bedding and break sleep. HRT is the most effective treatment; CBT and some non-hormonal medicines also help.
Mood, memory and concentration
Anxiety, irritability, low mood, loss of confidence, poor concentration and forgetting words are common and very real. They often improve when the underlying hormone changes are treated. More on mood.
Sleep
Trouble falling asleep, early waking and broken nights, from night sweats, anxiety or needing the toilet. More on sleep.
Body: joints, muscles, energy, skin and hair
Aching joints and muscles, tiredness, headaches or worse migraines, changes in weight and shape, dry or itchy skin and thinning hair. Some improve with HRT; exercise, especially strength training, helps many.
Vagina and bladder
Dryness, soreness, painful sex, recurrent urine infections, needing to pass urine more often or urgently. Doctors call this genitourinary syndrome of menopause. It often gets worse over time without treatment, and responds well to vaginal oestrogen, which is very safe and can be used by most people, alongside moisturisers and lubricants.
Periods
Cycles may become irregular, heavier, lighter or closer together before they stop. Very heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or after sex, or any bleeding after menopause should be checked.
Sex and relationships
Lower sex drive is common, and can come from tiredness, mood, discomfort or hormone changes. Treating other symptoms often helps. If HRT alone hasn’t helped low desire, testosterone may be considered, following NICE guidance; we can discuss whether it is suitable for you.
Want advice that fits you? Every menopause is different.
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