Perimenopause and Menopause symptoms

These are individual, oestrogen receptors are everywhere so symptoms can be widespread and every woman is individual. Using our symptom tracker can be helpful, it will email your results to you.

These are some of the symptoms that can occur when hormones change in perimenopause and when oestrogen is low in menopause:

  • Changes to periods in perimenopause – increased or decreased in frequency, heavier or lighter. 
  • Vasomotor symptoms – hot flushes,  night sweats or chills
  • Cognitive symptoms and mood disorders:.
    • Low mood, mood swings, anxiety and worry, panic attacks, irritability, anger outbursts, loss of confidence, low self-esteem, loss of confidence and worsening of PMS and Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PMDD. 
    • Memory, attention difficulties and brain fog
  • Difficulty sleeping: affects 40-60% of women, causes include mood changes, night sweats, a need to pass urine in the night, restless legs syndrome (RLS), snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea, OSA. 
  • Fatigue, tiredness and low energy levels
  • Musculoskeletal, joint and muscle pain 
  • Headaches and worsening migraine attacks
  • Genitourinary Syndrome of the Menopause is a term used to describe the vaginal and bladder symptoms, affecting 80% of women. A low oestrogen environment causes changes in the bladder and genitals and can lead to:
    • Bladder symptoms such as urinary frequency, urge to pee, need to wake at night to pee, urine infections, urge and stress incontinence, (leaking on the way, dashing to the loo, or when you cough or sneeze), urine infections and pelvic organ prolapse. 
    • The gential area can become dry, itchy, sore, irritated, prickly or burning, there may be shrinkage of the labia, clitoris and vagina which can affect sexual pleasure. Tissues can thin and bleed on contact and the vagina, which is usually acidic and healthy with lactobacillus, becomes less so. There can be a wetness or a dryness.
  • Loss of libido or high libido
  • Oestrogen receptors are all over the body so symptoms can be widespread and include dry itchy skin, dry ears, dry eyes, thinning, dry hair, brittle nails, unwanted hair growth, rosacea, acne, tinnitus, palpitations, dizziness or feeling faint, tender breasts, changes in oral health, weight gain, digestive issues and increasing allergies.

If you are experiencing these symptoms please make an appointment with us at Rowena Health, or with your GP, so we can support you. We would be delighted to meet you.

Dr Carys Sonnenberg Rowena Health

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