Top 50 peri menopause symptoms and why you feel so crappy
Peri menopause, the transitional phase before menopause, is marked by fluctuating hormone levels, primarily estrogen and progesterone. The fluctuating hormonal changes impacts women in a variety of different ways, some may experience no symptoms, others experience a few, and then there are the unlucky ones who can tick off many of the top 50 peri menopause symptoms off this list.
Also the severity of how a woman experiences these symptoms varies, for some it can be mild and not disrupt their normal day to day lives too much, while other women are greately impacted and may need to stop work or reduce socialising with friends and families, this is when you need to seek assistance to get you feeling like yourself again. There are many options available for you.
Here’s a list of 50 possible peri menopause symptoms along with explanations of why the body experiences them:
1. Irregular Periods
Why: Hormonal fluctuations disrupt the regular menstrual cycle as ovulation becomes erratic.
2. Hot Flashes
Why: Estrogen levels drop, affecting the hypothalamus (temperature regulation center), causing sudden heat sensations.
3. Night Sweats
Why: Similar to hot flashes but occur during sleep, caused by hormonal imbalances disrupting the body's ability to regulate temperature.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Why: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly a decrease in progesterone, disrupt sleep patterns and may cause insomnia.
5. Mood Swings
Why: Changes in estrogen and progesterone impact neurotransmitters like serotonin, leading to emotional instability.
6. Depression
Why: Low estrogen levels can lower serotonin levels, increasing vulnerability to depression.
7. Anxiety
Why: Hormonal changes can stimulate the brain's anxiety centers, exacerbating feelings of stress.
8. Fatigue
Why: Hormonal fluctuations and sleep disturbances reduce energy levels, causing persistent tiredness.
9. Memory Lapses (Brain Fog)
Why: Estrogen influences brain function, and declining levels can impair memory and concentration.
10. Difficulty Concentrating
Why: Hormonal shifts affect neurotransmitters, making it harder to focus.
11. Headaches
Why: Estrogen levels that fluctuate or drop can trigger migraines or tension headaches.
12. Weight Gain
Why: Decreased estrogen levels can lead to slower metabolism and fat distribution, especially around the abdomen.
13. Bloating
Why: Hormonal changes can cause fluid retention and gastrointestinal disturbances, leading to bloating.
14. Breast Tenderness
Why: Hormonal shifts, especially fluctuating estrogen, can cause swelling and sensitivity in breast tissue.
15. Vaginal Dryness
Why: Decreased estrogen leads to reduced moisture and elasticity in the vaginal tissues.
16. Decreased Libido
Why: Lower estrogen and testosterone levels can reduce sexual desire.
17. Painful Intercourse
Why: Vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls (vaginal atrophy) make intercourse uncomfortable.
18. Urinary Incontinence
Why: Loss of estrogen weakens pelvic floor muscles, leading to bladder control issues.
19. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Why: Thinner vaginal and urinary tissues, due to lower estrogen, make the body more prone to infections.
20. Hair Thinning
Why: Declining estrogen and changes in androgen levels can cause hair thinning or loss.
21. Dry Skin
Why: Estrogen helps maintain skin moisture and elasticity; lower levels lead to drier skin.
22. Changes in Skin Texture
Why: Collagen production declines with lower estrogen levels, causing wrinkles and sagging skin.
23. Joint Pain
Why: Estrogen helps reduce inflammation; when levels decrease, joints can become stiff and achy.
24. Muscle Aches
Why: Hormonal imbalances can lead to increased inflammation and soreness in muscles.
25. Osteoporosis
Why: Estrogen supports bone density; reduced levels lead to bone loss, increasing fracture risk.
26. Heart Palpitations
Why: Fluctuating hormone levels, particularly estrogen, can influence heart rhythms.
27. Dizziness
Why: Hormonal changes can affect the brain’s balance centers, causing feelings of lightheadedness.
28. Allergies
Why: Hormonal fluctuations can trigger histamine production, exacerbating allergic reactions.
29. Changes in Body Odor
Why: Hot flashes and night sweats increase sweating, which can alter body odor.
30. Increased Facial Hair
Why: A relative increase in androgens (male hormones) due to declining estrogen can cause facial hair growth.
31. Acne
Why: Hormonal imbalances, especially with androgens, can lead to an increase in oil production, causing acne.
32. Burning Mouth Syndrome
Why: Lower estrogen levels can alter nerve sensations in the mouth, causing a burning sensation.
33. Metallic Taste in the Mouth
Why: Hormonal changes can affect taste buds, leading to unusual tastes.
34. Gum Problems
Why: Estrogen helps maintain oral tissue health; reduced levels can cause gum sensitivity and bleeding.
35. Tingling Extremities
Why: Fluctuations in estrogen can affect nerve function, leading to tingling in the hands and feet.
36. Increased Sensitivity to Cold
Why: Hormonal changes affect the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, causing sensitivity to cold.
37. Digestive Issues
Why: Hormonal shifts can slow digestion, leading to constipation, diarrhea, or other gastrointestinal issues.
38. Food Cravings
Why: Hormonal imbalances can trigger cravings, especially for sugar or carbohydrates, as the body seeks comfort foods.
39. Irregular Heartbeats
Why: Hormone fluctuations can impact the autonomic nervous system, leading to irregular heart rhythms.
40. Eye Dryness
Why: Reduced estrogen affects the production of tears, leading to dry, irritated eyes.
41. Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
Why: Hormonal changes can affect inner ear function, causing ringing or buzzing sounds.
42. Loss of Bone Density
Why: Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining bone mass; reduced levels lead to bone thinning.
43. Restless Leg Syndrome
Why: Hormonal imbalances, particularly low dopamine levels (affected by estrogen), can trigger restless legs.
44. Skin Sensitivity
Why: Reduced estrogen can thin the skin, making it more sensitive and prone to irritation.
45. Irregular Bleeding
Why: Estrogen and progesterone imbalances lead to inconsistent menstrual cycles, sometimes with heavier or lighter bleeding.
46. Loss of Bladder Control
Why: Weakened pelvic floor muscles and thinning urinary tract tissues from estrogen loss contribute to incontinence.
47. Back Pain
Why: Lower estrogen levels lead to reduced bone density and muscle strength, increasing back pain risks.
48. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Why: Hormonal fluctuations may trigger systemic inflammation, contributing to extreme tiredness.
49. Hair Loss
Why: Reduced estrogen levels and changes in androgen levels lead to thinning hair.
50. Emotional Detachment
Why: Declining estrogen levels affect brain chemistry, which can dull emotions or cause feelings of apathy.
Perimenopause is a complex time of change marked by fluctuating hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal shifts affect nearly every system in the body, leading to a wide range of symptoms. The decline in estrogen plays a central role, disrupting bodily functions related to temperature regulation, bone density, mood, and metabolism, among others. Recognising these symptoms can help women manage and seek appropriate treatments during this life stage.
Chinese medcine has spent thousands of years discussing and supporting women through this transition. If you are looking for a holistic pathway to assist you through this transition, book in a time with me now. I have spent years working with women who want to explore natural and ancient traditions to assist in their jounrey through peri menopause.
