MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS AND MY STORY
My own experience of the menopause and it’s a long list of symptoms is not a happy one. I’m currently on a cycle of experiencing a wet, cold British spring where I feel cold one minute and 100 degrees the next. Yes, it’s those damn hot flushes, or also called hot flashes. And the migraines that last days, what a joy those are. I’ve suffered from migraines for over 25 years but now they are a constant drain on me and my everyday life. These are just two of the symptoms I suffer with and unfortunately, I’m not alone in struggling with the consequences of menopause.
With 90% of women experiencing symptoms of the menopause. 85% of women having menopause symptoms interfere with their lives. And 47% of women have taken time off work due to menopause symptoms. To me, those numbers are staggering and quite often it’s something we will do in silence, as only 38% will ask their doctor for help.
I’ve mentioned a couple of symptoms I suffer with and there is a long list of menopause symptoms.
Therefore for this article, I’ve broken them down into groups. I’m not saying this is an absolute complete list but it’s a start in helping you identify if you are perimenopause or menopause.
In future articles, I will be going over in more detail each of the symptom groups.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Are you ready it’s a long, long list…
Brain and cognitive function:-
Difficulty concentrating. Confusion. Difficulty finding words, memory lapse during recall. Dizzy spells. Headaches/Migraines
Sensitivity
Asthma. Allergies. Digestive problems. Bloating
Weight Change
Slower metabolism. Weight gain
Mood
Mood swings. Anxiety. Irritability. Depression. Panic disorder. Loss of confidence. Anger
Nervous Function
Tingling extremities (hands or feet). Heightened nerve sensations (electric shocks), more common before hot flash
Temperature
Night sweats. Chills. Hot flashes/flushes. Excessive sweating. Body odour
Sleep
Sleep disruption. Fatigue. Anxiety leading to sleeplessness
Appearance
Thinning hair and hair loss. Dry eyes, hair and skin. Increased hair growth. Brittle nails. Itchy skin. Accelerated ageing (associated with fatigue)
Mouth Health
Gum problems. Reduced saliva level. Metallic taste. Hot sensations
Gynaecological Health
Stress incontinence. UTI’s. Lower libido
General Health
Muscle tension. Osteoporosis. Irregular heartbeat/palpitations. Decreased bone density. Joint pain.
Symptoms, perimenopause and me…
I said it was a long list! Please don’t read this and panic. Not everyone will get all these symptoms. I know when I first looked at a list of symptoms I thought “Crikey, am I destined to be a wizened old lady (at 46, post hysterectomy) who is emotional, prone to outbursts, has no hair except where I don’t want it and occasionally can’t make it to the toilet!”
I thought “Great…what a lot to look forward to!’ And then it hit me, a few of those symptoms I’d already experienced and hadn’t at the time had any clue they could be associated with perimenopause.
You see, there was a period in my late 30s and early 40s when it was so hard. I mean everyday life was just hard. At the time I thought I was losing my mind and quite literally losing what made me, me. I could see myself disappearing in a cloud, no it felt like a bag being pulled over me and I couldn’t escape. A lot of the time I quite literally didn’t want to be here. Some days I woke up disappointed that I was still here and had another day ahead of me.
Writing this I’m not really sure how I got here, I can only think through the support of Andy, family, friends, and of course Nog, Pepper and co. And I guess a little bit of damn stubborn determination that I could get back to me at some point in the future. I hung on and now I’m not completely right, there are some tough days but I know I’m heading in the right direction.
Currently, I’m not taking any HRT, I have my reasons which include some medical ones. I’m not saying I won’t try it but for now, I’m not. What I do know is that I wish I’d had more information earlier. I feel I could have got help sooner if I’d understood what was happening as part of the peri-menopause. I never had a list of symptoms. I didn’t have any information at all and no one talked about it.
Having fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue muddied the water for me. After the training I’ve now completed, I know I shouldn’t have just dismissed it as one illness. Instead, I should have got more information on perimenopause and its associated symptoms. If I’d just seen a list of those symptoms and talked them through with someone, maybe things could have been different for me.
By reading about my story, I want you to see my drive to be a Coach for women, specialising in perimenopause and menopause. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.
Next steps for you
I want to work with you to find answers and empower you to be able to ask the right questions and make sure you get the help you deserve, where needed from a medical professional. So when you are ready or want to give me a shout please contact me or check out my coaching programmes.
Jo xx
