World Menopause Day: it's not just hot flushes

Yesterday, 18 October, was World Menopause Day. Led by the International Menopause Society, it's a day to shine a light on the challenges women face during this transition, and on how much better our care can be. There's also so much more to Menopause than symptoms - which deserves much attention also. We will go there too but for now, let's look at symptoms.

When most people think of menopause, they think of hot flushes. And yes, hot flushes and night sweats are real and can be exhausting. But they're only one part of a much bigger picture. Many women spend months, even years, not realising their symptoms are connected to menopause at all.

The symptoms we don't talk about

Oestrogen receptors are found throughout the whole body, in the brain, skin, bones, heart, bladder and vaginal tissue. So when hormone levels fluctuate and then fall, the effects can show up almost anywhere. Some of the less talked about signs include:

•      Sleep changes: waking at 3am, struggling to fall back asleep, or never feeling rested

•      Brain fog: losing words, forgetting why you walked into a room, finding it harder to concentrate

•      Mood changes: anxiety that seems to come from nowhere, low mood, irritability, feeling flat or tearful

•      Aches and pains: stiff or sore joints and muscles

•      Skin, hair and eyes: dryness, itching, thinning hair, dry eyes

•      Heart palpitations: a racing or fluttering heartbeat

•      Bladder and vaginal changes: urgency, more frequent UTIs, dryness, discomfort during sex

•      Changes in libido and in how you feel about your body and relationships

If you've ticked a few of these and thought, "That's me," you are far from alone.

Why it matters to connect the dots

When symptoms are seen one at a time, women can end up with a sleeping tablet for the insomnia, a referral for the joint pain, and a suggestion to "reduce stress" for the anxiety, without anyone stepping back to see the whole picture. Connecting the dots means you can get the right support, sooner.

It also brings relief. So many women tell me they thought they were "going mad" or "losing themselves". Understanding that your body is going through a significant, natural transition can soften a lot of that fear and self-criticism.

Catch up on what we've covered

Earlier volumes of Menopause Monthly go deeper into several of these symptoms:

•      Volume 1: Your Circadian Rhythm & Why Sleep Matters

•      Volume 2: The Delicacy of Our Urogenital System

•      Volume 3: Mental Health & Menopause

•      Volume 4: Relationships & Menopause

You'll find them all HERE.

This World Menopause Day

Take a few minutes to jot down what you've noticed in your body and mind over the past few months. Write it down without judgement. It will be a useful starting point if you decide to speak with your GP, and it's an act of care towards yourself.

This newsletter is general information only and isn't a substitute for personal medical advice. If you're concerned about any symptoms, please speak with your GP.