4 Not-so-common Menopause Symptoms

Although hot flashes and night sweats get most of the attention, some women may experience symptoms that don’t fit the norm. Many menopause symptoms fall into two camps: hot and dry. Hot symptoms can include hot flashes and night sweats, while dry symptoms can include vaginal dryness and general dryness of the skin.

Sometimes, changing what you eat can help relieve menopause symptoms. Limiting the amount of caffeine you consume daily and cutting back on spicy foods can make your hot flashes less severe. You can also eat more foods that contain phytoestrogens (nutrients that have estrogen-like properties in the human body). However, four lesser-known symptoms are still common.

Menopause Symptoms

• Cold chills: The same part of the brain controls both temperature sensations – hot and cold. Some women may have a hot flash followed by chills, or their body temperature may drop without any initial hot flash. These sensations are referred to as “temperature dysregulation” and the same therapies may help both extremes.
• Thinning hair: Hair thinning is influenced by androgens, which are considered male hormones, such as testosterone. However, hair thinning is more pronounced during midlife. Topical treatments such as minoxidil can help restart the growth process, but they may take several months to produce noticeable results. Some oral medications can also help, but may cause unwanted hair in other parts of the body.
• Loss of fullness in breasts: Your bra size will likely change during menopause. Hormones affect our breast size and fullness throughout life, whether that’s increasing during breastfeeding or decreasing during and after menopause. Since breast tissue is replaced by fatty tissue as we age, your breast shape may morph over time.
• Digestive issues and bloating: Dr. Sarah Horvath, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Penn State Health Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hershey, says estrogen also plays a part in regulating digestion. As estrogen production slows, it can lead to bloating and slower digestion. Focusing on a high-fiber diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help regulate digestion.

Other symptoms attributed to menopause may be signs of aging rather than hormonal changes. Some women report ringing in their ears, itchy ears, a burning sensation on their tongue, a metallic taste or tingling in their toes or fingers. While these symptoms may coincide with menopause, she would investigate other possible causes.

How long does menopause last?

You can have symptoms of menopause for up to 10 years before it officially occurs. The average length of menopause symptoms is about seven years. Most women say their symptoms ease up or disappear completely once they reach post-menopause.

Menopause is a point in time, so you don’t stay in menopause. You reach it when you haven’t gotten a menstrual period for one year. Immediately after you reach menopause, you move into post-menopause. This stage lasts for the rest of your life.