Menopause Symptoms
Many find the menopause a time of liberation, free from their menstrual period.
Decreasing levels of Oestrogen (the hormone that’s responsible for the growth of the sexual organs) causes menopausal symptoms. Some women also suffer psychologically from realising they are ageing and their reproductive life is over.
As the menopause begins, many women have lighter of heavier menstrual flow, during what is known as the peri-menopausal stage.
A common symptom are hot flushes or night sweats, waves of heat flowing through the body.
Common menopause symptoms:
- Irregular menstruation
- Changes in sexual desire
- Tiredness
- Hot flushes (flashes, night sweats)
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Psychological changes
- Nervousness
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Itching, Prickly skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Uncomfortable Intercourse
- Joint or muscle pain
- Insomnia
If you would like to talk to someone who understands your symptoms just post a reply on this page or use our ask a question page. For a more personal consultation you can email us contact @ menopause.org.uk
Sally said:
December 15, 2010 @ 1:21 am
For anyone experiencing menopause symptoms there’s a soy based drug trial which may hold the secret to treating debilitating menopause symptoms such as hot flushes.
What’s interesting is that many woman consume soy products in the hope of overcoming these symptoms, but in actual fact only 20% of the Australian population have the enzyme necessary to properly absorb the benefits of soy.
In comparison, about 80% of Asian populations have the enzyme, which accounts for the lower rates of menopause symptoms in Asian populations.
This means that in most cases of Australian women, drinking or eating soy products may not actually be providing the promised health benefits.
The drug basically extracts the positive benefits of soy and bypasses the lack of the necessary enzyme in most Australian women to take affect in relieving menopause symptoms.
It is currently being trialled in leading hospitals throughout NSW, SA, and VIC so for more info go to menopauseclinicaltrial.blogspot.com or call 1800 236 350.
lisa said:
February 9, 2011 @ 4:11 pm
im 56 yrs old and i have been going thry menopause for many yrs, I went off my HRT beacause i was having surgery, and now suffering with hot and COLD flashes, are cold flashes norma?
dave martin said:
March 20, 2011 @ 12:46 pm
My partner has been going through the menopause for about 18 months now ! she seem to be going off her head for the last few months having a go at me all the time . We have always had a very loving relationship for 26 years, its like she is a different woman! i try to be has loving and sportive as i can, but she just wants to argue most of the time.Please help me cope with it ! i don’t know what else i can do
katrina said:
May 12, 2011 @ 11:41 am
hi im 47 years of age ive missed two months period my husband has had the snip for 10-13 years i have a lot of symoms for menopause could i be going thru my menopause or am i to young
anja said:
June 1, 2011 @ 8:50 am
Hi…Iam 48 and think its the time of change..have had hot nights 4 a year now..but did’nt realize it was part of that.. since I felt ok and still had my period..only the 3 last times..have the period had less flow and now one’s 15days late..did get it..but little bleeding and 2 weeks now.is that ok? and I have lower back pain..I did get that when i had my period..I love sport and stay activ..Can I do something to ease the back…ps not painkillers..tx
lynn said:
July 27, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
hot flushes headaches ,hot all the time even if its cold have not had a period for over two months before that it was about five moths i think it could be menopause i am 50
Kaz said:
August 21, 2011 @ 4:14 pm
Hi. I’m 43 and think I’m going through the perimenopausal (?) stage. My mum went through the menopause at 45/46 so I reckon my day’s are numbered! I’ve woken up the last few nights absolutely sweating and had to open all the windows in the bedroom and put a fan on. I’ve never had breast tenderness or stomach pain before but have been experiencing this the past few months. I’m still getting periods. My blood pressure is also through the roof even though I’m already on medication for it! Does anyone else thing I’m going through the menopause and what advice can you give me? I am NOT going to go on HRT if I am so any alternatives gratefully received.
Sam said:
August 31, 2011 @ 11:41 am
Hi, im 40 and think im starting with e pre menopause but not sure my mom had me late in lfe and was not very good at explaining thing to me, she also died when i was young and my dad brought me up so weomens thing as heput never came up. i havent had a period for 4 months and then yesterday i started to bleed very heavily and have stomach cramps, ive not been sleeping either can anyone help please.
Naomi said:
October 7, 2011 @ 6:58 am
I am 54. I know I am menopausal because my periods only come occasionally and in between my periods I experience terrible hot flushes etc. I have gone as long as 8 months with no period and then got one. When I do get a period, I get terrible cystitis for about 10 days beforehand. This time, it’s only been 3 months between periods but I am having terrible period pains and lower back pain. The pain is really bad almost like I had when I was a teenager and is making me feel quite ill. Has anyone else experienced increased pain as they get older?
Sharon said:
October 11, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
I am 51, still have my period, although it is changing. It is much shorter than years ago, but sometimes quite heavy. I do have occasional hot flashes. My main complaint is lower back pain. I’ve had an xray and it shows negative for arthritis. Can someone out there inform me about this issue, or let me know if they experienced this same problem. Also, are there any supplements that you would suggest?
Thank you
angela said:
October 28, 2011 @ 5:58 pm
hi i am 40 and last months period was very light since then been gettin stomach and backache cant sleep very tired just dont seem myself feel flat i am now 2 weeks late and no period but the pains are there quite bad at times no bleeding though am i going through the menopause pregnancy test negative
denise taylor said:
October 30, 2011 @ 3:02 pm
hi my name is d Denise i am 49 years old i didnt have much of a period 2 months ago but i have very heavy periods for the last 2 weeks is it my menopause and what can i do please could you e-mail me and let me know thanks
ANGIE ADAMS said:
November 11, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
51 periods have alwys been pretty regular cycle of every 27 days or so
a few months back this suddenly went to 56 days, since then I seem to have a ‘reverse’ cycle I seem to have a period that lasts around 21 -23 days but is very light and not at all painful (unusual for me) nothing at all for about 5-9 days then off we go on the long period again, this whilst not practical was managable as I felt OK. Now about 4 days ago we seem to have the priod from hell, I’m so heavy having to use tampons and pads as leaking through in about 45 minutes, stomach cramps that reduce you to tears, sleep is almost impossible thinking about putting a campbed in the bathroom! A bit hot and sweaty but either weepy and emotional one minute or some temeper crazed hag the next. Even I don’t like me…………….guess from other comments what ever happens is normal but at least it helps to read other similar comments and know you’re not suffering any odd.
lynn bray said:
January 18, 2012 @ 12:29 pm
hi im 54 yrs old and havent had a period for 14 months until 2 days ago.its not like a usual period as its lose a small amount of blood then stops then a couple of hours later a bit more this has been happening for last 2 days,anyone else have this please,
Jules said:
February 19, 2012 @ 7:00 pm
I just want to add my symptoms to the mix. Acute paranoia, to the point of thinking friends are ganging up on me and my partner is in on it. I’m bordering on psychotic, it is that ‘real’ to me. It takes all my rational thought to cling onto my sanity when I feel like this. It is only recently I have read that these symptoms can be part of the menopause. It is really hard to deal with at times and has affected my mood and my quality of life. I dread work when I feel like this. I am posting this because I believe it is a really common but not much talked about part of the menopause. We tend to concentrate on the physical symptoms.
shirl said:
April 9, 2012 @ 12:25 pm
im glad someone else mentioned about paranoia mine is off the scale, and i thought it was only me , also very emotional, crying for no reason very out of character for me. i had my last period in july 2011 and then last week bang they are back but much worse than i have ever had them,