COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PERIMENOPAUSE

As I have mentioned in previous posts about menopause and perimenopause, there are many symptoms that we can experience during this phase in our lives.  We will get differing levels and differing combinations, because we are all unique individuals.  However, do you know how many symptoms there are, and what symptoms you have or have had?
 
Prior to the pandemic I was privileged to be involved in talking to women about perimenopause/menopause on menopausal “retreat” days.  This was a fantastic opportunity of bringing like-minded women together to discuss all things hormonal to empower them to embrace this unsettling time in their lives, and help them realise they are not alone. 
 
Perimenopause can feel like life is a rollercoaster.  You may find that simple tasks and the multi-tasking you used to do is impossible.  You may feel isolated, experiencing physical symptoms you have never felt before, and finding that your way of thinking is changing too.  You may feel that you don’t know who “you” are any more.  You may alter the way you react to other family members and friends, or feel they are reacting differently to you.  This may also correspond at a time of additional stress such as bereavement, children leaving home, change of career, different caring responsibilities.
 
The purpose of this blog and the next blogs in this series of perimenopausal blogs is to explain, help you understand what is going on in your body and mind, and how you can look for help.  Being a nurse I understand a lot of the science and biology behind perimenopause, but as a woman of “a certain age” I am travelling this journey with you and have certainly struggled at times.  In a future blog I will give you a warts and all personal account of my time. This is not to get sympathy, but to show you that you are not alone.
 
When I started my research for the menopause retreat teaching sessions, the one startling fact was the number of symptoms of perimenopause.  How many do you think there are?
 
There are actually around 34 symptoms of perimenopause!  Some are well-known, others will surprise you but, when you look back, you probably have experienced them, just thinking it is a bit weird. Last year I went to see a film with friends that are around the same age, and this film was all about a group of perimenopausal friends, carrying out the wishes of another friend who had died.  There was an absolutely classic line where one of the characters shouts “there are 30 symptoms of menopause and I’ve got 38!”  We all howled with laughter at this, because we could all relate in our own way.
 
So getting symptoms is a normal part of entering into this phase in our reproductive cycle.  But what are these symptoms?  Now, I’m not usually a big fan of listing a shed-load of symptoms, but on this occasion I am going to list them, so you can tick off the ones that you have had or are experiencing now.  Are you ready?!

• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Vaginal dryness
• Panic attacks
• Osteoporosis
• Night sweats
• Sleep disorders
• Muscle tension
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Hair loss
• Digestive problems
• Irritability
• Headaches
• Allergies
• Brittle nails
• Electric shocks
• Gum problems
• Hot flashes
• Tingling extremities
• Panic attacks
• Mood swings
• Itchy skin
• Joint pain
• Irregular periods
• Burning tongue
• Brain fog
• Urinary urgency and incontinence
• Reduced libido
• Poor concentration
• General increased sweating

 
 Which of these are you experiencing? Are there any that you have that you did not realise was a symptom of perimenopause?  One of the ones I found was the electric shocks.  I blamed a new pair of trainers for causing static shocks every time a closed my car door, opened the tumble dryer door, or even kissed my husband!  Turns out I was just having extra electricity running through my body!  Shocking huh?!
 
I will be looking at some of the more common symptoms in my next few blogs and explaining why those symptoms are occurring. 
 
I hope you are finding these blogs interesting and informative.  Feel free to check out my facebook page at www.facebook.com/sarahhillreflexology.

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