20 Apr Top Menopausal Symptoms
There are over 150 clinically defined symptoms signaling the end of menstruation. The following thirty-five menopause symptoms are indicators that a woman’s reproductive capacity is declining and the cessation of her menstrual period is near.
I’ve penned a hormonal guide for menopause for all my Naturopathic patients, it’s free and includes the top natural health strategies for the most common menopause symptoms, including herbal medicine and bio-identical hormones. Drop me a line if you need a copy!
Quick Review of Definitions
There is no adequate independent biological marker confirming menopause. For women with a uterus, menopause is confirmed after 12 *consecutive* months without a period. For partially hysterectomized women (ovaries intact), it is confirmed by an FSH blood draw. Women who have had a bilateral oophorectomy (full hysterectomy with both ovaries removed), enter immediate menopause often referenced as surgically-induced menopause.
Perimenopause is the transitional period leading to a woman’s final period. The strictest definition of perimenopause is irregular periods – a change from what is normal and natural for YOU.
35 Common Menopause Symptoms
- Hot flashes, night sweats and/or cold flashes, clammy feeling
- Irregular heart beat
- Irregular periods
- Lowered libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Hair loss or reduction, pubic or full body; increases in facial hair
- Difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep
- Difficulty concentration, troubling memory lapse, increased forgetfulness, poor short term memory
- Dizziness, light headedness, episodes of decreased stability
- Weight gain, muscle atrophy/loss
- Urinary incontinence
- Unexpected boats of bloating
- Allergies
- Changes in body odor
- Irregular heartbeat
- Depression
- Anxiety, feeling ill at ease
- Emotions of dread, doom, stress
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Joint pain, aching muscles and tendons
- Burning tongue or roof of mouth, change in breath odor
- Sluggish digestion, increased flatulence, nausea
- Gum problems, increased bleeding
- Itchy, Crawly Skin
- Tingling in the extremities
- Unexpected tears
- Brittle, softer nails
- Tinnitus: ringing in the ears
- Blood sugar fluctuations: increased insulin resistance
- No period: 10% of women abruptly stop their period with no signs or symptoms
If you suspect your are in menopause, it’s important to meet with a qualified health practitioner that specializes in hormone balance to assess the severity of your symptoms and risk factors for disease, including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer.
If you or someone you know suffers with perimenopause, feel free to drop me a line on the “contact us” page on this site and request an appointment. I treat patients locally at my practice in Vancouver, B.C. and worldwide via phone or Skype.
Menopause is a natural transition, but that doesn’t mean it’s comfortable. Partner with a health care practitioner that can help you find the ‘right’ approach that fits your values and lifestyle needs.
Dr Tasnim Adatya
Naturopathic Physician, Menopause Clinician, Acupuncturist, and Health Educator