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The 10 Most Common Symptoms During Menopause (& how to improve them)

Menopause is the time in our lives when our periods stop completely.

Medically,  is defined by not having had a period for a whole year, whilst the ‘run up’ is called the Peri Menopause. Typically, when we talk about Menopause we tend to blur these 2 distinct categories and are simply talking about this whole episode. For lots of us, symptoms can become less problematic as we go into the actual period free era. Whilst there are some symptoms that are common, there are also individual variations and perceptions of symptoms- these can make us feel a little more stressed – but don’t doubt – what you feel is what you feel and it’s important to acknowledge it so that you can then make efforts to reduce any negative impact. We are all different and that is OK!

You will notice a good bit of repetition throughout this article. I know you want a quick fix but try to look at your lifestyle issues – they are free, and they will impact your overall health in a way and we all have improvements that we can make even if they are small.

In no particular order..

1) Vaginal dryness

One of the most unsexy terms ever. Vaginal dryness is a thing. Vaginal dryness is bad news for your sex life, can just feel generally uncomfortable and can make any kind of investigation like smear tests simply unbearable. Of course, there are always options. With vaginal dryness you can opt simply for lubrication as you go. The one that to mind is KY Jelly – it’s a water-based lubrication. Or you can opt for an ’as needed’ oil-based lube – a bit more messy.

For those low- oestrogen -related -dryness issues, then you will from using oestrogen cream.

2) Hot flashes

Hot flashes – another typical symptom of menopausal hormone fluctuations. Suddenly out of nowhere and for no apparent reason feeling ridiculously hot, visibly flushed and perhaps even sweaty. It’s embarrassing – not only do you feel uncomfortable, but everyone knows it!!!!

Avoid wearing man-made fibres, try to layer your clothing so you can adjust according to your body heat. Get one of those portable fans – the battery-operated ones are bloody brilliant, but the old school paper fan is better than nothing. Spicy foods and alcohol will not be your friends and lastly (I know you don’t want to hear it) but if you are carrying a bit of excess weight it would help to try & shift it.

3) Brain fog

So yesterday, I put my phone in the kitchen cupboard….thankfully I have ‘find my’ installed on all my devices otherwise I may have lost hours of my life for it – I literally had zero memory of doing it at all!!

Brain fog, of course affects everyone at different points in their life; -it’s a very non- specific term. However – Menopause related brain fog is more consistent and that’s where it goes beyond funny. Whether you’re forgetting what you went upstairs for or finding that your performance at work is suffering, it can really make you feel like you’re losing your grip.

On the body front -try to keep hydrated, reduce alcohol, get as active as you can and try to manage your sleep. If it floats your boat – meditation and mindfulness can be life changing for some.

On a practical level – use the tools around you – use your calendar (electronic or otherwise) to help your organisation, write lists, check stuff off, set alarms on your phone (I have only just discovered you can set a title for your alarm. Before now, sometimes the alarm would go and I would have no idea what it was for