Blog / 15 Surprising Menopause Symptoms and How to Manage Them

15 Surprising Menopause Symptoms and How to Manage Them

Reviewed by Traci Eliszewski, NP of Forum Health Madison

At-A-Glance

Dental issues, tinnitus, and heart palpitations are just some of the lesser-known symptoms of menopause you may go through.
Understand how to treat each symptom holistically so you can approach menopause through a mind-body-emotional level to feel your best and age gracefully.
Learn the benefits of holistic management for menopause symptoms

Understanding Menopause and Its Surprising Symptoms

Do you wake up in the middle of the night sweating? Do you have mood swings or experience sleep issues? Or, are things getting a bit dryer in the bedroom (aka less natural lubrication)? These are all common menopause symptoms that every woman at some point in her life will experience (typically from ages 45-55). Menopause describes a milestone in life every woman goes through where they’ve gone past perimenopause and have experienced 12 months without a menstrual cycle, meaning they can no longer become pregnant and have children. This dramatic drop in estrogen levels is what causes the uncomfortable symptoms to arise.

Aside from the well-known symptoms such as hot flashes, there are also lesser-known symptoms caused by the drop in estrogen not many people are aware of. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with these symptoms should they occur, so you can rule other health conditions out. By understanding these lesser-known symptoms, you can more easily identify what’s going on in your body and prepare for ways to find relief. While it’s always important to see your primary care doctor, it’s also important to note that many of these symptoms can be easily alleviated through holistic and integrative approaches that have minimal or no side-effects.

Exploring 15 Surprising Menopause Symptoms

Here, we dive into the 15 most surprising symptoms of low estrogen after (and during) menopause, as well as natural ways to find relief.

Cognitive Changes

One of the early symptoms of menopause is a disruption in cognitive health.”. Some of the most common symptoms of this include deficits in attention, processing speed, and memory, which could show up as a lack of focus, brain fog, slow thinking, and forgetfulness.

Before thinking you may have a very early onset of cognitive disease, it may just be a sign that your hormones are changing.

Natural Ways to Improve Cognitive Health

Get plenty of sleep at night (7-8 hours is recommended), take supplements or eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have an essential impact on cognitive performance at every stage of life. Vitamin D is also a great supplement (or you can eat a diet rich in Vitamin D or get plenty of exposed sunlight daily). This Vitamin is an important calcium-regulating hormone that positively affects the brain. Evidence suggests that Vitamin D may play a role in maintaining cognitive function while preventing age-related cognitive decline.

Lastly, incorporating stress-reducing mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, breathing practices, daily walks, or seeing a therapist are ways to keep your brain sharp. Beginning to challenge your brain, such as taking up learning a new language, completing a puzzle, or doing something new and challenging are also great ways to keep your mind sharp.

Dental Problems

Believe it or not, dental issues and menopause are linked: an astounding 84% of women over age 50 who experience oral health symptoms have no idea it has anything to do with menopause. Oral health issues manifest due to the extreme fluctuations in hormones, which can create less saliva and more plaque on the teeth, leading to gum issues and even tooth loss. In a Delta Dental report, 70% of women over the age of 50 identified at least one of the following symptoms: dry mouth, receding gums, tooth sensitivity (including pain and tooth decay), reduced saliva production, bleeding gums, burning tongue or altered gums.

Naturopathic Solutions for Great Teeth and Gums

If you’re experiencing unexpected gum issues, there are plenty of holistic solutions:

Each a mineral-rich, balanced diet: Ditch processed and fast foods and focus on eating whole, local, and organic food (when possible) that is rich in calcium, Vitamin D and K and promote bone health. Some food examples include: leafy greens, nuts, seeds, dairy, and animal products. Limit sugary and caffeinated drinks, and consider using monk fruit sweetener, coconut sugar, or stevia as natural alternatives to traditional sweeteners. These options provide a healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth without harmful effects on gut bacteria.
Oil pulling: This ancient Ayurvedic practice involves swishing coconut or sesame oil in the mouth for 15-20 minutes in the morning to help remove bacteria in the mouth. Tongue scraping is another practice from this modality that involves scraping the tongue with a copper or steel tongue scraper that removes harmful bacteria that’s built up in the mouth overnight.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day (especially if you’re experiencing dry mouth), to help cleanse harmful bacteria first thing in the morning. Consider swapping your morning coffee for green tea, as tea is far less acidic than coffee and contains helpful polyphenols that can fight plaque-causing bacteria while also reducing inflammation in the gums.

Dry Eyes and Vision Changes

Menopause and postmenopausal symptoms could include experiencing dry eyes and vision changes that come from fluctuating hormonal changes. Eye symptoms could include: dry eyes, cataracts, glaucoma, and itchy eyes. This could greatly impact the quality of life when it comes to driving, working at a computer, or reading a book.

Alternative remedies for vision issues

Try using artificial tears periodically through the day for dry eye relief
Use warm compresses (such as a warm washcloth or eye mask), which helps get the glands flowing
Use a humidifier in your home to promote moisture
Take regular breaks from the screens: people don’t blink as much when they’re staring at their computer, a TV, or their phone, so be sure to take regular breaks to relax the eyes
Stay hydrated: drinking plenty of water may help your tear ducts pump out more fluid
Exercise your eyes: practicing “eye yoga” or researching basic eye exercises can have a profound effect on vision health

Exploring herbs such as eyebright and Ginkgo Berry may help, but it’s important to check with your doctor for any contraindications. (Harvard)

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Perimenopausal women all the way to postmenopausal women may experience shifts in their hearing as a result of menopause. A certain study found that women with lowered estrogen levels were more likely to have hearing loss, and many experience tinnitus, due the fluctuation of hormones. Tinnitus is another common condition during this time, and refers to perceived ringing in the ears that happen sporadically. Although this may seem alarming, just know that it’s a side effect of going through menopause, and the issue can be adjusted.

Functional Medicine Tips on Tinnitus

Although there is no single cure, there are ways to decrease episodes of tinnitus:

Reduce caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol as they can be triggers to stimulate blood flow and nerve activity
Limit sodium: consuming too much salt can contribute to fluid retention, possibly worsening tinnitus symptoms
Stay hydrated: drinking plenty of water may improve blood flow, reducing the perception of tinnitus
Keep a healthy lifestyle: stress-reduction practices, exercise and getting enough sleep are important, which can make tinnitus less noticeable
Consider tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT): this treatment involves using specialized sound devices to make the brain become accustomed to tinnitus, making it less bothersome

Heart Palpitations

Feeling your heart race or getting heart palpitations is a common experience for many menopausal women. Your chances for cardiovascular health issues can increase during this time, especially those who experience early menopause: women whose last period stopped before age 45 are at a higher risk for cardiovascular concern. Those who experience menopause before age 40 are at an even higher risk.

Integrative Approaches For Heart Health

Luckily, there are many solutions to boost heart health. Chronic stress is a huge factor in creating cardiovascular decline, so the no. 1 priority should be reducing stress. This can be done by making small changes in your life to feel less stressed and relaxed everyday, beginning a yoga, tai chi, breathing, or meditation practice, or seeking therapeutic support. Maintain a healthy weight and eat whole, local foods while limited processed and sugary items. The following supplements may aid in heart health, but it’s important to discuss with your doctor any drug interactions or contraindications for your personal health:

Hawthorn berry
Fish oil
Garlic
Coenzyme Q10

Increased Body Odor

Hormonal shifts, increased sweating that creates bacteria, and changes in metabolism can all result from menopause, which can create a stronger body odor. Although this may feel embarrassing or frustrating, there are simple ways to manage body odor.

Natural Solutions For Body Odor

Natural deodorants help to curb a foul odor while steering clear of causing more health issues, such using deodorants with aluminum. Look for ones that contain mineral salts, baking soda, essential oils like tea tree, lavender or lemongrass, and coconut oil – many of which contain antimicrobial properties and help neutralize odor. Limit strong-smelling foods, such as garlic, onions, curries, and strong cheeses. Instead, incorporate more water, fruits and vegetables to help keep the body amply hydrated and to avoid increased odor. Managing stress and wearing breathable, natural fabrics will greatly help with odor concerns as well.

Itchy Skin and Rashes

In a survey of 87 women attending a menopause clinic, more than 64% reported skin issues. Decreased estrogen, collagen production, and changes in the skin barrier can cause skin dryness, wrinkles and fine lines as well as sensitivity and loss of skin volume can result.

Holistic Care: Natural Remedies For Skin Health

As always, consult with your doctor before beginning any herbal regimen. These herbs help improve skin elasticity and boost women’s health during menopause.

Evening primrose oil (for skin)
Borage seed oil (for skin)
Red clover (for hormonal balancing)
Shatavari (for hormonal balancing)

Be picky about what you put on your skin: unrefined, cold-pressed options are best, as they are the most pure. Jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, and marula oil can help replenish moisture on the skin’s surface. Hyaluronic acid serums attract and retain moisture while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and aloe vera gel and manuka honey help alleviate irritated skin. Avoid harsh soaps and “over scrubbing” your face: use gentle moisturizers that are appropriate for sensitive skin.

Loss of Hair and Thinning Hair

It’s common to notice less hair volume as you age, especially in the scalp region. Hair thinning and even losing hair is common as everyone gets older, specifically for menopausal women. Changes in scalp circulation and hormonal changes contribute to this.

Naturopathic Treatments For Hair

Although it may seem customary for men to lose their hair, it can become a more sensitive issue for women. While there’s no cure, there are plenty of naturopathic remedies that may help:

Rosemary essential oil helps with hair growth (be sure to dilute any essential oil by mixing a few drops with a carrier oil and massage into the scalp).
Cedarwood oil and lavender essential oil can soothe the scalp and promote hair growth
Include more proteins in your diet to stimulate protein in the scalp, including getting plenty of iron.
Consuming biotin that can be found in eggs, avocados, and nuts is an essential B-vitamin that is important for hair health.
Incorporate regular scalp massages (you can do this while rubbing oil into the scalp) to stimulate circulation and hydrate the hair follicles.
Work on stress management: hair loss can also come from high stress. Practice breathing exercises, daily walks, or other ways to de-stress and find peace and relaxation daily.
Incorporate scalp cleansers: a buildup of dead skin cells can accumulate and clog hair follicles – use a gentle scalp scrub at least once a week to remove buildup

Muscle and Joint Pain

About 50% of menopausal women experience joint pain or arthritis during menopause. A decrease in estrogen is the main culprit, as estrogen helps protect joints and reduce inflammation. The risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis also increases during this time, leaving many menopausal women feeling pain and discomfort.

Functional Remedies For Muscle and Joint Pain

Muscle and joint pain can significantly impact your daily life. Luckily, there are ways to reduce pain by various exercises and lifestyle shifts:

Incorporating low-impact exercises, such as swimming, water aerobics, walking, cycling and yoga can improve strength in your body while being gentle on joints.
Strength training: building muscular strength around the joints is imperative to aging individuals. Having more strength around muscles and joints will provide better support for your body, reduce stress on joints and may lessen pain over time. Start with light weights and gradually increase over time.
Make sure to stretch: be sure to stretch after exercise and incorporate yoga to keep improving joint mobility and muscle suppleness.
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet: avoid processed, fried, and spicy foods and choose lean, whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, and proteins. Fatty fish and healthy oils will specifically help with joint suppleness (such as olive oil and nuts). Reduce coffee, processed sugar, and refined carbohydrates to decrease the inflammatory load on your body. Stay hydrated to lubricate your joints.
Try natural supplements such as: fish oil, curcumin, Glucosamine, and Boswellia for their anti-inflammatory effects while promoting lubrication around the joints. Seek advice first from a healthcare professional.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a very common issue for women going through menopause. This happens when estrogen levels drop, creating a thinning and weakening of bladder muscles. Stress incontinence is the most common, where a cough, sneeze, or jumping up and down can cause an unexpected leak, although other types of incontinence, such as overactive bladder, can also happen. Although this is a difficult thing to experience for many women, there are luckily many solutions.

Holistic Solutions For Urinary Incontinence

Bladder training: this technique involves training your bladder to leak less by holding your urine for longer intervals. With bladder training, you’ll schedule trips to the bathroom and gradually expand the time in between bathroom trips.
Pelvic floor exercises: doing kegels and other pelvic floor exercises will help strengthen the pelvic floor and the entirety of the bladder musculature – be sure to do these exercises daily.
Manage fluid intake by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and stopping liquid intake an hour or two before bed. This also helps avoid constipation, which will make urinary incontinence worse.
Limit bladder irritants, such as alcohol, coffee, and carbonated beverages, which will irritate the bladder lining even more.
Explore supplements such as pumpkin seed oil, Vitamin D, saw palmetto, buchu, Gosha-jinki-gan, or magnesium to help alleviate symptoms, but do your own research and check in with your healthcare provider before beginning a new herbal regimen.

Allergies and Sensitivities

You may not consider that allergies would ever be affected by hormonal health, but think again. During perimenopause, estrogen levels are rapidly going up and down, which could disrupt the balance between histamine release and breakdown, causing a heightened sensitivity to histamine. Due to this, you may become more sensitive to certain foods, get flushed while drinking wine, or even experience allergic reactions and sensitivities to things you normally can handle. During menopause, the histamine sensitivity may calm down, but the symptoms may worsen due to the body having a hard time breaking histamine down.

Integrative Strategies to Manage Sensitivity

While every woman may experience allergies and sensitivities differently, there are ways to make reactions less severe:

Try an elimination diet: If you’re experiencing flushing, digestive upset, or any reactions that may be food-related, an elimination diet is a great way to pinpoint what’s upsetting your body.
Identify and reduce airborne irritants such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold, and smoke. Consider purchasing a high-quality air purifier, keep your home clean, and minimize any exposure to things that make allergies worse.
Start an anti-inflammatory diet: eat a whole-foods diet while eliminating processed foods and high sugar intake. Focus on local, organic meats, whole grains, vegetables and fruits and try to avoid consuming problem-causing sodas, excessive coffee, alcohol, and other irritants.
Nettles, Quercetin, and Butterbar (which may have some safety concerns) are just some herbal supplements that can help relieve seasonal allergies, but make sure they do not interact with other medications before taking.

Weight Gain Around the Midsection

Hormonal shifts create weight fluctuations throughout life. This is especially true during perimenopause and menopause. During reproductive years, weight storage is held in the thighs and hips due to high estrogen levels. As those levels drop, the weight tends to store more in the belly/midsection, as it does with men. Lowered estrogen can also affect metabolism and the body’s ability to burn fat.

Holistic Management Tips to Reduce Belly Fat

When it comes to feeling great in your body, prioritize eating well, moving often, and getting good sleep. Engage in 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous workouts per week. Include strength training 2-3 times a week to build strength and muscle mass, which will help metabolism and burn fat. On mellow days, enjoy walks, swimming, or other low-impact workouts that are enjoyable and calming. Reduce sugar intake, imbibe in healthy fats, and eat a whole-foods, minimally-processed diet to keep you lean, healthy, and strong. Consider drinking green tea daily, as studies show it can aid in weight loss.

Digestive Problems

One of the main reasons why you may be experiencing more gut issues during perimenopause and menopause is due to reduced gut microbiome activity. This study suggests that lowered estrogen levels result in reduced gut microbiome diversity, which could cause various stomach symptoms. Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and other gut-related issues are more common during this time.

Functional Nutrition Ideas and Natural Digestive Aids for Better Digestion

Eat probiotic-rich foods, like fermented kimchi, pickles, miso, or kraut. You can also take high-potency probiotic supplements to help diversify the gut biome.
Eat a whole-foods diet with a balance of fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, high sugar intake, and acidic foods (such as spicy foods, coffee, and alcohol).
Manage stress: the digestive system and stress are intricately linked: so be sure to incorporate daily de-stressing practices, like a calm walk outside, breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, or meditation – to name a few. If you have high stressors in life, seek out professional help from a certified behavioral therapist.
Consider natural digestive aids, such as bromelain (found in pineapple), papain (found in mango and papaya), and amylase (found in bananas). These can also be taken in supplement form. Lipase (found in avocados) and actinidin (found in kiwis) are also helpful digestive enzymes.
Consider eating smaller, more frequent meals to help your body better digest food.

Emotional Fluctuations

Estrogen and progesterone significantly decline during menopause, which are important hormones that regulate serotonin, that “feel good” neurotransmitter. The constant fluctuations of hormones during perimenopause can mess with brain chemistry, leading to anxiety, mood swings, and oftentimes, depression. It’s important to prioritize your mental health during this time, and take whatever measures are necessary to feel better.

Holistic Approaches to Mood Swings and Emotional Regulation

For mild ups and downs, daily meditation, journaling, going for walks, and prioritizing your physical and mental health will do wonders during the emotional ups and downs. Staying social and participating in hobbies you enjoy is also crucial.

For more serious emotional dysregulation, consider CBT therapy. Look into natural mood stabilizers, such as St. John’s Wort (for lifting out of depression), Omega 3’s, probiotics, and adaptogens such as Ashwagandha. Always talk to your healthcare provider or a clinical herbalist to get the support you need for your specific concerns.

Sleep Disturbances

Lastly, menopause can significantly alter your sleep. Insomnia, tossing and turning, night sweats, and waking up often in the night is common during this time due to hormonal shifts.

Naturopathic Sleep Aids

First and foremost, it’s important to practice good sleep hygiene. Turn off blue lights on screens and overhead lights after the sun goes down to start to relax the body and prepare it for sleep. Go to sleep at the same time every night, and avoid drinking too much liquid an hour or two before bed. Practice winding down by reading a book, rubbing warm oil on the soles of your feet, or doing a relaxing and grounding meditation. Try to avoid working or staring at blue light late at night (and use a red light filter or get blue blockers). Create a cozy, cool-temperature, and dark environment in your bedroom where it’s quiet. Consistently is key here.

If adjusting your environment still isn’t helping, consider taking natural sleep aids, such as: Melatonin, Chamomile, Valerian root, the scent of lavender on your pillow, or Skullcap. Be sure the herbs do not counteract with other medications you’re taking.

Benefits of Holistic Management for Menopause Symptoms

Improved Quality of Life

It’s easy to pop a prescription pill and have all your problems go away, or maybe just for a very short period. Holistic management of menopause symptoms is a more natural and safe way to treat symptoms at a gentler level with far less side effects. Lifestyle shifts and healthy habits, such as eating a better diet and prioritizing sleep, will also help you live longer and feel better everyday. What’s more, addressing things holistically gets to the root cause, rather than just masking symptoms. Here’s an example:

If you begin a regular yoga practice and breathing exercise, you will see a decrease in stress, which will also improve hot flash episodes (which can be brought on by more stress). These relaxation techniques can also improve sleep quality, as well. Addressing things holistically is a win-win, giving you better health and more joy in life with less of a risk as traditional western methods.

Emotional Well-being

Holistic means, “relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts.” (Merriam-Webster) This means that, when treating a person, you are treating all of them – mind, body, and emotions. When we treat things holistically, we think about how it affects the individual on every level, not just how it treats one symptom.

Holistic management isn’t just about distributing pills (herbal remedies is just a small part of it), much of it has to do with lifestyle changes and incorporating supportive, therapeutic practices, whether that’s 1-1 therapy, support groups, or various breathing or body-based practices that help you feel whole.

Long-term Health Benefits

Managing symptoms of menopause holistically can help reduce night sweats, digestive distress, and sleep (among all of the surprising symptoms mentioned in this article). When you’re working with a holistic specialist 1-1, you can get extra support to identify imbalances while treating them holistically without any (or very little) side effects involved.

How Forum Health Can Help with Menopause Management

Here at Forum Health, we prioritize women’s wellbeing when it comes to menopause. We offer:

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Shockwave Therapy for Vaginal Dryness and Incontinence
Medical Weight Loss Program
Vaginal Rejuvenation Shots

While incorporating holistic treatments on your own can be very helpful, working with a professional 1-1 will give you far greater results, so we can deliver a personalized plan for you when you work with one of Forum Health’s integrative medicine experts.

If you’re ready to feel better and be healthier during menopause, schedule a consultation to learn how we can help you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top 15 symptoms of menopause?

Menopause symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common include: mood swings, insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, digestive issues, weight gain, allergies, heart palpitations, hair loss or thinning, urinary incontinence, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and dental problems.

How long do menopause symptoms last?

Most research shows that women experience menopausal symptoms up to 4-5 years after their last period. Perimenopause, the precursor to menopause, can last several years (typically up to 10) before menopause begins.

What are the symptoms of menopause after a partial hysterectomy?

You may or may not experience menopause symptoms after a partial hysterectomy. With ovaries intact, they will continue to produce estrogen and progesterone, which means you most likely won’t experience immediate menopause and still have periods. Over time, the periods will become irregular and you will begin perimenopause. If your ovaries were removed during the hysterectomy, you will enter menopause immediately – you’ll stop having periods and experience a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone. Normal menopause symptoms will commence during this time.

Is nausea a symptom of menopause?

Nausea is a possible symptom, but not common. Typically, if you’re experiencing nausea, it may be a secondary symptom of another menopause symptom, such as digestive issues, medication side-effects, or other health conditions. If nausea persists, seek medical assistance.

How do you know when menopause starts?

Early signs of menopause include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep issues, loss of libido, or weight gain. Menopause is officially diagnosed when it’s been 12 months since having your last period. See your doctor if you experience perimenopause or early menopause symptoms listed above.

Conclusion

Menopause symptoms go far beyond hot flashes – they can affect many areas of life. When you approach these issues through a holistic lens, you can get to the root cause of the issue, and create more ease, relaxation, happiness, and rest during this powerful transition in life. It’s important to understand these symptoms and manage them appropriately before other health conditions arise.

If you’re ready to feel better, educate yourself on holistic tools during menopause, and age gracefully, then consult with our experts here at Forum Health. Our expert staff is medically trained with an emphasis on holistic healthcare so you can find the relief you need – naturally.

Learn more about managing menopause at Forum Health and schedule a consultation today.