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Other common symptoms of menopause

Menopause can affect almost every part of the body. These are other symptoms women commonly have.

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Heart, energy and head

Palpitations

Irregular heartbeats or palpitations. Many women see a heart specialist (cardiologist) at this time, worried that they have a heart condition. A heartbeat that is often irregular should be checked.

Extreme tiredness

No energy for routine tasks, and finding it hard to get through the day. Restlessness and listlessness.

Headaches

Some women get more headaches, or stronger ones, sometimes because of poor sleep. Migraines may get worse in the perimenopause.

Dizziness and ringing in the ears

Dizziness, light-headedness and poor balance. Ringing in the ears.

Tingling

A tingling feeling on any part of the body, or under the skin.

Breast tenderness

Breasts that feel tender and sore. See a doctor promptly for a new lump or a change in the nipple.

Tummy, food and allergies

Bloating and tummy upsets

Bloating and stomach upsets, with wind (flatulence) and burping.

New food sensitivities

Becoming more sensitive to foods that did not cause problems before, such as dairy products, gluten and wheat. Talk to your doctor before cutting out whole food groups.

New allergies

Allergies to medicines that were safe to take before.

Health conditions

New or worsening conditions

Medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol may start, or get worse if you already have them.

Higher risk of heart disease

The risk of coronary heart disease increases. About cardiovascular disease

Thyroid changes

Thyroid problems become more common in midlife and can cause similar symptoms, so your doctor may check your thyroid.

Bone loss

Bone loss and osteoporosis. About osteoporosis

Hair, nails, gums and body odour

Hair changes

Hair loss or thinning, greying of hair, and more facial hair.

Nail changes

Nails become softer and more brittle.

Gum problems

Bleeding gums and loosening of teeth. See a dentist.

Body odour and bad breath

Changes in body odour, with bad breath.

Check with your doctor

Not every symptom is due to menopause

Many of these symptoms can also have other causes. If you have new or worrying symptoms, see your doctor to check. When to consult a doctor

Call 999 straight away for

a sudden, severe headache, or a headache with weakness, numbness, confusion, slurred speech, loss of vision, or a fever with a stiff neck
palpitations with chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or dizziness
sudden dizziness, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, or a drooping face
swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing after a medicine

See a doctor soon if you have

a headache that keeps getting worse, wakes you up, or is a new kind of headache after 50
bloating most days for 3 weeks or more, especially with feeling full quickly, pain in the pelvis or tummy, needing to pass urine more often, a change in bowel habit, blood in your stools or weight loss
tingling or numbness in the hands or feet that does not go away
ringing in one ear only, or ringing with hearing loss

Your doctor can help you work out what is going on and talk you through your options.

When to consult a doctor