Last year I was preparing to be interviewed for a webinar, and I received the pre-webinar questions. I was slightly taken aback when I read “Is it correct that there are 66 menopausal symptoms?” Even I was taken shocked by that figure! I usually work on the basis of there being just over 30 symptoms. So, of course, I googled it! There was a link to 66 menopausal symptoms…but don’t panic, I reviewed it and realised that many of the symptoms included in my list of approx. 30 had been expanded upon. I was pleased to be able to provide that reply within the webinar, but let’s face it, even 30+ feels like an awful lot!
A survey of 5,744 people, which was open between 1-9 December 2022, was launched by Dr Louise Newson and her team. It revealed:
The top 10 perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms that the women surveyed were most affected by, were as follows:
Brain Fog 90%
Anxiety 86%
Tiredness or low energy 82%
Memory problems 80%
Sleep problems 79%
Low mood 79%
Low libido 78%
Irritability 77%
Low motivation 76%
When I consider the symptoms listed above, I’m reminded of the symptoms I had. However, the symptoms I was suffering with were not the ones the doctors were asking me about. They kept asking whether I was having hot flushes and if my periods had stopped and I had the same answer for 6 years… “No!”
Please remember when reading this blog that any symptoms you or a loved one is experiencing will be individual to them. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to perimenopause and menopause.
Symptoms come and go and then another batch of symptoms comes along, and all the while, life is happening, and it is so hard to pinpoint what is going on. This is one of the main reasons women just keep going and don’t seek the support they need.
Here are a couple of my top tips when it comes to managing your symptoms:
- Take stock – are there triggers to your symptoms? (consider food and drink)
- Keep a note – jot down your thoughts/feelings and any symptoms you are experiencing. Keep your notes and you can take them with you to any medical appointments to advocate for yourself
- Don’t assume – always have a bigger conversation with any medical professional and never assume the symptoms you are experiencing are menopause related
- We don’t just have to put up with these symptoms – there are so many things we can do to support ourselves
If you are struggling with symptoms and think they may be related to perimenopause or menopause, please reach out to me and find out more. I can help guide you through this period of life and show you that suffering in silence isn’t the way forward.
