Menopause symptoms and the associated signs of menopause are part of a woman’s natural reproductive cycle. Most women will have at least one of a variety of menopause symptoms at some time before, during or after the menopause.
During the early teens, your ovaries will start releasing an egg every month. If the egg is fertilized, pregnancy occurs. If there is no fertilization the egg dies. The uterine lining (endometrium) which was built up in preparation for pregnancy, breaks down and is shed – menstruation. There are 4 main hormones involved in the menstrual cycle:
- estrogen
- progesterone
- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
The two that concern you most with regard to signs of menopause and symptoms of menopause are estrogen and progesterone. The menstrual cycle can be divided into 3 parts:
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- pre-ovulation
- post-ovulation
- menstruation
In the pre-ovulatory phase, the developing egg releases a lot of estrogen. This makes the endometrium grow and thicken. In the post ovulatory phase, progesterone is secreted in increasing amounts from the corpus luteum which is left in the ovary after ovulation.
It acts to increase the blood supply to the endometrium making it water-logged and rich in nutrients. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum dies through lack of stimulation from a growing fetus. Following this, the secretion of estrogen and progesterone declines.
The endometrium does not have enough hormonal stimulation to thrive and starts to break down shedding the top 2 layers and leaving the basal layer intact. This is referred to as menstruation. In the absence of pregnancy, this cycle occurs roughly every month (22-35 days).
There is a limited number of eggs in the ovaries and as you get older, more and more of them die off. By the time you’re in your 40s, most of the eggs have been released during ovulation or died and the few that are left are usually of poor quality. Ovulation may not occur every month and the length of the menstrual cycle gradually increases. Menstruation becomes irregular until eventually periods stop altogether.
During this time of irregular ovulation/menstruation, there is a lot of variation in estrogen and progesterone levels. Estrogen levels tend to be higher than those of progesterone, leading to the use of the term ‘estrogen dominance’ to describe this imbalance. Without a corpus luteum there is very little secretion of progesterone.
However, estrogen is still produced (in the fat cell for example) from conversion of androgens (male sex hormones) produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Menopause symptoms and menopause signs are thus caused by several factors:
- imbalance between estrogen and progesterone
- progesterone deficiency
- estrogen deficiency
The following list of menopause symptoms and menopause signs is very long and far from exhaustive. Fortunately, no woman will have all the menopause symptoms and signs and some women are fortunate enough to have relatively mild menopause symptoms.
Hot flashes / hot flushes
Hot flashes (or flushes) are the most common menopause symptom. They affect up to 85% of perimenopausal and menopausal women. They may be more severe in women who stop producing estrogen suddenly and in women who have surgical menopause through removal of their ovaries. Even if the uterus is removed without removing the ovaries, changes in blood supply to the ovaries may mean that they don’t function properly.
Night sweats
This is also known as nocturnal pyperhydrosis and involves waking up at night to find yourself drenched in sweat.
Irregular menstruation
Normal periods may change during menopause. the time between each period may become much shorter or longer. The period may be absent for a couple of months. The flow of the period may also become heavier or lighter.
Vaginal dryness
The lining of the vagina becomes very thin and fragile making it irritated and sore. It also loses its elastic nature and can’t stretch the way it used to. Estrogen and progesterone help to keep the vagina healthy. Without them, the vagina eventually shrinks, a process called vaginal atrophy. It also makes intercourse uncomfortable and even painful.
Other menopause symptoms include
- depression
- forgetfulness
- headaches
- inability to concentrate
- irritability
- mood swings
- chest pain
- palpitations
- sore breasts
- itchy vulva
- loss of sex drive
- slower sexual arousal
- constipation
- abdominal bloating
- irritable bladder
- frequent bladder infection
- frequent urination
- increased facial hair
- thinning hair
- itchy skin
- brittle nails
- pins and needles
- sore muscles
- stiff/swollen joints
- back pain
These menopause symptoms occur at various times. Early symptoms of menopause include irregular or heavy vaginal bleeding while menopause symptoms like thinning of the hair and brittle nails may not occur for several years after the menopause.
I actually have a question. I’m 44 and ttc. My nipples are sore and I ovulated 2 days ago. Is this a post-ovulation symptom? I really need to know so I don’t get my hopes up. Thank you for your reply.
Hi Kelly. I know it must be a little difficult waiting to see if your period is going to turn up each month, don’t lose hope.
Out of curiosity, I just wanted to ask how you know that you ovulated 2 days ago.
As for the sore nipples, there is the tendency for them to be sore in the second half of the menstrual cycle because of increased levels of progesterone. Progesterone causes water retention which can lead to sensitivity and soreness. That said, 2 days after ovulation is too early to know if you’re pregnant. Difficult as it may be, just give it a little time. If it happens, there’s no way you won’t find out eventually.
Take care.
Since the birth of my first child, when i was 34, I have had many symptoms of menopause.
I was put on an estrogen patch and birth control pills, which have helped tremendously but the few times Ihave tried to go off my pills or been late putting on my patch, the symptoms come right back. The main ones are sore muscles/muscle tension, stiff, achy joints, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations and extreme irritability.
My ob/midwife says that it’s not widely talked about but that it’s not uncommon for your hormones to be permanently altered after childbirth and that she sees a number of women in the same boat as me.
I’ve never heard of this and have only met one other woman who was having the same exact problems. Have you heard of this happening after childbirth?
Incidentally, by going off birth control but staying on my patch, I was able to conceive and have another child but I still have the same menopausal symptoms if I’m not vigilant with the patch.
The doctor who originally prescribed the patch/pill combo for me said I had premature ovarian failure but my progesterone levels were always very normal. If my ovaries were failing, wouldn’t all ovarian hormones be low, not just estrogen?
Sorry for this long comment and all the questions. it’s just that after seven years, I’m still confused about all of this and wish i knew what was wrong with me.
Hi Izzy. I know how frustrating this kind of thing can be. It’s difficult to give you a definite answer because your doctor and Ob/midwife who have been attending to you will have a more accurate idea about what’s going on.
There are a couple of things I can tell you though.
Like I said, I’m assuming you actually do have ovarian failure because your doctor is in the best position to know what’s going on.
You managed to conceive? You’re really blessed!
Take care.
Conception has never been a problem for me (pregnant three times on the very first try) and according to the ovulation scope I use each month to, ironically, make sure I don’t get pregnant, I ovulate regularly (and even since all this started, FSH has always been normal) although now that I’m approaching 40, I expect that will start to change.
To be honest, I don’t think I have POV. The only other possibility that was mentioned was PCOS although other than a couple of weird, wiry chin hairs, I have absolutely no symptoms or signs and believe me, I’ve had enough bloodwork for three lifetimes…lol
Thanks for your help
hello there, i am 41, and have been in menopause since i was 37, i was allite disappointed at first, but , i was blessed to be able to concieve two kids, i do however sometimes feel like iam ovulating sometime, and can you still get discharges related ot you cycle, i do get a llittle linning build up so the gyno put me on drug to take only twice a year to shed it , to keep me from getting uterin cancer, oh yes , i did have one of my ovary removed at a 10, because of a tumor, would this have any bearing on my early meno, oh guess what girls , there is one good thing about menopause, no more very painful periods, and no more stinking, awful blood, but i want more kids though, can i still do it thanks heather
I’ve also noticed that my skin has been affected as I reach a menopause age. Is it natural to have scaly skin as a result of menopause?
Very informative, good article .thank you
Hello to all
I can’t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Help me, please
Great post and a great blog.
My wife is soon to be 48 years young. She is beautiful, but she suffers from such a bad self image, and I do believe she is in her menopausal years, and I just need some information on what I can do to be more helpful during these times for her. What can I expect and how can make these times for her a little bit easier.
Thank you so much.
Brian Gosur
Hi ,
my name is Sharon I am 50 years old ,I am experiencing pins and needles mainly in my hands and wrist areas but also at times in my feet and even back I am very frustrated with this as drs have not as yet been able to pin point a aprobable cause which makes me worry that it may be of a more serious nature even though blood tests have failed to show anything I was wondering if anyone out there is having any similar experiences I would be grateful for some feedback thanks , Kind Regards Sharon.
Hi Sharon,
I am 54 years old and have had very few menopausal symptoms but the pins and needles all over my body but mainly in my lower arms are driving me nuts. does anyone have any solutions or should I visit my doctor?
I am a 52 year old female. About a week ago my ovaries hurt really bad on the right side and my nipples have been hurting about 2 weeks now. They are so tender to the touch I cant even touch them. What is going on?
I am 51 years old. I still menstruate every 28 days, although my periods are very heavy the first three days. The problem I am writing about is that about a week or so before my period is due, I experience vaginal soreness/pain during intercourse. This does not happen every month, but I am noticing that it happens most months at this point. I do not experience vaginal dryness – so that can’t be the problem. I am assuming that it has something to do with hormone levels, but I am not sure. I usually refrain from intercourse during that time, and after my period is over, everything is fine again, so I am not asking for what to do to stop the pain – I am just curious to know what is going on, since I have never had this before!
i am 44 and 9 days late for my period i have no signs of the menopause the only thing i am experiencing is sore breasts and nipples i done a pregnacy test which was neg i have never been late before and was wondering what was going on if the test was neg and im late im now confused
Im 41 and been diagnosed by blood test to be on tyhe change (menapausal) i have also irregular periods, sore tender breasts, and skin is so dry. I thoughts i was to younge but can happen any any age, not forgetting moods swings
Fantastic website, thank you so much, I am 51 and have been going through these symptoms for a couple of years so much that I have divorced after 30 years of marriage because he just did not understand that I needed time to go through my change and nobody seemed to understand or diagnose my symptoms. I have experienced loss of weight, itchy skin mostly in the winter, mood, depression, hair loss, pins and needles, achy all over and pretty much everything you described above. My new problem which lead me to your website is sore breasts for about a month, I used to get them every month but they would go away they have enlarged a cup size and are sore all the time. Thank you for your website I am glad I found it.
i’d like to know if there’s a correlation post-menopause between fluttering heartbeats/pounding and sore nipples? I asked by GYN a month or so ago to do a hormone balance blood check, but she told me it was pointless since I am on the combi-patch (HRT). That doesn’t sound logical to me – what if, even tho’ I’m on the patch, my hormones are imbalanced? Maybe I’m lacking Testosterone or something the patch doesn’t provide.
Would appreciate your answer. (P.S. I’m extremely healthy w/no problems otherwise).
I am late 47 and I have a partial hysterectomy several years ago. Within the last 48 hours my right nipple has been extremely sore. I don’t even have to wear a bra. just be with a t-shirt on and my nipple is extremely painful and sore. I had my annual breast exam and 4 months ago and everything was fine. I ‘m wondering if it could be a premenopause symptom. I have been having hot flashes at night and sometimes during the day. It’s only the right nipple.
I am 40 years old. I had a hysterectomy when I was 30.
My nipples have for a few years gone hard for no reason. For the last few days I have a sore right nipple and it won’t go down. Last time I had sex it was sore, which was unusual. I have notice a memory problem. Is it menopause?
I’m 41, and I’ve noticed that I feel sore all over my body when my period is starting–it’s like a bruised feeling. I don’t know if that has to do with anemia because I’ve been anemic before. And by the way, you’re a good man, Brian…:)
Hello, I need some advise. I’m 39 and I have no interest in sex. I have a boyfriend of 5 years and I have no interest for sex in the last 2 years. I actually have to be drunk to even think about sex. My hair is really thinning and falling out. I have my periods every month and I am not on the pill. Is there something I can take to help me?
hy i have times when i feil like i have bean in boxing ring &havent bean a sleep all night my simptons adifernt each mounth i dont have pleeding
Hello, I need information/help, with sore, itchy nipples.I’ll be 47, 2 yrs ago I had a partal hystorectomy, I have only 1 overy left. My nipples have felt hard and very sore even with no bra, my breast also feel heavy and sore when I take my bra off, and yes I have extreme vaginal dryness during intercourse, no sex drive what so ever. I was not put on any kind of HTR and my GYN hasn’t suggested any even with my symtoms. Should I be on something? and what would you recommend over the counter for me. Also KY jelly isn’t all that good for lubercation, could you recommend something better for that? I seldom have hot flashes but if I do they are usually first thing when I get out of bed, this does make it hard to get ready for work as I’m irate. My consentration has gotten so bad that I often forget my childrens birthdays and pin numbers and such, how long does this change thing take????
astro glide
Hello,
I am 34 and am experiecing most of the symptoms listed above… Hat led me to this web site was a query about sore nipples and breasts. Once I read the info onsymptoms on menopause so many things started to make sense. Am I too you for this to be a possibility. I have a 15 year old and quit the pill about two years ago. I am not pregnant and like I said I have most of the symptoms listed above. Could it be this or something else? Help please…
i just wanted to say that Brian you are a good man. wish there were more like you. i also wanted to say that i love this website. thank you for the information. it was very helpful
Brian is a very good man!
plsss i need an answer to my probs,
i am 27 and my mensural flow is irregular this month i saw my periiod for three days but the flow was not as much as it used to be.aftter my period stoped my breast became very painful and somworth heavy,plsss can u possibly tell me wat dat means. i ve don the urinary pregnancy test and it is negative,and d pain has continued for some time now.awaiting ur responce thank u
hello plss can u help me, i am 27.my mensurual circle is irregular for a very long time. this month my period came but it dint flw as it usualy does.after the third day it stoped but den my bbreast started hurting and became heavy,i ve don the urinary pregnancy test and it is negative.my breast and nipples still hurt can u profer any solution for me plsss.
I thank you for this article and agree that yes Brian is a good man. My hubby needs to learn this. I now know that perhaps I am also going through a lot of these symptoms. This has opened me up to getting more information and understanding my body.
I’m 50 years old. Lately I feel my arm and legs can easily feel numb especially when I woke up in the morning. My period has been very regular but now my last period was 98 days ago. My nipple also feel sore, I think should be ovulation time cause there’s a lot of discharge during this period. Could all these symptoms due to menopause?
It’s very possible. You’re at about the right age. You can’t officially say you’re in menopause until you’ve been without a period for a year though so I guess you’ll have to wait a while.
I am 52 yrs. old and have been perimenopausal for the last 4 years. Lately my period has been often and very heavy; to the point where I cannot function. I have also noticed hair loss to the point where I am very uncomfortable going out in public and even get sunburned scalp. My Dr. suggests an IUD to help with the periods but I wonder if this could also help with the hair loss. Could my hair loss be due to lack of progesterone and could the IUD help? Can hair loss be reversed?