10 Surprising Symptoms of Menopause

At this point, you’re probably not shocked by some of the most common (and frustrating) menopause symptoms. Hot flashes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, painful sex, and mood swings are common experiences in midlife due to natural drop in estrogen levels.

But what about other, more obscure experiences that many women report? You’re not crazy – these are definitely menopause symptoms.

10 Surprising Symptoms of Menopause

While these symptoms are not necessarily a common part of menopause, you’re definitely not alone.

Dry and Burning Mouth

This condition has a name—burning mouth syndrome (BMS)—and affects between 15-33% of postmenopausal women. A drop in estrogen is thought to cause less saliva production, dry mouth, and a burning sensation.

It’s possible that reducing stomach acid can help BMS.

Metallic Taste

Dry mouth can also trigger a metallic taste for many women.

Some report that boosting their zinc intake can help, as can sucking on candies that increase saliva production and staying well-hydrated.

Itchy Skin

Dry and itchy skin can be a condition called pruritus caused by loss of estrogen. Estrogen encourages oil production that keeps your skin moisturized. Lower estrogen also leads to loss of collagen, a building block of your skin. Itching can be a common side effect of drier skin with less collagen.

Staying well-hydrated, using lotions, oatmeal baths, and anti-itch medications in more severe cases can help.

Body Odor

Believe it or not, hormonal changes can also trigger a change in how your body smells.

Hot flashes and night sweats, as well as anxiety, can lead to increased sweating and more body odor. Outside of menopause, studies show that body odor changes distinctly with age.

Stay hydrated, manage your stress levels, sleep in breathable clothing and bedding (natural fibers are best) and speak with your doctor if you’re concerned.

Thinning Hair

Estrogen helps your hair grow faster and last longer so, when hormone levels drop, your hair might feel the effects. Some women will lose their hair during menopause. Fortunately, women tend to experience hair thinning all over, instead of bald spots.

Stay away from excessive stress in your hair routine, like high-heat tools, brushing your hair when it’s wet, and using abrasive products. Reduce stress on the follicles by avoiding tight ponytails or buns. Make sure you have a healthy diet with nutrients that promote hair growth.

New Allergies

If you notice that you have a new sensitivity or allergy during menopause, hormones may be at the root of the problem. Estrogen may help your body respond to allergens, so lower estrogen levels may make you more sensitive.

If you’re noticing environmental or food sensitivities, try to identify triggers (and avoid them) and reduce your exposure to environmental allergens. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider for the best management options for bothersome new allergies.

Electric Shock Sensation

Though generally considered to be harmless, this symptom can feel like a sudden, snapping sensation in different parts of your body. It’s presumed to be a result of hormonal changes, and possibly a type of paresthesia—a numbness and tingling sensation that is sometimes present during menopause as well as in other situations.

While there is no straightforward protocol, some women find relief from staying hydrated, improving their sleep, being physically active, eating well, and ensuring that they have adequate vitamins and minerals.

Gum Disease

Dental professionals think that women become more susceptible to mouth and gum disease during menopause because of hormone changes leading to bone loss and increased inflammation in the body.

Take good care of your teeth by brushing and flossing daily, as well as seeing a dentist regularly.

Digestive Problems

Another common complaint for many women during menopause is constipation or irregularity in their bowel movements. Hormone changes can impact your digestive system by causing cortisol levels to rise, increasing stress and slowing digestion.

To promote regular bowel movements, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and get enough fiber in your diet from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.

Panic Attacks

Many women experience mood changes during menopause, like depression, anxiety, and irritability. Less commonly, you could experience intense feelings of panic that aren’t normal for you. Symptoms of a panic attack include a racing heart, weakness, sweating, dizziness, shortness of breath, and tingling.

Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider for management, which may include anxiety medication and counseling.

Menopause can be a strange experience in many ways. If you’re not sure if the changes you’re feeling are menopause-related, be sure to talk to a menopause expert to rule out other causes and get advice on relief.