Unusual Menopause Symptoms No One Told You About + How to Manage

Almost everyone has heard about the symptoms commonly associated with menopause like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings, but for many women, declining hormone levels may cause a number of unusual symptoms that may surprise you.

In this post, we’ll go over some of the less common menopause symptoms, how to manage and when to call your doctor.

What are some unusual symptoms of menopause?

Here’s a list of some of the rarer and less well-known menopause-related symptoms:

Dry Mouth, Metallic taste,“Burning Tongue” Sensation

This is very rare, but some women experience a metallic taste in their mouths, food tasting different, a dry mouth, and/or a burning sensation on the tongue, lips or gums. This is due to fluctuating hormone levels which can affect the taste buds and make them more sensitive. This will typically resolve once your hormone levels stabilize, but good oral hygiene and keeping hydrated can help in the meantime.

Dry, Brittle Nails  

Declining estrogen levels causes loss of elasticity and moisture in your skin, and this affects your nails as well.  You may notice your nails seem dryer and break more easily. Using a good moisturizer, eating a healthy diet, and keeping well hydrated helps both your skin and your nails. Some women find that taking a Biotin supplement helps strengthen nails as well.

Fatigue

Tiredness that isn’t cured by rest can be menopause-related. Hormone fluctuations can cause the brain to wake in the early morning hours. Menopause fatigue can also be secondary to disrupted sleep from night sweats. Estrogen and progesterone also help protect against sleep apnea, so declining hormone levels can decrease the protective effect putting women at increased risk for this sleep disorder. Lifestyle modifications, optimizing your sleep environment, and a good sleep routine can all help.

“Bad” Cholesterol (LDL) May Rise

Estrogen plays a role in regulating cholesterol, so when estrogen levels decline, it’s common for the ‘bad’ type of cholesterol (LDL) to increase which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Unlike the other symptoms in this post, this is a silent process. You need a blood test to know your cholesterol numbers. Fortunately, elevated cholesterol can often be remedied with diet and exercise. Some cholesterol-lowering foods include oats, fatty fish like salmon, nuts, and black tea. Your doctor can order a blood screening and you can make lifestyle adjustments or take medication as indicated.

Increased Facial Hair 

Extra facial hair can appear with menopause because as the the female hormone estrogen declines, both the ovaries and the adrenal glands continue to make the male hormone, testosterone. The shift in the ratio of male to female hormones can cause more hair to grow on the face. Taking estrogen usually doesn’t have a significant effect. Excess facial hair isn’t an indication to start hormone replacement therapy unless you are also experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are effective remedies if the facial hair is bothering you. 

Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are more common in menstruation women due to hormonal fluctuations related to the monthly period. The headaches are typically worse just before a period starts, due to a drop in estrogen. 

For women with a history of hormonal headaches, they may become more frequent and severe during perimenopause when the hormone levels are fluctuating unevenly and can improve after menopause when the hormone levels stabilize.

However, there is no way to predict a migraine pattern. No single treatment works for everyone, so working with your doctor to experiment with various remedies and keeping a headache log to note improvements is the best way to optimize what works for you.

Digestive problems  

Constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, gas, and bloating can be menopause related.

Unusual Menopause Symptoms  FAQ’s

What are the worst menopause symptoms? 

Women in the earlier stages of perimenopause reported that lack of sleep, particularly difficulty staying asleep, was the most difficult symptom followed by memory issues, night sweats, and irritability.  

How bad can menopause make you feel?

For about 20% of women, menopause symptoms may be moderate to severe enough to interfere with sleep and disrupt daily activities. If your menopause symptoms interfere with your ability to enjoy your life, you should be evaluated by a skilled menopause practitioner. There is no need to suffer in silence. 

There are many effective options for managing menopause symptoms, but it may take some time to figure out what works for you.  

Educating yourself and keeping track of your symptoms can help both you and your doctor target the best management options for your body and preferences.

Unusual Menopause Symptoms: Final Thoughts

Menopause symptoms vary widely between women, but almost all menopause symptoms, even the less common ones,  are caused by the same declining hormone levels. 

Even the unusual menopause symptoms will typically resolve over time after the hormone levels reach a new low steady state. Remedies including diet, exercise, hormone replacement, and other medications may help during the transition.  However, it is a good idea to ask your doctor to assess any persistent unusual symptoms to rule out other causes.