THE 48
SYMPTOMS

of the menopause

WE’VE UNCOVERED THE SYMPTOMS OF THE MENOPAUSE.

GenM is making people think about the menopause as never before.

Our ground-breaking definition of the 48 symptoms associated with every stage of the menopause lies at the heart of this success. These 48 symptoms can be experienced throughout the menopause - whether that’s perimenopause, menopause or post menopause. So discover more about the different stages of the menopause and get to know the 48 symptoms. Because the more informed you are, the more impactful the changes you can make to leave us all better prepared.

GenM is making people think about the menopause as never before.

All

48 SYMPTOMS

CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL

Feeling repulsed by the taste of your once daily coffee habit? Maybe your favourite scented candle smell different to normal? A change to taste and smell is one of the menopause symptoms that raises a few eyebrows.

DECREASING FERTILITY

As signs of the menopause start to emerge, are you relieved that your chances of falling pregnant could be dropping by the day? Or are your nerves being stretched to their limits as you try to conceive a longed-for child?

DENTAL PROBLEMS

OK, so you had prepared yourself for hot flushes, mood swings and brain fog… but no-one warned you that your mouth might suffer in the menopause. Bleeding gums, tooth decay, bone loss in your jaw? They are nothing to smile about.

DEPRESSION

You’re not just sad. This is worse than that. It’s like someone’s sucked the colour out of life. The things you used to enjoy don’t give you pleasure anymore. Getting up in the morning feels like a battle. The world feels dark. And you’ve felt like this a while now – a few weeks or maybe even months.

DIZZINESS

Fed up of standing up and immediately feeling like you’re going to fall over? These wibbly, wobbly, weak moments seem to have come out of nowhere. Is this a normal part of getting older? Will you ever be steady on your feet again?

DRY EYES

Finding it tough to read, drive and focus on the most basic of tasks? Come to think of it, your eyes feel gritty, itchy and comfortable. The good news is that dry eyes are usually nothing to cry about.

DRY MOUTH

Remember: the menopause isn’t always responsible for dry mouth. Other causes include dehydration, anxiety, medicine, breathing through your mouth, some cancer treatments and medical conditions – like diabetes.

FATIGUE

Feel like you’ve been hit by a freight train? Like you’re going on 500-years-old rather than 50? Fatigue is a common symptom of perimenopause and menopause. And yes, it’s all down to those pesky hormone imbalances.

FEELING COLD

Feel like you’re spending more and more time burrowed in a jumper? The weather’s not even being that unpredictable, but you alternate between feeling OK and then shivery or cold? Why can’t you just stay warm goddamnit?

HEADACHES & MIGRAINES

You may have always been prone to a headache or two around your time of the month. But recently, they’ve got worse. You feel a bit woozy and sick and one side of your head is pounding.

HEART PALPITATIONS

There are many songs that wax lyrical about your heart skipping a beat when you’re a giddy kipper in love… But what if you aren’t feeling at all romantic and your heart is missing some beats or randomly chucking in a few extra. Or, more worryingly, racing away like you’ve just completed the grand national without a horse?

HOT FLUSHES

You never know when one is going to hit you. One minute you’re completely fine, the next you’re drenched, uncomfortable and looking more like Alice Cooper than the polished professional you were moments before.

THE 4 STAGES

of the menopause

Early menopause

Periods stop before 45, naturally or due to surgery/chemo

Perimenopause

Periods become less like clockwork and symptoms can start

Menopause

Periods stop but symptoms may continue

Post menopause

Only symptoms caused by low hormone levels remain

GenM

General top tips

Check out our great tips on coping with the menopause to give yourself an easier ride…

General top tips

Stay hydrated

Stay hydrated

Drink at least two litres of water every day to help ward off changes to your skin, hair and nails, keep your organs in check and your brain firing on all cylinders.

Exercise regularly

Exercise regularly

Whether it’s a brisk walk or full-blown workout, lifting your heart-rate will release endorphins – your brain’s own pick-me-up for both mental and physical symptoms.

Eat the rainbow

Eat the rainbow

Up the amount of veg, protein, calcium and magnesium in your diet to give your body the good stuff it needs to deal with the changes it's going through.

Get a better night’s sleep

Get a better night’s sleep

Getting six to eight hours sleep a night is the secret of a better day with less intense symptoms. Avoid screens and stimulants like caffeine before bed.

Seek out supplements

Seek out supplements

Finding the right supplements for you can work wonders – from Omega-3s to fire up your brain through to sage extract to keep hot flushes at bay.

Consider HRT

Consider HRT

It’s well worth investigating whether or not you can take it. Track your symptoms on paper or via an app and show your doctor to find the right type and dose for you.

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