34 Menopausal symptoms

Changes in your cycle are often one of the first signs of menopause. The second half of your cycle becomes irregular due to declining progesterone levels: Your period may be shorter or longer, lighter, or even torrential. Continuous bleeding is also possible. For women who use hormonal contraception, these fluctuations are often less noticeable. Particularly heavy or prolonged bleeding can lead to iron deficiency.

During menopause, declining estrogen levels, changes in insulin sensitivity , and loss of muscle mass can lead to a shift in body weight distribution. Fat can accumulate more around the midsection, especially the abdomen, and overall body fat percentage increases slightly. Added to this are symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings, which can affect eating behavior. It's no wonder, then, that weight gain can occur more easily during this phase.

Sore and tender breasts are often one of the first signs of menopause – and this is due to an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen causes the body to retain water, and the declining progesterone can no longer properly compensate for this. The result? Feelings of tension and sensitivity to touch.

The good news: This symptom is often one of the first to subside as you approach menopause and your hormones settle down. A ray of hope during this period of change!

If you sometimes feel like you're struggling to concentrate, this could also be due to fluctuating hormone levels. Since estrogen supports blood flow to the brain, low levels can lead to a decrease in concentration and a somewhat foggy brain feeling. Poor sleep also contributes to difficulty focusing. The good news: This menopausal forgetfulness has nothing to do with dementia and is often only temporary.

Just like brain fog, memory lapses during menopause can also be caused by fluctuating hormone levels. In fact, more than half of women in perimenopause and menopause report a decline in their mental performance, especially memory.

Mood swings can creep in even during perimenopause. Declining estrogen levels throw your body off balance – and this also affects your mood. Because less estrogen also means less serotonin, our "happy hormone." The result? An emotional rollercoaster that manifests not only in sudden mood swings but can also bring with it increased feelings of anger, sadness, or stress.

Many women experience increased irritability. Hormones are often the culprit here, too. Stress and lack of sleep also contribute. Sometimes it's simply a combination of all of the above.

The hormonal imbalance during menopause can trigger depressive moods in some women, especially if they have previously struggled with depression. Lack of sleep and stress also often play a role. But even women who have never experienced depression before can suddenly be confronted with it – often triggered by hormonal fluctuations, but also by external stressors that increase during this phase of life, such as the loss of parents or children moving away. The good news: These depressions are often situational and don't last forever. Therefore, it's important to have your hormone levels checked before resorting to antidepressants.

Anxiety is another of these mood-dependent, hormonal symptoms that can accompany menopause. Anxiety can be particularly intense at night or even appear suddenly when hormone levels are on a rollercoaster. It manifests itself in nervousness, heart palpitations, or general restlessness. The good news is that these anxieties are often only situational and subside once hormones have settled down.

Anxiety can sometimes lead to panic attacks – and these often occur unexpectedly and unexpectedly. If these attacks become more frequent and you constantly wonder when the next one will come, it can be very stressful and develop into a panic disorder.

Sleep becomes a real issue for many women during menopause. Night sweats, early morning wake-ups, or trouble falling asleep and staying asleep often make getting a restful night's sleep difficult. In fact , between 40% and 60% of menopausal women report such sleep disturbances. Sleep deprivation, in turn, affects the immune system, exacerbates other symptoms such as anxiety and difficulty concentrating, and impairs your overall fitness in everyday life.

Fatigue is one of the most common and distressing symptoms women experience during menopause. Whether due to hormonal changes, other symptoms like poor sleep, or simply because you're constantly multitasking —work, children, and parents with disabilities—a change in energy level is completely normal during this phase. But the good news is: There are simple ways to regain your energy!

During menopause, sexual desire can decrease—not uncommon. Hormonal changes such as lower estrogen and testosterone levels, as well as vaginal dryness, can dampen pleasure. But other factors such as changing body image, emotional ups and downs, and changes in relationships or family dynamics can also play a role.

Headaches and migraines can become more frequent during menopause, especially during perimenopause when hormone levels fluctuate significantly. The good news: Many women find that these hormonal headaches decrease after menopause once hormone levels stabilize.

Vaginal dryness is a common issue during menopause, although few people talk about it openly. The declining estrogen levels affect blood flow and natural lubrication of the vaginal lining, which can lead to dryness, burning, and sometimes painful sex . These symptoms often appear later in menopause and can persist even after menopause. But there are ways to help.

Estrogen is quite important for your hair, as it strengthens hair follicles and prolongs the growth phase. When estrogen levels drop during menopause, this phase shortens, and the follicles can shrink . As a result, your hair grows back more slowly and may become thinner.

The declining estrogen levels during menopause affect not only your skin and hair, but also your nails. When your body produces less creatine—the protein that makes nails strong—the nail layers can become weaker, and your nails are prone to brittleness.

Hormonal fluctuations can cause your body to retain more water , and you suddenly feel bloated. Your metabolism also begins to slow down, which can make digestion sluggish. Adding to that a change in diet or stress can lead to bloating.

Estrogen affects your gut flora—the microorganisms that aid digestion. When estrogen levels drop, the microbiome can change , often leading to digestive problems. In addition, the drop in estrogen levels causes higher concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, which makes it easier to release adrenaline. Adrenaline, in turn, impairs digestive function.

Many people don't realize that joint pain can also be triggered by menopause. Estrogen ensures that your joints remain well-lubricated and inflammation is kept under control. When estrogen levels drop, joints can become stiffer and painful —often in the shoulders, legs, or fingers. After menopause, many women report more frequent joint pain or osteoarthritis. This isn't always due to age or wear and tear, but often to the hormonal changes that accompany this phase.

Muscle pain is also a classic side effect of low estrogen. Estrogen plays an important role in the body, including fluid absorption into tissues and blood flow. As a result of low estrogen levels , muscles become less elastic, stiffen, and may begin to hurt.

During menopause, the decline in estrogen levels can lead to a loss of bone density—a real turning point for our bones. Estrogen plays an important role in protecting and building bones. When levels drop, bones become more brittle and prone to fractures. Without sufficient estrogen, bone formation also no longer functions as effectively, which significantly increases the risk of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women have a five times higher risk of osteoporosis than men.

If your skin suddenly becomes itchy or dry and flaky, it could be due to declining estrogen levels. Estrogen supports the production of collagen, which keeps your skin moist and elastic. With less estrogen, collagen also decreases , which can lead not only to dry, itchy skin but also to a loss of elasticity—the skin may appear looser. These changes don't just affect certain areas like the vagina, but can occur all over the body, so it's not uncommon for skin to feel different during menopause.

Just as during puberty, you may experience dizziness during menopause. Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels can disrupt your circulatory system and cause dizziness. Your blood sugar levels may also become unstable, which can increase the feeling of dizziness.

Does your heart sometimes feel like it's beating faster than usual? Don't worry, this can be completely normal during menopause. Fluctuating hormone levels, especially declining estrogen levels, can trigger irregular heart rhythms, which can also manifest as heart palpitations or atrial fibrillation. These changes are usually harmless, but it's always a good idea to discuss them with your doctor—just to be on the safe side.

If your mouth feels burning, tingling, or numb, it could also be due to the hormonal changes of menopause. The mucous membranes in your mouth have receptors for sex hormones, which become less active as estrogen levels drop. This can lead to unpleasant sensations such as burning, tingling, numbness, or tender gums . Your teeth may even shift slightly during this time. These are all lesser-known but recognized symptoms of menopause.

The sex hormone receptors in the mouth that can trigger the burning or tingling sensation described can also affect your sense of taste. Furthermore, saliva production decreases during menopause, which can lead to dry mouth and also impair your sense of taste.

Tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or legs may be more common during menopause. This is caused by fluctuating hormone levels that affect the central nervous system. This tingling often lasts only a few minutes and is usually harmless, even if it may seem unfamiliar.

Some women describe sensations that feel like small "electric shocks" under the skin. Like tingling, this phenomenon is due to fluctuating hormone levels that disrupt electrical signals in the nervous system.

During menopause, existing allergies may worsen or even cause new symptoms. This is due to fluctuating hormone levels, which can increase histamine levels—the substance that triggers allergic reactions.

Frequent or sudden urges to urinate can also accompany menopause. This is because declining estrogen and progesterone levels can weaken the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, thus reducing control.

During menopause, your body odor can change—and that's completely normal. Hot flashes and night sweats often cause you to sweat more. At the same time, the ratio of estrogen to testosterone changes, which can increase the bacteria responsible for sweat odor . A change in vaginal odor is also not uncommon during this time. Hormonal fluctuations affect the vaginal microbiome and can cause unusual odors.

The 34 symptoms of menopause are diverse. But no woman experiences them all; each woman navigates this time in her own unique way. Some experience only a few, barely noticeable changes, while others experience more intense phases. No matter what symptoms you experience, it's important to know that there are many ways to support your body.

Your body deserves support that's as unique as you are. Our specially developed drink is your faithful companion through this phase. It's perfectly tailored to your body's needs and helps you experience more energy, clarity, and balance – no matter what symptoms you're experiencing.

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