These are the signs and symptoms of perimenopause & menopause that might take you by surprise, from smelling differently to a sudden fear of driving...
Most of us are aware of the more common symptoms of menopause, think hot flushes and period changes, but there are some signs and symptoms that are a little less known.
Here, we speak to several women about their experience with menopause, plus various health experts, to explore some of the more surprising signs and symptoms and how best to manage these.
Driving anxiety
While most of us know anxiety can be a sign of the menopause, did you know some women experience crippling anxiety specifically around driving? Over the past year, Google searches for ‘menopause driving anxiety’ have increased by 200%*, with many women also taking to TikTok to share their stories of living with this anxiety.
“Anxiety is one of the more common symptoms and can be really debilitating,” says Dr Naomi Potter (@dr_naomipotter), founder of Menopause Care.
For Helen Gannon, 57, her anxiety around driving manifested in her mid-forties, when she was probably perimenopausal, although she didn’t realise it then. “I started to overthink every manoeuvre. Which way to turn the wheel when reversing became a mental block,” she says. Helen took refresher driving lessons, which helped, but she’s still not comfortable driving on motorways.
Other steps you can take include avoiding peak travel times, having a passenger with you and playing a calming playlist. Research suggests songs between 50 to 60 beats per minute (bpm) are the most calming**. Many 60bpm playlists can be found on Spotify.
“HRT and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might also help,” says Dr Potter.
Dry mouth
“Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is common in menopausal women, owing to the hormonal changes that take place during this stage of life,” says Dr Tom Crawford-Clarke, cosmetic dentist and founder of Luceo Dental.
“Oestrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the moisture levels of mucous membranes, including those in the mouth. As oestrogen levels drop during menopause, it can lead to a reduction in saliva production, causing dry mouth.”
Get the juices flowing again by sipping water throughout the day and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Dr Crawford-Clarke also recommends products like artificial saliva or mouth sprays to help maintain moisture in the mouth. You could try Biotène Dry Mouth Moisturising Mouthwash.
Above all, maintain good oral hygiene. “Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, spitting not rinsing out, and floss daily,” says Dr Crawford-Clarke. Finally, visit your dentist regularly to address any issues promptly.
Odour
On menopause forums, women are kicking up a stink about a bizarre side effect – that they smell different now. Complaints range from their ‘BO smelling like vinegar’ to how their once much-loved perfume now smells different on their skin.
“I feel like a stinky teenager again,” says Lyndsey, 48, “I’ve started showering twice a day as my sweat is getting much stronger.”
So, what’s going on? “Body odour is normal, but it can become more pronounced during the menopause,” says Dr Potter.
“The theory is that due to changing hormones, the normal bacteria that live on the skin change too. It is these changes (and their by-products) that cause the change in body odour.”
Look for a deodorant like Mitchum Women Pure Fresh Antiperspirant & Deodorant, and many beauty influencers swear by wiping The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Solution on their armpits before deodorant, while the Luna Daily The Everywhere Wash is for skin experiencing hormonal changes.
Thinning hair
Just when you’ve got a handle on hot flushes, along comes another sign that the menopause is no fun: hair loss or thinning. It’s usually caused by the body producing less oestrogen and progesterone^, but help is at hand.
“There are products specifically formulated to help with the appearance of hair thinning, so look for ones that include ingredients like caffeine and rosemary oil, such as Umberto Giannini Grow Tonic Transformative Treatment” says Live True London x Boots salon owner, Valerie Maine.
You can also disguise thinning hair by using a root shadow, such as Color Wow Root Cover Up. And she advises not to brush hair excessively as this can weaken strands. Also, use a hairbrush designed for gentle styling, such as Denman Vent Brush.
Tinnitus
“Declining levels of oestrogen and progesterone may play a role in tinnitus developing in menopause,” says Sophy Magee, audiologist at Boots Hearingcare.
How to quash the noise? Strategies to manage it include CBT and sound therapy. “Your healthcare provider can point you in the right direction,” says Sophy.
“Due to the age women experience menopause there may be other conditions like hearing loss, so it’s important to have a regular hearing check.”
Brittle nails
The menopause affects our entire bodies, right down to our nails. “Nails are similar to skin in that they can become more dry in perimenopause, making them more brittle and easily broken,” says Dr Potter.
Itchy skin
Feeling the itch? “During menopause, skin quality changes and it becomes drier – and dry skin can be itchy” says Dr Potter.
Swap your usual moisturiser for a thicker emollient, like Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream, which soothes and helps protect very dry, itchy skin.
“Allergies also become more common in perimenopause and this can cause itchy skin, too,” adds Dr Potter. Have a chat with your GP or local pharmacist who can advise on what may help with allergy symptoms.
What it’s like to go through medically induced menopause
“Medically induced menopause occurs faster than natural, and usually causes more severe symptoms,” explains Dr Hannah Tharmalingam, national clinical advisor for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“With the shock of a cancer diagnosis, menopause is often an afterthought. And HRT isn’t an option for many women due to the nature of their cancer. Young patients often find themselves trying to cope with the impact on fertility, relationships and sexual health. Many may be cured of their cancer, but feel forced to suffer in silence, simply grateful not to have the disease anymore.”
Writer Rosamund Dean experienced this. “After my breast cancer diagnosis aged 40, reading the chemo consent form was a blur. It did mention my ‘periods might stop’, but I was more concerned about losing my hair and libido,” she says.
“It turns out chemo side effects can be similar to menopause ones. Thank goodness for the support I got from the breast cancer community. I learned how nutrition and exercise can help and that vaginal oestrogen may still be appropriate for many women after breast cancer (and really does put the party back in your pants!). Now, post-menopausal at 43, I feel as fit, happy and sexy as I did 10 years ago.”
Lucy Sims had chemo for hormone-positive breast cancer aged 36, and felt for a long time that her womanhood had been taken from her. “Having zero hormones meant zero libido. I felt like an alien. I could remember what it felt like to have desire, but it wasn’t something that entered my mind anymore. After a lot of research and the support of Dani Binnington at Menopause and Cancer, I started testosterone treatment and some of my more severe symptoms improved. My dry, sore eyelids and nostrils healed, and within a month, while I can’t say I was jumping all over my husband, I was more open to the idea of intimacy.”
For more information on menopause and cancer, visit menopauseandcancer.org for free resources and practical support and listen to The Menopause and Cancer podcast.
Macmillan.org.uk can also help. Find support at community.macmillan.org.uk or contact the Macmillan support line on 0808 808 00 00.
If you have any health concerns, or would like to rule out any underlying health conditions, see your GP.
