Hot flashes warming your body, new sleep rhythms jolting you from your slumber, and floods of emotions at any given moment are key signs you’re in your biggest evolution yet. Here at Kindra, we feel that it’s important to dispel the mystique and myths surrounding this phase of life. There are 34 primary menopause symptoms, and while most women don’t experience every symptom, that is generally a whole lot of newness to figure out! Knowing what’s happening to your body is an important tool in feeling more control while you experience changes.

The 34 Signs of Menopause

1. Irregular Periods

Changes in your period first happen during perimenopause and are usually the first sign women notice that the menopause transition is happening. As a result, you may begin to feel your regular symptoms of PMS - fatigue, bloating, mood swings - minus the bleeding in early menopause. 

2. Hot Flashes

Regarded as one of the most common menopausal symptoms, hot flashes affect 75% of folks experiencing the shift. Tell-tale signs of a hot flash? A visible redness on the chest, neck, and face. You may feel very overheated and sweaty as well. Our Core Supplement is formulated with your hot flashes in mind. By managing your blood flow, Pycnogenol helps level out your body temperature and reduce hot flashes.

3. Fatigue

You’re tired. Who can blame you? After all, your body is managing the addition of many different symptoms. 

4. Joint Pain

Take a deep breath: This doesn’t necessarily equate to arthritis. Achey sensations, stiffness, and even swelling around the joint are all common signs of menopause joint pain. Try stacking your plate with anti-inflammatory foods like nuts, fatty fish, and blueberries. While you’re at it, try your best to avoid inflammatory foods like wine, salt, and cured meats.  

5. Headaches

Were you prone to headaches or even migraines during your period? Then, you may be prone to them during perimenopause and menopause. You’re not alone. 10% to 29% of women experiencing menopause also experience migraines. These pesky pangs can sometimes be offset by over-the-counter pain relievers. However, migraines can significantly affect your daily activities and often require a visit to your primary care doctor for further support. 

6. Vaginal Dryness

Dryness down there is a result of decreased estrogen levels (also known as oestrogen), as those rule your natural lubrication. Often beginning in perimenopause, vaginal dryness tends to become more prominent post-menopause, with 58% of post-menopausal women experiencing this. Such dryness may lead to decreased libido due to painful sex and overall discomfort and itching down there. Our Daily Vaginal Lotion is an estrogen-free, pH-balanced, gynecologically-tested formula full of nourishing botanical ingredients to soothe and nurture your most intimate area.

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7. Weight Gain

Hormonal shifts are the culprit for weight gain and shifts in body mass during menopause. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables coupled with exercising can help offset this symptom and keep you at a healthy BMI.

8. Bloating

Bloating might be one of the first signs you notice during menopause. If you’re still having periods but are feeling bloated throughout your entire cycle, that can signal menopause is on its way. 

9. Night Sweats

Night sweats are hot flashes that occur at night - usually while you are sleeping -  and accompany the menopause transition. Affecting about 75% of women experiencing menopause, they can jolt you out of your sleep or leave you feeling flustered, dehydrated, and not quite yourself when you wake up. The regulating botanical blend in our Core Supplement is designed to help you weather these hot moments and get the rest you need.

10. Breast Soreness

Tender breasts are a signal of hormonal changes and usually arise during your period, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. So simply put: Need for alarm here, just another sign of the times.

11. Anxiety

Anxiety can accompany those aforementioned mood swings. Our Core Supplement’s main squeeze ingredient Ashwagandha is clinically proven to help ease bouts of anxiety.

12. Decreased Libido

Speaking of decreased estrogen levels… They can also lead to decreased libido. Nourishing your body through this change and ensuring you have the support for your menopause signals may not prevent a decreased libido, but it can certainly make sex pleasurable for those times you are craving it. Our Core Supplement contains Ashwaganda which is a powerful adaptogen that boosts libido.

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13. Burning Mouth

This is one of those symptoms that often has folks scratching their heads and thinking, “Really?!” Really. Menopause can lead to less saliva in the mouth and thus results in ‘burning mouth syndrome.’ This feels like, well, a burning sensation throughout your lips, tongue, inside of your cheeks, throat and the roof of your mouth. 

14. Osteoporosis

Risk of osteoporosis shoots up during the big change thanks to bone density dropping by 20% in postmenopausal women. Offset this symptom by focusing on getting enough calcium in your diet as well as gravity resisted exercise like strength training which stimulates bone growth.

15. Digestive Problems

Stomach bloating, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, cramps, oh my! Changes in hormone levels can disrupt the digestive system -- one of the most sensitive systems in the body.

16. Disrupted Sleep

Menopause can affect sleep quality - from difficulty falling asleep to staying asleep. Calm your mind and unwind with Ashwagandha, a key ingredient in our Core Supplement. 

17. Electric Shocks

Fluctuating estrogen levels can cause some stress to the cardiovascular and nervous systems, resulting in these uncomfortable jolts. This one isn’t extremely common, but it does happen. As always, if the sensation persists, contact your primary care doctor. 

18. Gum Problems

So how do you know if you’re having gum problems? If you’re having a metallic taste in your mouth, you’re likely experiencing some issues with your gums. Affecting 10% to 40% of menopausal people, don’t hesitate to seek out your primary health-care doctor for more support on this symptom. 

19. Allergies

Fun fact: Hormones and your immune system are closely linked. Maybe you never sneezed when walking through the park before but now your allergies are in overdrive. Things that never irritated you before may be more annoying than ever. Fear not, this is just a side effect of your hormonal changes communicating with your immune system. This too shall pass.

20. Mood Swings

This particular combo of emotional highs and lows may present as an extreme version of your menstrual cycle mood swings. Affecting 27% of those experiencing menopause, it is a common though frustrating, signal of your evolution. Our Core Supplement packs a hefty dose of Ashwagandha, a botanical booster proven to help with anxiety, stress, and mood disturbances. 

21. Muscle Tension

Muscle strain irritating your body? This sensation is tied to the stress and anxiety that can present with the mood swings of menopause. It usually feels like tightness in the muscles. Try taking an Epsom salt bath to ease the strain. 

22. Tingling Extremities

Rare but certainly worthy of mention is the sensation of tingling throughout your hands, feet, arms, and legs. 

23. Itchy Skin

Decreased levels of estrogen can lead to decreased collagen levels. Collagen is a major key to keeping skin feeling comfortable, soft, and plump. With less collagen comes more dryness and irritation. It's key to keep moisturized!

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24. Hair Loss

The thinning of hair happens in later life to women during the average age menopause begins. Menopause sometimes accelerates this shift. 

25. Brittle Nails

Dehydration and decreased estrogen levels can lead to dry, brittle nails that break more easily. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and getting enough calcium, biotin, and omega-3’s in your diet to help offset this one!

26. Irritability 

Remember when we talked about PMS symptoms recurring during menopause? The same symptom déjà vu can happen with irritability. Fluctuating hormones can lead to frustration and irritability. Try our Core Supplement which contains potent adaptogen Ashwagandha which helps to ease your mind and mood.

27. Memory Lapses

These temporary lapses in cognitive function can also best be described as an offshoot of brain fog. The Core Supplement can help give you the mental clarity and memory boosts you need to feel like yourself again.

28. Depression

Fluctuations in hormone levels can increase depression. If you’re feeling depressed more often than not, speak to a trained mental health-care professional. 

29. Dizzy Spells

Once again, occasional dizzy spells are caused by changing estrogen levels.

30. Stress Incontinence 

This is a tricky one. Perhaps you’ve already experienced incontinence due to childbirth and are wondering why it is coming back around during your midlife years. The  medical jury is still out on this one. It is typically related to age, rather than menopause. The silver lining is that menopause usually doesn't worsen stress incontinence. 

31. Difficulty Concentrating

In the spirit of memory lapses comes difficulty concentrating, thanks to the lowered levels of estrogen.

32. Irregular Heartbeat

Decreased estrogen levels are to blame here (surprise surprise). These lowered estrogen levels can overstimulate the nervous and circulatory system. The effect is an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations. Be sure to communicate this one to your health-care provider if it persists.

33. Body Odor

Shifts in your hormones can lead to more sweat. Furthermore, this change in hormones can change your natural scent. 

34. Panic Attacks

Panic attacks can happen when experiencing intense anxiety. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a trained mental health professional.

These 34 symptoms can feel very overwhelming but rest assured that women typically don’t experience every single symptom. Throughout perimenopause and menopause, you may hear lots about HRT (hormone replacement therapy). While hormone therapy can help, it isn’t an option for everyone. Take a peek at our offerings to see how you can support your menopausal journey naturally. One of the best ways to ease into this next phase of your evolution is to cultivate community - join our Facebook group to connect with likeminded women who are also easing into their evolution. Connect here!

If you want personalized recommendations about the symptoms you’re currently experiencing and the phase of menopause you’re in, take our Hormone Assessment to learn more.

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