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I was thrilled to be featured in the press recently to discuss an essential but often misunderstood topic: the surprising and lesser-known symptoms of menopause.
Many women associate menopause with well-known signs like hot flushes and night sweats but as I shared in the article, there are many symptoms that often go unrecognised—and may even lead to misdiagnoses or unnecessary treatments.
Understanding these symptoms is essential for feeling more prepared and supported.
Despite greater awareness about menopause, so many women are caught off guard by symptoms that seem completely unrelated.
This lack of awareness can leave women feeling isolated, sometimes anxious, and, at worst, even feeling as though they're going through a health crisis.
Addressing these lesser-known symptoms openly can help all women navigate this stage of life more confidently and reduce the risk of unnecessary worry.
Contents
Menopause Isn’t Just About Hot Flushes
Hot flushes and night sweats are only part of the menopause story.
In reality, our hormones impact every aspect of our bodies—from our muscles and joints to our sensory experiences and mental health.
Without full knowledge of these potential symptoms, women can feel overwhelmed or believe something else is wrong, often leading to misdiagnoses.
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years, but the perimenopause beforehand initiates a significant hormonal rollercoaster ride.
Read more about the ages and stages of menopause in this blog
Estrogen, the hormone responsible for regulating many of our bodily functions, drops sharply during perimenopause.
This isn’t just a "hormone of reproduction"; estrogen influences everything from cognitive function to skin elasticity and bone density.
When estrogen levels shift, it’s natural for a range of bodily systems to respond, often in surprising ways.
Perimenopause can look different for each woman.
17 Strange Symptoms of Menopause Explained
Many symptoms of menopause are not only surprising but can also feel random or unrelated to hormonal changes.
Here’s a closer look at some of the stranger symptoms women may experience:
Electric Shock Sensations: A tingling or buzzing feeling that may come out of nowhere. This sensation, thought to be caused by fluctuating estrogen levels affecting nerve function, often takes women by surprise.
Heart Palpitations: Hormonal changes impact the cardiovascular system, sometimes making the heart feel as if it’s racing or fluttering without any physical exertion.
Metallic Taste: Shifts in estrogen can influence taste buds, leading to strange tastes—often metallic—that may seem more noticeable with certain foods.
Increased Anxiety (e.g., fear of driving): This can be particularly unsettling. Women often report heightened anxiety about activities they’ve done countless times before, like driving. Estrogen and progesterone impact our stress response, and without these hormones in balance, fear can arise unexpectedly.
Clumsiness: Drops in estrogen impact coordination for some women, making them feel more accident-prone.
Dizziness: Hormonal changes can disturb the vestibular system, resulting in balance issues or a sense of dizziness.
Muscle and Joint Pain: Estrogen helps keep inflammation in check, so without it, joint pain and stiffness can increase.
Formication (feeling of insects crawling on skin): This is a particularly uncomfortable symptom, as women may feel itchy or as though something is crawling on their skin, even when nothing is there.
Allergies/Hay Fever: Sensitivity to allergens can increase, even if you’ve never experienced allergies before.
Phantom Smells (often smoke or petrol): Known as "phantosmia," this strange symptom can feel disorienting, as women detect strong smells without any source.
Frozen Shoulder: Musculoskeletal pain, including issues like frozen shoulder, can become more common during menopause.
Hair Falling Out: Decreasing estrogen levels disrupt hair growth cycles, leading to more shedding and less regrowth.
Itchy Ears: Dryness isn’t limited to skin; ears can feel itchy or dry due to lower estrogen levels.
Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears may become more noticeable or worsen with hormonal changes.
Change in Body Odour: Hormones impact the bacteria on our skin, which in turn affects body odor. Some women notice a shift in their natural scent.
Noise Sensitivity: As hormone levels fluctuate, women can become more sensitive to loud sounds, which can feel overwhelming.
Plantar Fasciitis: This foot pain is commonly reported by menopausal women and may be tied to changes in body composition or increased inflammation.
By understanding these symptoms, women can better identify them for what they are—part of the menopause transition.
How to Recognise and Address Unusual Menopause Symptoms
Many of these strange menopause symptoms could be mistaken for other issues.
Heart palpitations for example are really alarming and can lead to a long series of tests.
While it’s imperative that you rule out serious issues, knowing menopause might be a cause can help steer treatment in the right direction.
Recognising that menopause could be the cause of these unusual symptoms is essential for proper care.
Many women go through exhaustive medical testing, seeking answers for symptoms that are often menopause-related.
To avoid unnecessary stress or procedures, it’s beneficial to keep a record of symptoms. This helps track patterns, which can be helpful when consulting with healthcare providers.
Read more about how to approach your doctor about the perimenopause on my blog (and even if you aren't in the UK I still think you will find this useful)
In addition to documenting symptoms, consider connecting with a menopause specialist.
Professionals trained in this area are more likely to understand how hormones impact everything from physical to emotional well-being.
The Importance of Menopause Awareness
Awareness of these symptoms can prevent unnecessary anxiety, reduce visits to specialists, and even avoid possible misdiagnoses like depression or generalised anxiety—all of which can mask the real cause and delay helpful treatments.
It’s easy to misinterpret these symptoms as signs of unrelated health issues.
Conditions like fibromyalgia, anxiety, or chronic fatigue can mimic menopausal symptoms and vice versa.
Increased awareness of menopause-related symptoms empowers women to discuss these changes with healthcare professionals, allowing for a more informed approach to diagnosis and treatment.
How to Find Support and Seek Treatment for Menopause
If these symptoms are affecting your life, reaching out to a menopause specialist or trained health professional can help ensure you’re getting the support you need.
As I shared in the article, too often women are dismissed, and their symptoms brushed off as ‘just ageing’—but that’s far from the full picture.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that disrupt daily life, consulting with a healthcare provider is critical.
Look for practitioners with specific training in menopause or women’s health, as they’re more likely to be familiar with this wide array of symptoms and offer guidance on managing them holistically.
Options may include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), dietary changes, exercise, and supplements targeted to specific symptoms.
Read more about HRT on my blog
Breaking the Silence on Lesser-Known Menopause Symptoms
The more we understand the effects of the menopause, the more empowered we feel to navigate it confidently.
I’m grateful for this chance to shed light on these under-discussed symptoms and encourage you to explore more in my featured article.
By speaking openly about these symptoms, we can reduce stigma and bring awareness to the broader range of menopause experiences.
Every woman’s experience is unique, and by sharing knowledge, we make it easier for everyone to feel understood and supported.
Read the Full Article & Connect
To learn more about these surprising symptoms, check out the full article HERE.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and would like some guidance, please reach out.
I offer affordable one-to-one menopause health sessions or a 12-week online programme.
I'm an affiliate member of The British Menopause Society and a member of The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine.
Find out more about my services at www.janemackaycoaching.com or contact Jane directly at jane@janemackaycoaching.com
DISCLAIMER: This page does not provide medical advice; it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice on any of the topics covered on this page.
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