Could it be menopause? Five common symptoms and how to treat them

To celebrate the launch of Beauty Pie She's Back Menopause Support*, Beauty Pie has partnered with online menopause clinic Stella to help you learn more about menopause and explore the best treatment options. Beauty Pie members get an exclusive 25% off Stella’s clinical care, including an online doctor’s appointment and three months of HRT, if right for you, shipped to your door. Click here to find out more and claim your discount.

Here, Dr Rachel Hines, Clinical Director of Menopause Services at Stella, shares the most common symptoms of menopause as well as how to treat them...

Forgetting words? Hair falling out? Itching all over? Or maybe you’re just feeling a little… off? Perimenopause and menopause can be hard to put your finger on – especially when you’re in the middle of it. Many people struggle for weeks, months and even years before getting a diagnosis and the treatment they need and deserve. Taking your symptoms seriously is the first step to feeling better.

Menopause symptoms explained

Your body makes less of certain hormones during menopause, such as oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormonal changes may mean you start experiencing various symptoms and no longer feel like your usual self.

Menopause is tricky to pinpoint because there are more than 30 different symptoms and no menopause experience is the same. Symptoms can start suddenly and feel unbearable, or be relatively mild and come and go, leaving you more than a little confused…

Menopause education is everything. Understanding how menopause may affect your mind and body helps you recognise when to get help. Effective treatment is out there and there are lots of options to choose from.

Five common menopause symptoms and how to treat them

Difficulty sleeping

Sleep issues are among the most frustrating menopause symptoms. Nearly half of women have them. Some find themselves tossing and turning in the dead of the night, while others wake in the early hours and find themselves wide awake, but exhausted. Lack of sleep can make other symptoms like anxiety and brain fog worse too, so treatment can be life-changing. 

Don’t underestimate the power of building healthy habits. Your body is changing, so it makes sense that the same way of life may no longer cut it. Regular sleep and wake times and a calming sleep environment can help. Smoking and drinking too much alcohol can make sleep worse, but daily movement and a balanced diet can help. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is also known to improve sleep – speak to a doctor about your personal treatment options, as HRT is not right for everyone.

Read more about what helps sleep difficulties.

Hair loss

Thinning hair can be distressing. It’s unfortunately very common during menopause, but can begin even earlier – 10%¹ of people experience hair loss before the age of 40. Hormonal changes are thought to be to blame, with reduced oestrogen levels taking a toll on the strength and quality of your hair. 

Rethink how you care for your hair, as this can help reduce hair loss. Try a gentle hairbrush, use a silk pillow at night and put your hairdryer on a cooler setting as much as possible. People often notice an improvement in their hair after starting HRT, as increasing your oestrogen levels can restore premenopausal hair growth.

Read more about how to cope with thinning hair.

Skin changes

Most people experience skin changes during menopause, ranging from loss of elasticity and skin sensitivity to dryness and itching. Managing hot flushes and night sweats can help reduce itchy episodes, which are often triggered by sudden temperature changes. HRT is used to treat flushes and sweats and it has been shown to reduce the skin changes associated with menopause and ageing. However, HRT is not prescribed purely for skin changes – think of an improved complexion as a welcome side effect!

Thinking about what you eat and drink can help manage some of these skin problems, as can revamping your skincare routine. If you are undergoing HRT, always consult with your doctor before trying new products and don’t be disheartened if it takes a little trial and error to find the products that work best for you.

Read more about skin changes.

Brain fog

Memory, focus and concentration can all take a turn for the worse during menopause. Research shows that brain fog affects people most during perimenopause and within the first year after your periods stop². It can be embarrassing, infuriating and distressing and lead to loss of self-confidence. 

Managing stress, moving more and eating well can boost your brain health now and in later life. Try foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish and flaxseeds. And most importantly, don’t struggle in silence. Ask your doctor if HRT could help you. It may improve your brain fog if it is being made worse by other symptoms, such as low mood, hot flushes and poor sleep. 

Read more about brain fog.

Vaginal dryness

Vaginal dryness during menopause doesn’t get the air time it deserves – as many as half of women³ are thought to experience menopause-related vaginal symptoms. Your vagina may feel uncomfortable, itchy and irritated day-to-day and this can make sex less enjoyable and appealing. But you don’t have to put up with it! 

Vaginal oestrogen is a low-risk form of HRT that is suitable for most people. It effectively relieves genital and urinary symptoms of menopause including vaginal tightness, dryness, pain during sex, frequent urination and recurrent urinary infections. Vaginal discomfort can continue for decades after other menopause symptoms have faded away, so there’s lots to gain from finding the right treatment for you. Non-hormonal help comes in the form of vaginal moisturisers and/or pH-balanced lubricants.

Read more about vaginal discomfort.