You might think that hot flashes are the main symptom of menopause and you might have prepared for them as well. But menopause brings with it lots of little surprises that leave you wondering why your body feels so different in so many little ways.
The truth is that menopause can affect everything from energy levels to cognitive health and even how your skin, nails and hair look and feel. But most people attribute these changes to aging. Most of the time, it is due to the hormonal changes that are common in menopause.
Today, we take a look at some symptoms that are actually caused by dwindling estrogen levels and aren’t just due to aging.
Your Skin, Hair and Nails Look and Feel Different
Estrogen plays a crucial role in how the skin functions, and when this hormone starts declining, the skin starts looking drier, less elastic and dehydrated. Some even feel that their skin looks thinner and is more sensitive than before. Facial hair growth, acne and uneven pigmentation are also pretty common.
Less elasticity and dehydration in the skin can also lead to sagging skin. Your hair might also feel drier and more brittle than before and you might also experience hair shedding and hair loss. Nails become more fragile too.
But there’s a way to retain your skin’s glow.
With a good skin and hair care routine and some lifestyle adjustments, these changes can be managed. Getting good quality sleep and eating a nutritious diet can work wonders for your skin, hair and nail health. Moreover, investing in a good body treatment is highly recommended.
Alloy Health offers a body treatment enriched with peptides and estriol that promise to hydrate and firm up the skin. Alloy’s new body cream for aging skin can help you feel confident in your skin once again.
Brain Fog
Ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there in the first place? During menopause, such experiences become extremely common. This is known as ‘brain fog’ and often affects memory, focus and concentration. As estrogen levels decline, the brain’s ability to process information and regulate emotions also takes a hit. As a result, you might experience forgetfulness, have trouble multitasking or even finding the right words. On top of this, poor sleep due to night sweats and constant hormonal fluctuations can make these symptoms worse. Although this can feel alarming, it’s temporary and does not mean permanent memory loss.
So does this mean you don’t have to do anything about it?
Well, you do need to consume a diet high in healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants to give your brain health a boost. Moreover, mental exercises, mindfulness and staying socially active can all help improve cognitive well-being.
Feeling Tired All the Time
Even if you get a full night’s sleep (which, to be honest, is quite rare in menopause without the right measures), you might still wake up feeling tired and drained. Fatigue is an extremely common symptom of menopause but it’s often chalked up to ‘normal again’. Hormonal changes, night sweats, poor sleep, stress and anxiety during menopause can all lead to feelings of exhaustion. In fact, 85% of women report feeling mentally and physically exhausted in this new phase of life.
It is also suspected that female sex hormones ‘estrogen’ and ‘progesterone’ may help protect women from sleep apnea. This is a condition where oxygen deprivation may cause one to wake up multiple times at night. With fluctuating hormone levels, there is a higher risk of developing sleep apnea and this, as a result, affects sleep quality.
You might also have trouble concentrating, experience low motivation and mood swings and even have a lack of physical stamina. Luckily, menopause related fatigue can be managed with the right measures.
Exercising regularly, eating a balanced and healthy diet, managing stress and sleeping well can all help you feel more rested and improve mental clarity too.
Aching and Stiff Joints in the Morning
Many women are surprised to notice painful and stiff joints in the morning and this makes movement a struggle. This usually happens due to declining estrogen levels which can increase inflammation in the body. Estrogen is also responsible for synovial fluid production. As a result, keeping the joints flexible and lubricated becomes quite a challenge. You might feel stiffness in your shoulders, the knees, your hands and even in the hips.
Poor sleep, stress and fatigue can make this symptom worse.
But there are a few ways to make this condition more bearable. Low-impact exercises like swimming, walking and yoga can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and healthy fats can also improve joint health.
Heart Palpitations Have Become a Common Occurrence
A racing heart can feel frightening, especially if it happens out of nowhere. Heart palpitations are pretty common in menopause and they often manifest as fluttering, pounding, skipping or rapid heartbeats. This symptom too is linked to declining estrogen levels as it directly affects the nervous system and the way the heart regulates its rhythm. Anxiety, hot flashes and excessive caffeine can also worsen these symptoms. Although these palpitations are pretty harmless, they should be evaluated by a medical professional if they persist or increase in frequency. This is to rule out any underlying heart health condition.
If you wish to ease these symptoms, which you surely want to, try limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, managing stress and exercising regularly. Practicing relaxation techniques can also help improve overall wellbeing.
These not-so-commonly talked about symptoms might make you feel like menopause will change your life in an unimaginable way. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Sure, brain fog, heart palpitations, aching joints and fatigue are quite concerning, but with the right tools, medical guidance and a consistently healthy lifestyle, you can make things work for yourself. Many of the symptoms we just discussed are dismissed as part of the aging process but understanding the link between these symptoms and what causes them is the first step toward managing them successfully.
So educate yourself about what menopause is, what it means for your mental, physical and emotional health and what you can do to keep things under control. Next take action to remedy these symptoms. For instance, regular workouts, a nutritious diet, proper stress management and a consistent bedtime routine can all work together in supporting you through this phase in life.
