Less common menopause symptoms often go unnoticed, yet they can be just as disruptive as the classic signs like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Many women are surprised to discover that menopause brings a much wider range of changes than they expect.
When most people think of menopause, hot flashes and night sweats are usually top of mind. But there’s a whole host of other, less commonly discussed symptoms that can significantly impact daily life during perimenopause and menopause. In her recent video, Dr. Beth Bartlett sheds light on these often-overlooked signs and highlights the crucial role of estrogen.
Watch Dr. Beth Bartlett’s video on less common menopause symptoms to gain insight into these hidden changes and learn how to better understand your hormonal health. Click here to watch or share on YouTube!
“Less Common Menopause Symptoms” Video Transcript:
So, here we are for another edition of On the Move with Dr. Beth. As promised, on this gorgeous Friday in September, we’re talking about some less common menopause and perimenopause symptoms.We’re all familiar with hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and the like, right? But there are some lesser-known symptoms. Sometimes you might get the creepy-crawly sensation, almost like parasites moving on your skin. That can actually be linked to a lack of estrogen.
Other symptoms include insomnia, ringing in the ears, mood swings, heart palpitations, frozen shoulder, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Remember, all of your hormones come from cholesterol—especially your sex hormones. So, as your hormones decrease and your ovaries stop producing estrogen, cholesterol can naturally increase. The body essentially says: “Hey, the ovaries aren’t producing estrogen. Let’s increase cholesterol to see if we can make more.”
There are many symptoms that come with outliving our reproductive years. We’ve talked before about how there are tons of estrogen receptors throughout the body, especially in the brain. Think about it this way: if your pancreas stops secreting insulin, you’re given insulin. If your thyroid stops secreting thyroid hormone, you’re given Synthroid or levothyroxine. But when your ovaries stop producing estrogen—what happens?
Not everyone is given estrogen or other hormones to help with that. Replacing what your body has stopped making can make sense, but other considerations matter too—like your age, your specific symptoms, and whether or not you have a uterus. These are all big factors to evaluate.
That’s why it’s important to ask questions and, in some cases, run testing. You don’t want to replace something that isn’t missing.
The Surprising Symptoms You Might Be Experiencing
Many women experience symptoms that seem unrelated to hormonal changes, yet are directly tied to declining estrogen levels. Dr. Bartlett highlights some of these less common, but impactful, symptoms:
- Creepy Crawlies: A sensation akin to parasites crawling on your skin can actually be a sign of low estrogen.
- Insomnia: Persistent sleep disturbances are a frequent complaint.
- Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus): Another lesser-known symptom linked to hormonal shifts.
- Mood Swings: Beyond typical PMS, these can be more pronounced and persistent.
- Heart Palpitations: A feeling of a racing or fluttering heart.
- Frozen Shoulder: This painful condition can also be connected to menopause.
- High Blood Pressure & High Cholesterol: Interestingly, as your ovaries produce less estrogen, your body may try to compensate by increasing cholesterol, as all sex hormones are derived from cholesterol.
Estrogen: The Unsung Hero
Dr. Bartlett eloquently draws a parallel: if your pancreas stops producing insulin, you’re given insulin. If your thyroid stops producing thyroid hormone, you’re given thyroid hormone. So, when your ovaries stop producing estrogen, why is it not always a given to replace this vital hormone?
Our bodies, particularly our brains, are rich in estrogen receptors. When estrogen levels decline, a wide array of functions can be disrupted, leading to the diverse symptoms discussed.
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Right for You?
The decision to consider hormone replacement is personal and depends on several factors, including your age, your specific symptom profile, and whether or not you have a uterus. Dr. Bartlett stresses the importance of thorough evaluation and testing. As she wisely states, “You don’t want to replace something that isn’t missing.” Understanding your unique hormonal landscape is key to determining the best course of action.
Take Control of Your Menopause Journey
Don’t let less common symptoms go undiscussed. Understanding the full spectrum of menopausal changes empowers you to advocate for your health and explore effective solutions. Contact Dr. Beth for an in-person or video conference consultation.
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