Surprising menopause symptoms


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It’s not just weight gain and hot flushes, menopause has a host of unusual symptoms, as Metropol deputy editor Tamara Pitelen knows only too well.

Hot flushes, weight gain and mood swings may steal the spotlight (got the t-shirt, ate the cookies…), yet menopause comes with a surprising array of lesser-known symptoms that can catch many women off guard, like they did with me (hello dry eyes, metallic taste, and insane new allergies…).

After experiencing unexpected symptoms myself, I went in search of more unusual changes that women may experience during this hormonal transition, as well as natural remedies that could help – although every woman is different so I recommend doing your own research.

Electric shock sensations: Some women report tingling or sudden, brief zapping sensations in their hands, feet, or limbs – a strange and sometimes unsettling symptom thought to be caused by shifts in the nervous system.
Natural remedies: Vitamin B12 (nerve protection), ashwagandha (helps regulate stress response), acupuncture to rebalance nervous energy.

Others experience burning mouth syndrome, where the tongue, lips, or gums feel scalded or tingling for no apparent reason. It is thought to be linked to estrogen’s role in maintaining oral nerve health and moisture.
Natural Remedies: Aloe vera juice (soothing and anti-inflammatory), baking soda rinse (neutralises mouth acids), avoid spicy or acidic foods, alpha-lipoic acid supplements (nerve-calming properties).

Dry, itchy eyes can become a problem in menopause because estrogen plays a role in tear production. As levels drop, eyes can become dry, gritty, itchy, or overly watery due to irritation.
Natural remedies: Rehydrate with eye drops, omega-3-rich fish oil supplements to nourish your eyes from the inside out.

A noticeable increase in bust size is also common. Known as the ‘matronly bosom’, many women are dismayed to find their breasts get a lot bigger as they go through menopause. The cause is hormonal shifts that cause body fat redistribution, so it becomes increasingly stored around your waist and bust.
Natural remedies: I wish I knew. Experts advocate a multi-pronged approach of hormonal balance, reducing stress and inflammation, avoiding sugars, ensuring adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, eating a rainbow of natural foods, getting plenty of sleep, weight-bearing movement, restoring gut health, supporting liver function… and the like.

Then there’s formication, the peculiar sensation of insects crawling on the skin. It’s linked to estrogen changes affecting sensory nerve endings.
Natural remedies: Evening primrose oil (supports skin and nerve health), cold compresses or oatmeal baths, limit stimulants like caffeine and sugar.

Some women even report a metallic taste in the mouth or sudden gum sensitivity, which can impact eating and oral health. Why? Hormonal shifts can affect your salivary glands and taste perception.
Natural Remedies: Lemon water (refreshes palate and saliva production), zinc supplements (supports taste and immune function), herbal rinses like sage or chamomile tea.

New allergies or sensitivities: Are you suddenly reacting to foods, perfumes, or environmental triggers that never bothered you before? I am. Estrogen plays a role in regulating immune response, so its decline may increase histamine activity or inflammation.
Natural Remedies: Quercetin (natural antihistamine), probiotics (support immune balance), nettle leaf tea (said to reduce allergic response).

These menopause symptoms are less discussed but not uncommon. Understanding the full scope of what menopause can bring helps demystify the experience and reminds women we’re not alone, even when our symptoms are a little unexpected. If you’re experiencing any of these unusual symptoms, they’re likely connected to hormonal shifts so working on hormone balance is key however it’s still worth consulting a healthcare provider to rule out other causes.

References: drbeckycampbell.com, hormonesbalance.com, erhassociates.co.nz, mymenopausetransformation.com


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