Menopause Symptoms: How to Differentiate Between Normal and Concerning

Have you ever found yourself falling down a late-night Google rabbit hole of menopause symptoms, trying with all of your might to understand what’s ‘normal’ and what is cause for concern? Have you found the results have only confused you more?

One factor that can make it all the more difficult to navigate menopause is the reality that no two women will share the same experience. From the age when menopause begins, through to the kinds of symptoms that are experienced daily, every menopause experience can drastically differ from the next. 

On a day-to-day basis, that means it’s challenging to look for a benchmark when it comes to understanding whether the symptoms you’re experiencing are just a part of this new package, or whether it’s time to speak with a healthcare professional as a result of unusual symptoms.

While we can’t solve your Google dilemmas for you, we can provide resources, education, and awareness about what to expect. We’re investigating the tools that can help us to differentiate between normal and concerning menopause symptoms. Bookmark this page – you may find you need to return to it repeatedly!

What kind of menopause symptoms can we expect?

Of course, before we dig into just where our symptoms sit on an average scale, it’s also important to understand the wide range of varying menopause symptoms we might experience. Common menopause symptoms can include:

• Hot flushes and night sweats. That sudden, dramatic feeling of overheating? Welcome to menopause’s most well-known symptom. These symptoms are the body’s natural response to decreasing oestrogen levels.
• Fluctuating, irregular periods. One of the most common signs women have that menopause is upon them is fluctuations in their periods. If you’re suddenly noticing shifts in when your period’s taking place, it’s time to talk to your healthcare team about what’s happening.
• Mood swings. Are you suddenly finding yourself more frustrated, easily irritable, sad, or anxious? Menopause may be the culprit.
• Vaginal dryness. As our bodies decrease their levels of natural hormone production, vaginal dryness can increase. For many women, this can lead to discomfort during intercourse that can require additional support.
• Issues with sleep patterns. Are you yearning for the days of peaceful sleep? If you’re struggling to stay or fall asleep, this can also be traced back to internal menopausal changes.

So what’s ‘normal’ when it comes to menopausal symptoms?

It’s so important to remember that your experience with menopausal symptoms is highly personal. What might seem insignificant to others could necessitate seeking external support for your own symptom management.

With that in mind, here’s some useful context that can be helpful when it comes to gauging your ongoing symptoms and monitoring for important health clues.

Severe mood changes

Mood swings can be typical throughout menopause – but severe depression or anxiety is far from standard. If you’re noting severe, sudden, or out-of-character mood changes, it’s important to speak with your healthcare team, who can assess whether you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms or something else entirely.

Heavy bleeding or spotting

Menopause itself is defined as 12 consistent months without a period, so if any bleeding or spotting happens after this takes place, this can be pointing to something that requires further attention. 

Persistent (or intense) pain

Discomfort during menopause, yes – persistent or intense; pain, not so much. If you experience any pain that’s localised to a specific area, you’ll need the support of your medical team to understand what’s going on. 

Significant, excessive fatigue

Changes in sleep patterns may impact your energy levels overall, but this doesn’t mean every woman in menopause is walking around in constant exhaustion. Experiences of overwhelming fatigue should be prioritised with your healthcare provider. 

Rapid heart rates

While some women may experience occasional heart palpitations throughout menopause, it’s irregular for a consistently rapid heartbeat or palpitations to point to menopausal symptoms. If you experience these, seek urgent care – especially if it’s accompanied by chest pain or any sense of dizziness.

Find the guidance and treatment options you need to navigate menopause with confidence. Contact the Australian Menopause Centre for expert care in every surprise menopause brings your way.

Where can you find support throughout menopause?

The internet can be a powerful tool, but it can’t safely provide the physical, mental, and emotional support you need throughout menopause. Rather than relegating your symptom care to Google searches, it’s crucial that you build a healthcare team who know you, understand your health history, and who can provide empowered support as you move through each of menopause’s significant changes. 

Along with working with dedicated healthcare practitioners who are experts in their fields, you can give yourself significant support through:

• Building your education. The more you can learn about menopause, the more you can prepare for the rapid and individual experiences ahead. Look for trustworthy and authoritative sources that can help you to proactively build your menopause understanding.
• Extending your support network. Do you have close friends or family members who can support you throughout this season? Is it time to seek a menopause support group? Too many women experience menopause alone. By building a safe support network, you can increase your resources when it comes to challenging menopause experiences.
• Prioritising your needs. A balanced diet, staying active, keeping sleep as your number one priority, and finding ways to relieve stress – they’re all what the doctor ordered. Attending to your needs throughout menopause is one of the most crucial habits you can build, giving yourself the foundation you need for fluctuating days ahead.

Conclusion

At the Australian Menopause Centre, we provide Australian women with holistic care in every stage of their menopause experience. This care includes customised treatment plans that are personalised to your individual needs. Struggling with abnormal symptoms, or uncertainty in what to expect from your menopause progression? Reach out to our friendly, expert team to find the quality of care you can rely on – no matter your personal circumstances, your health is always our priority.