Unveiling the Hidden Symptoms of Menopause

A survey of 1,000 females who have yet to experience perimenopause or menopause found that 65 per cent don't feel prepared for it. While hot flushes and night sweats are well-known menopausal symptoms, as many as 94 per cent of those surveyed weren't aware that electric shock sensations could also be a sign. Similarly, 94 per cent didn't know that a burning mouth could be a symptom, and the same percentage were unaware of tinnitus (93 per cent) and body odour (86 per cent).

Effects of Menopause

Other lesser-known effects include dental problems (89 per cent), dry eyes (84 per cent), dry mouth (84 per cent) and heart palpitations (73 per cent).

Lack of Preparedness

An additional 1,000 females who have experienced menopause or are currently experiencing it were also surveyed - with 52 per cent admitting they didn't feel prepared for this stage of life. Perhaps this lack of preparation is evident in the fact that on average, they experienced menopausal symptoms for one year and one month before realizing they were going through it. In fact, 13 per cent didn't realize for two years or more.

The Importance of Education

According to Dr. Anne Henderson, a consultant gynecologist and menopause specialist: 'The menopause is a highly individual experience, yet far too many women still enter this stage of life feeling unprepared and unsupported.' She highlighted the varied effects of menopause, stating, 'From physical symptoms like hot flushes to emotional and cognitive changes, the impact can be wide-ranging.' Dr. Henderson emphasized the importance of access to reliable information, saying: 'It's vital that women have access to clear, credible and balanced information and feel empowered to not miss the signs and seek support should they need it.' She also stressed the need for education and open dialogue to enable women to make informed decisions and change the narrative around menopause.

Personal Experiences

Angela Cook, a 49-year-old psychologist from Banbury, Oxfordshire, shared her personal experience of going through menopause, revealing a lesser-known symptom - gum ache. She expressed her surprise, saying: 'I never had any tooth or gum problems before [the menopause] - dentists would tell me how healthy my teeth were.' The gum ache caused her significant pain and anxiety about eating certain foods.

Addressing the Taboo

A lack of knowledge and understanding about menopause appears to be a significant issue, with 52 per cent of research participants believing that more needs to be done to educate women on the topic. Additionally, 48 per cent think the wider public needs better education, and 35 per cent wish they had been taught about menopause during their education. Furthermore, 21 per cent of participants believe that menopause is still a taboo subject. A staggering 75 per cent of individuals who've experienced menopause have confessed to avoiding conversation about their symptoms with others.

Seeking Support

Hot flushes were reported by 63 per cent as the most common experience, followed by night sweats in 52 per cent of cases, according to the study conducted via OnePoll.com. Furthermore, the survey discovered that 46 per cent would be reluctant to discuss menopause with a pharmacist. Out of these, 30 per cent felt too embarrassed, whereas 26 per cent doubted the pharmacists' expertise on the topic. Meanwhile, 38 per cent showed a preference to seek advice from their GP instead. Daria Costantini, brand lead for CanesMeno which has initiated a training scheme to better inform Boots pharmacists about menopause symptoms along with a digital service that offers educational resources, commented: