5 Unexpected (and lesser known) symptoms of menopause

For many of us, we start experiencing some of these symptoms and don't connect it with the onset of perimenopause - and no doubt start googling like crazy, to find out what's causing our ailment. But no, you aren't going mad, or have bugs in your ears and electric running through your body!

Here we have five lesser known (and rarely discussed) symptoms of menopause that will no doubt be familiar...

1. Your ears are suddenly INCREDIBLY itchy

Many of us might be surprised to learn that itchy inner ears can be a symptom of menopause. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline in oestrogen, affect the skin throughout our bodies, including the delicate tissue inside our ears. Oestrogen plays a role in maintaining skin hydration and elasticity, and as levels drop, the skin may become drier and more irritated.

The skin inside our ears can become dry and lose its natural oils, leading to a persistent itch. While it might seem odd, this can be quite an irritating symptom for some of us. The inner ear is lined with sensitive skin and mucous membranes, and without enough oestrogen, these areas can become less resilient. This can result in an itch that’s difficult to soothe, as it's not easily accessible like the skin on other parts of the body.

A drop in oestrogen can also affect the production of earwax, which normally helps keep the ear canal moisturised. When there’s less earwax, the dryness can lead to an uncomfortable itchiness. Keeping the ears hydrated with moisturising ear drops can help ease this sensation.

2. You start leaking pee and urgently dashing to the loo

Bladder leaks, urgency and incontinence can become an issue during menopause, and we don't talk enough about how common it is for women to experience less bladder control as we age. It’s a common experience for many of us and linked to the drop in oestrogen levels. Oestrogen helps maintain the strength and elasticity of the tissues in the pelvic area, including the bladder and urethra.

As oestrogen declines, the muscles and tissues supporting the bladder and urethra may weaken, making it harder to control the flow of our pee. This can lead to stress incontinence, where we might leak pee when we laugh, sneeze, or exercise. Oestrogen also influences blood flow to the urethra and helps maintain its lining. When levels decrease, this lining becomes thinner, contributing to bladder leaks.

Additionally, some of us may experience urge incontinence, which is the sudden and intense need to urinate, even when the bladder isn’t full. This is believed to be linked to changes in the nervous system and how it communicates with the bladder. As hormones fluctuate, the signals between the brain and bladder can become misaligned, leading to these sudden urges.

3. You start giving everyone around you electric shocks and have prickly skin

Another surprising symptom of menopause is tingling, prickly skin sensations, and even what some describe as electric shocks. These sensations, known as paresthesia, are linked to the role oestrogen plays in our nervous system. Oestrogen helps regulate the function of nerves and neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in our brain.

As oestrogen levels drop, it can lead to misfiring of nerves, resulting in these unusual sensations. The tingling and prickling can occur anywhere on the body, although it’s most common in the hands, feet, arms, and legs. Some of us may also experience an unsettling electric shock feeling, often described as a brief jolt, which can happen just before a hot flush.

These sensations occur because oestrogen helps protect nerve function. Without its stabilising influence, our nerves may become more sensitive or prone to firing erratically, leading to uncomfortable prickling, tingling, or shocks. While these symptoms are harmless, they can be alarming if we’re not expecting them. Managing stress and getting adequate sleep can help to calm the nervous system, making these symptoms less frequent.

4. You start to... stink

Changes in body odour during menopause can be another surprising symptom, and they’re often linked to hormonal fluctuations that affect our sweat glands. As oestrogen levels decline, the body attempts to regulate its temperature in different ways, often resulting in more frequent sweating, particularly during hot flushes. This increase in sweating can sometimes lead to a noticeable change in body odour.

Our sweat itself doesn’t have a strong smell; it’s the bacteria on the skin that interact with the sweat to produce an odour. During menopause, not only might we sweat more, but the composition of our sweat can change as well. This shift can make body odour more pungent than before.

Oestrogen also helps regulate our metabolism and how the body processes fats, proteins, and other nutrients. As our metabolism adjusts to the lower hormone levels, this can affect our body chemistry, including the way we smell. Some of us may find that our usual deodorants no longer work as well, and switching to a different type or strength can help manage this symptom.

5. Your tongue feels like it's on FIRE

Burning tongue syndrome, also known as burning mouth syndrome, is a condition that causes a burning sensation on the tongue, lips, gums, or even the roof of the mouth. It’s a lesser-known symptom of menopause but can be uncomfortable and even painful as it feels like the mouth and tongue have been scalded by hot food or drink, even though nothing has caused the burn.

Burning tongue/ mouth is thought to be caused by the decline in oestrogen levels, which affect how our body processes pain and sensory signals. Oestrogen plays a role in maintaining the health of our mucous membranes, including those in the mouth. As these membranes become thinner and drier during menopause, it can lead to increased sensitivity and a burning feeling.

Oestrogen also influences the function of taste buds and salivary glands. When these glands produce less saliva, the mouth can feel dry, which may exacerbate the burning sensation. Some researchers also believe that burning tongue syndrome may be related to changes in nerve function caused by fluctuating hormones, similar to the tingling and electric shocks experienced in other parts of the body.

The lack of saliva and changes in the mouth's pH balance during menopause can contribute to this condition, as saliva helps neutralise acids in the mouth. Staying hydrated and using saliva substitutes can help alleviate the symptoms.

Have you experienced any of these lesser-known symptoms of menopause? Share with us in our community, Jude and Friends, on Facebook.

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