According to Healthline, the average woman will enter menopause at around age 51. You're beginning to show all the usual symptoms, including an end to that nagging period, hot flashes, night sweats and all the other signs you and your girlfriends have discussed over endless cups of coffee. However, if you're in the throes of menopause, you might be experiencing some symptoms that don't seem normal, and may even be scary. Here are a 3 surprising and unexpected symptoms that you might experience during menopause:
Heart Palpitations and Higher Cholesterol
The hormonal ups and downs associated with menopause are typically the culprit for most of your symptoms, including those infamous hot flashes. However, what you might not realize is that your new hormonal imbalance can actually lead to two pretty scary heart-related issues: palpitations and high cholesterol.
If you notice your heart is fluttering for a few seconds every day, there is no cause for concerns. Hormonal surges can lead to minor heart palpitations that won't interrupt your daily life. However, if you notice the palpitations are accompanied by trouble breathing and the feeling like you're going to faint, the problem could be more serious. In this case, it's best to speak with your doctor.
In addition to minor heart palpitations, you might get some bad news at your next check-up: a higher level of "bad" cholesterol. This is because amongst its many other functions, estrogen also helps keep your LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels in check. As your estrogen levels fall during menopause, so does the hormone's positive impact on your cholesterol levels.
If you notice an increase in your LDL levels, your doctor will provide you with several tips to improve your score. This includes eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise.
Your Hair Can Get Thinner and Even Fall Out
If you've ever been pregnant, you might have noticed that during those nine months your hair seemed shiner, fuller and just plain amazing! Your lustrous locks were actually caused by a rise in your hormone levels. Unfortunately, these same hormones that gave your envious hair during pregnancy will actually be the reason why during menopause your hair might begin to thin, or even fall out.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to combat this issue. As you enter menopause, start paying close attention to your hair. If you notice any thinning or hair loss, don't hesitate to contact your doctor, someone at a place likeBay Area Women's Care, right away. There are several options available that can help prevent further hair loss, and even help you grow back the hair you lost.
Options include hormone replacement therapy, supplements and prescription or over-the-counter shampoos and medications.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Finally, although it's not common, there is one more symptoms associated with menopause that can be downright uncomfortable and life-altering: burning mouth syndrome. As the name suggests, patients suffering with burning mouth syndrome experience an uncomfortable, stinging sensation in their mouth. Additionally, if you have burning mouth syndrome, you may also experience dry mouth, a weird metallic taste or a loss of taste all together.
Once again, burning mouth syndrome is caused by the hormonal fluctuations that occur during menopause. Unfortunately, there is no cure for burning mouth syndrome, but there are several treatment options available. These include avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, drinking plenty of water, oral rehydration solutions, and avoiding spicy foods or any other meals that can irritate your mouth.
For many women, the symptoms of menopause are unexpected and seem to change constantly. If you are experiencing any menopause-associated symptoms that simply don't seem normal or are interfering with your everyday life, don't hesitate to contact your doctor right away.
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