The menopause is when a woman stops having her periods and is no longer able to become pregnant naturally.
According to the NHS it usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years when oestrogen levels decline.
Around this time periods will start to become less frequent, or in some cases they can stop suddenly.
The most well known signs of the menopause are hot flushes and night sweats.
Up to 75 per cent of women suffer from the latter, according to Jane Hallam, founder of Esteem – No Pause, a loungewear, nightwear and lingerie brand for women suffering from night sweats and hot flushes.
“However, there are other symptoms,” she said.
“Though women are typically in tune with their own bodies, certain signs can be missed or simply dismissed as just unusual ailments, therefore it’s important to understand even the less common signs of menopausal changes.”
Here are seven signs you may not know.
Hair loss
“During the menopause the body’s hormones change, which often results in a lower production of oestrogen and progesterone, which help strengthen and grow hair,” said Hallam.
“As production of these decrease, women will often experience hair loss or thinning of the hair.”
Allergies
“As women approach the menopause and hormonal changes begin, the immune system also experiences a change,” she explained.
“This can lead to more sensitivity towards allergies that may have previously gone unnoticed earlier on in life.”
Brittle nails
“Fluctuating oestrogen levels during the menopause are linked to brittle nails impacting the strength and appearance of nail,” she said.
Changes in body odour
“As a result of hot flushes and night sweats the sweat glands are over worked during the menopause and this can lead to a change in the body odour the sweat glands are producing,” warned Hallam.
Burning tongue
“This is one of the lesser known side effects, which is brought on as a result of the hormonal imbalance,” she said.
“A burning tongue is often felt as a dry, itchy mouth, a metallic taste or numb sensation in the mouth.”
Electric shock sensations
“A drop in oestrogen levels directly impacts the nervous system, which can trigger electric shock sensations in the head and inner layers of the skin and often occur just before a hot flush,” said Hallam.
Tingling extremities
“Women going through the menopause may experience a tingling sensation in the hands, feet, legs and arms as a result of the hormonal fluctuations, which can cause discomfort,” she said.
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