The 17 bizarre symptoms of menopause, from heel pain to ‘phantom odors’ and fear of driving

HEEL pain, phantom odors and fear of driving are just some of the more niche and bizarre symptoms caused by menopause, says a specialist.

Although there are up to 48 symptoms of menopausemany women are not even aware of the most important ones.

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Therefore, it is unlikely that they will be familiar with it symptoms like clumsiness or itchy ears that indicate they’re going through ‘the change’ – and maybe they are being misdiagnosed whole.

But Jane Mackaya Women’s Wellness and Menopause Coach from Sheffield, says: “From coaching my clients and the messages I received from my social media followers, the same symptoms kept coming up, often not the symptoms we would immediately associate with menopause .

“These were often symptoms that these women had never experienced before and many developed very suddenly in their late 30s and early 40s, including myself.”

Other symptoms Jane has noticed include the feeling of insects crawling on the skin (formication), smelling of gasoline or smoke when there is none, and a change in body odor.

Menopause is when a woman has not had a period for a year. The time preceding this – up to ten years – is mentioned perimenopause.

Symptoms occur both during perimenopause and after menopause, but the severity and frequency vary widely among women.

Jane says: “Our hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone are ‘chemical messengers’ that enter our bloodstream and travel throughout our body.

“The wide range of symptoms women experience is due to the fluctuating or low hormone levels that occur during perimenopause and menopause, which affect our entire body. It’s no wonder so many women are struggling.

“A lot of the conversation around menopause is always about it hot flashes And night sweats.

“But there are so many other physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms that aren’t really talked about and therefore go unrecognized.”

The problem is that many women may be misdiagnosed, or perhaps their problem may be unrelated to menopause, leaving them without further treatment or support for menopause.

Jane says: “I also get so many messages from women being dismissed by their GP.

“What I hear a lot is that women in perimenopause or menopause are told that their symptoms are simply part of aging or something they ‘just have to deal with.’

“The women I speak to are routinely offered and prescribed antidepressants and painkillers without HST is even being considered (including me!)

I am shocked by how many perimenopausal or menopausal women have told me that they have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia

Jane Mackay Wellbeing and menopause coach for women

“Depression can be a common misdiagnosis, as perimenopausal and menopausal women often visit their doctors feeling frustrated, depressed and tearful due to their symptoms and low hormone levels.

“I am shocked by how many women in perimenopause or menopause have told me that they have been diagnosed with it fibromyalgia and taking strong painkillers or antidepressants for a long time.”

Fibromyalgia is a condition that is more common in women than men and develops between the ages of 25 and 55.

It causes pain all over the body: muscle stiffness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, headaches, digestive problems, feelings of frustration, worry or a bad mood.

“Many of these symptoms may be related to low hormone levels in perimenopause and menopause,” says Jane.

Awareness of menopause is greater than ever, thanks to campaigns such as Fantastic menopause is important.

However, there is still work to be done.

This is evident from a study conducted by Holland & BarrettSeven in ten women with menopausal symptoms delay seeking support or advice from a trained professional, or do not seek help at all.

One in four of those who procrastinate (25 percent) claimed they ‘don’t want to waste the time’ with their GP or local healthcare provider.

And women are still resigned to the idea that menopause is “a normal part of growing older” (41 percent).

While it’s a normal part of growing older – with the average age of menopause reaching 51 – it doesn’t mean women should suffer in silence.

Jane says: “I would ALWAYS advise seeing your GP if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they have a significant impact on daily life, are persistent or are accompanied by other worrying symptoms.

“A GP can help rule out other conditions, provide appropriate treatments and provide peace of mind.”