Understanding the 30 plus symptoms of the Menopause could be one of the greatest feminist acts of our time

It may not have the same ring to it as burning a bra. But I believe it’s up there.  

The difference between knowing or not knowing about the menopause and its far reaching symptoms is perhaps the greatest difference between a healthy, thriving, working midlife female demographic, and not.   

My experience working with female leaders is that most people, even those who have been paying pretty close attention to conversations about the menopause can only name about half a dozen associated symptoms. 

And that’s a good start. They may list hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods, brain fog, joint pain and insomnia.  

If you’re reading this article and are familiar with these symptoms, that’s a big step in the right direction compared to what most of us knew a few years ago. Until that point, we might have got the first three…perhaps.  

This list of six of the most familiar symptoms is really important to know. Just one or two of the symptoms displaying together, can rapidly debilitate our lives..  

Acute brain fog and insomnia can significantly undermine your ability to work, parent, or hold down key relationships and function well as a human being. Anyone familiar with the phenomenal work of Dr Louise Newson and her podcast interviewing experts and midlife women, or has seen Kate Muir and Davina McCall’s documentaries, will know how quickly menopausal symptoms can unravel lives, especially when proper intervention and support  isn’t sought in time. 

And yet when the more familiar menopausal symptoms present, perimenopausal or menopausal women often begin their journey with their GP who will start by taking blood to check for hormone levels before considering prescribing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).  This is despite evidence arguments that blood tests are an ineffective method for obtaining accurate indications of someone's fluctuating hormone levels. Dr Louise Newson suggests tests would be better carried out at three o’clock in the morning when the hot flush happens, if doctors want accurate readings.

That said, due to more widespread information and public discourse, GPs are starting to appropriately prescribe HRT to women presenting classic symptoms. And that is good news.  

But what about the other symptoms? And why is it so important to know about those as well?

The charity Menopause Mandate recently released a spotify playlist. It’s a story which details menopausalmenopausel symptoms, including some of the lesser known ones. 

Creators Matt Roach and Sarah Levitt wanted to raise awareness of the menopause after learning more about the far-reaching and devastating effects of undiagnosed symptoms on mid-life women and their families.The campaign poster read: ‘Songs you know. Symptoms you don’t’.  

As well as being entertaining and well curated, the campaign helped carry out  the important job of ensuring better knowledge of the little known symptoms.  

But, why is that important?

Simply,  the symptoms that show up for you, may not be the classic menopausal symptoms. 

I recently listened to a story on Dr Newson’ podcast about a midlife lady called Jo.  Her symptoms included dry eyes and mouth, mouth sores, gum pain, vertigo, vaginal dryness and heart palpitations.  

It’s a very sad story (with thankfully a happy ending). Jo was prescribed a cocktail of medication including beta blockers and spent over £6,000 on unnecessary and painful dental treatment. Eventually, after years that culminated in suicidal thoughts, Jo received a diagnosis for herthe hormonal  symptoms and received the right support, Jo turned her life around.

I found it chilling that both Jo’s GP and dentist had no idea that her life-limiting symptoms were due to Jo’s hormones. Thankfully, the incredible specialist work of the Newson Clinic helped her make a recovery, just in time.  

It’s one of many stories like this on her brilliant podcast.

As a coach, I support women to navigate work, home life and promote their own self-agency. 

I am always on the lookout for the onset of the menopause and the perimenopause. Women already lead complex lives and the onset of difficult symptoms can often be the trigger for them resigning from the workforce, or giving up part of their life they love, or causing a key relationship to fall apart before they’ve even had the opportunity to receive support and help.  

In my experience, when women experience these pernicious symptoms, often rapidly, they might have no idea it’s the perimenopause. And if they do, they may have so little in their tank they are unable to advocate for themselves. Some women don’t have the headspace to argue with a potentially mis-informed GP dismissing them with just a blood test. Or worse, prescribing  antidepressants.  

This is where the role of a good friend, a family member or a coach can make all the difference to support women receive the help they need.  

As Dr Louise Newson always says we can do so much about it. There are safe, inexpensive treatment and lifestyle changes women in the UK can access and implement. Regrettably, this is not the case in all countries and continents enabling  women to return back to living their full lives.

So, the next time your friend complains about their gums hurting, or their stiff knees, or their dry eyes, or their rising anxiety, or their increase in UTIs, or their tiredness. Perhaps, suggest they explore the role their hormones might be playing and direct them to specialist help. 

And maybe gently stay alongside them until they have sought the help they need so they can continue to be their bright, brilliant female selves and continue contributing to our wonderful, complex world.