GB
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Denmark
Finland
PortugalMenopause symptoms: the full list and how long they last
The full range of menopause and perimenopause symptoms – from period changes and hot flushes to brain fog and joint pain – how long they last and when to see a GP.
The most common menopause symptoms are changes to your periods, hot flushes and night sweats, poor sleep, low mood or anxiety, brain fog, and vaginal dryness. Many women also notice joint aches, headaches, skin and hair changes and more urinary infections. Symptoms usually last around 7 to 9 years and can come and go.
What are the first signs of menopause?
The first sign is usually a change to your periods. This happens in perimenopause – the years before your final period – and often starts in your 40s. Periods may come more or less often, and bleeding may get heavier or lighter. Around the same time, many women notice their first hot flushes, poorer sleep, or mood changes that feel out of character.
Because these early signs are vague and come and go, they are easy to put down to stress or a busy life. For a closer look at this stage, see perimenopause.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Falling and fluctuating oestrogen affects tissues throughout the body, so the symptoms are wide-ranging. You may have a few, many or almost none. Grouped by type, the main ones are:
| Area | What you might notice |
|---|---|
| Periods | Irregular periods, closer together or further apart, heavier or lighter bleeding, then periods stopping altogether |
| Hot flushes and night sweats | Sudden waves of heat in the face, neck and chest, sweating, flushing, palpitations; drenching sweats at night |
| Sleep | Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, often made worse by night sweats |
| Mood and brain | Mood swings, irritability, low mood, anxiety, poor concentration, forgetfulness, "brain fog" |
| Joints and muscles | Aches, stiffness and joint pain |
| Skin | Dry, itchy or thinner skin; sometimes a crawling or tingling sensation |
| Hair | Thinning hair or hair loss on the head; sometimes more facial hair |
| Mucous membranes | Vaginal dryness, itching or soreness, painful sex; dry eyes and mouth; sensitive gums |
| Bladder | Needing to pee more often, leaking, more frequent urinary tract infections |
| Weight and shape | Weight gain, particularly around the stomach, and a shift in where fat is stored |
| Other | Headaches or worse migraines, palpitations, reduced sex drive, tiredness |
Over the longer term, lower oestrogen also speeds up bone loss, raising the risk of osteoporosis, and changes cholesterol levels. These changes have no symptoms of their own, which is why bone and heart health are worth discussing with your GP.
What are the 34 symptoms of menopause?
You will often see lists of "34 symptoms of menopause" online. The number is not an official medical list – it is a way of grouping the many changes women report, and different lists count them differently. What matters more is recognising the pattern: several of the symptoms above, appearing in your 40s or 50s alongside changes to your periods.
It is also worth knowing that many of these symptoms have other possible causes, such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency, depression or side effects of medication. If you are unsure, a GP can help work out what is going on – see signs of hormonal imbalance for the conditions that are commonly checked.
How long do menopause symptoms last?
According to the NHS, symptoms usually last for around 7 to 9 years, and sometimes longer. Hot flushes tend to be at their most frequent around the final period and in the first year or two afterwards, then gradually fade. Some women from Black ethnic backgrounds are more likely to have hot flushes that are more severe and go on for longer.
Symptoms caused by thinning tissues – vaginal dryness, soreness and urinary problems – are different. They often start later and tend to persist or worsen without treatment, because oestrogen stays low after menopause.
Can menopause symptoms come and go?
Yes, especially in perimenopause. Hormone levels rise and fall unpredictably, so you may have weeks or months with hardly any symptoms and then a spell when they return. Symptoms also change over time: hot flushes might ease, only for low mood, anxiety or joint pain to become more noticeable. This stop-start pattern is normal and is one reason it can be hard to tell what is happening.
What not to do during menopause?
- Don’t smoke – it can make symptoms worse and adds to the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
- Don’t drink more than the recommended limit of 14 units a week; alcohol can trigger hot flushes and disturb sleep.
- Don’t stop contraception too early – you can still get pregnant in perimenopause.
- Don’t take herbal remedies without checking first – some interact with prescribed medicines, and the evidence for most is weak.
- Don’t ignore bleeding after menopause – it always needs checking.
- Don’t struggle on in silence – effective help is available, and symptoms are a valid reason to see your GP.
How can you manage menopause symptoms?
Lifestyle changes help many women: regular exercise including strength training, a balanced diet with calcium-rich foods, regular sleep routines, keeping your bedroom cool, and cutting back on triggers such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy food. Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants are available from pharmacies without a prescription.
For symptoms that affect your daily life, talk to your GP about treatment. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the main option; vaginal oestrogen treats dryness and urinary symptoms; and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and some non-hormonal prescription medicines can help with hot flushes, sleep and mood. Practical tips for flushes are in hot flushes and night sweats.
When should I see a GP about menopause symptoms?
You do not need to wait until symptoms are severe. See a GP if:
- your symptoms are affecting your daily life, work or relationships and you want to know your options
- you are under 45 and your periods have become irregular or stopped, or you have menopausal symptoms
- your periods have become much heavier, or you bleed between periods or after sex
- you have not had a period for 12 months and then have any vaginal bleeding, even spotting
- you have palpitations
- you are feeling very low, anxious or hopeless
Frequently asked questions
What is usually the first sign of menopause?
A change in your periods is usually the first sign – they may become irregular, closer together, further apart, heavier or lighter. This tends to start in your 40s, during perimenopause, often alongside the first hot flushes or poorer sleep.
Can menopause make you feel ill?
It can make you feel very unlike yourself. Tiredness from broken sleep, headaches, palpitations, aches and low mood can add up. But menopause does not cause fever or unexplained weight loss, so symptoms like those should be checked by a GP.
Does menopause cause anxiety?
Anxiety, irritability and low mood are common during perimenopause and menopause. They can be worsened by poor sleep. HRT, CBT and other treatments can help, so talk to your GP – and seek help urgently if you feel unable to cope.
Do menopause symptoms ever stop?
Most do fade with time. Hot flushes and night sweats usually ease within a few years of the last period, although some women have them for much longer. Vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms tend to continue unless treated.
Is weight gain a symptom of menopause?
Weight gain is common at this stage, particularly around the stomach. Lower oestrogen changes where the body stores fat, and muscle mass naturally declines with age. Strength exercise and a balanced diet help, and a GP can advise if your weight is a concern.
Sources
- NHS – Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
- NHS – Things you can do to help menopause and perimenopause symptoms
- NHS – Treatment for menopause and perimenopause
- NHS – Post-menopausal bleeding
- NHS – Early or premature menopause
- NHS – Vaginal dryness
- NICE NG23 – Menopause: identification and management
- Women’s Health Concern – Menopause factsheet
