Heart palpitations, chest pains, and itchy or dry skin are some of the top symptoms that women do not expect from menopause – among a long list of 62 things to look out for. A poll of 5,000 women, who are pre-menopause, in peri, or post-menopause, found that they typically associate just five symptoms with this time of their life – including hot flushes, irregular periods, tiredness, night sweats, and sleeping difficulties.
But menopause specialist Dr Naomi Potter claims there are actually more than 60 symptoms to be aware of – such as acne, anxiety, changes to libido, and urinary infections or incontinence. The UK's largest ever study into the menopause found over half of women (56 per cent) were continually shocked at what their body was experiencing.
And even those who have reached the end of their menopause journey remain relatively clueless about what they have been through. Dr Potter, together with hygiene and health company Essity, has developed a series of educational packs to help all women better understand their changing bodies.
