Menopause Symptoms: What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You

Menopause doesn’t knock once and enter quietly. For many women, it arrives slowly, with small signs that are easy to ignore at first. You may feel “off” without knowing why. One day it’s irregular periods, another day it’s sudden sweating at night, and some days it’s just feeling emotionally overwhelmed for no clear reason. These symptoms can creep in months or even years before your periods fully stop, and knowing them early can make the journey much easier.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sudeshna Ray explains the symptoms of menopause, period changes, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and mood swings.

Changes in Menstrual Cycles and Hot Flushes

The first and most common symptom is a change in your periods, says Dr Ray. Your cycle may become irregular, you may skip months, bleed more frequently, or have very heavy or prolonged bleeding.

Some women also experience spotting before or after their periods. While this is very common in perimenopause, it’s important not to ignore abnormal bleeding. 

Dr Ray says that in some cases, this could be a warning sign of other health problems. So any unusual change should always be discussed with a gynaecologist.

Next come the hot flushes, the most talked-about menopause symptom. A hot flush feels like a sudden wave of heat rising from your chest to your face, often followed by sweating, a fast heartbeat, and anxiety.

These episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes and may happen during the day or disturb your sleep at night. Many women also experience night sweats, which can leave them tired and restless.

Emotional and Physical Changes

Dr Ray points out another common issue: emotional changes. You may feel irritable, anxious, low in mood, or unusually sensitive. Small things may start bothering you more than before. 

Along with this, sleep problems are very common, including difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, or feeling tired even after sleeping.

You may also notice physical changes like vaginal dryness, which can cause discomfort during intimacy, and a drop in sexual desire for some women.

Weight gain, especially around the tummy, hips, and waist, is another frequent concern.  Body’s metabolism slows down, making it easier to gain weight even with the same diet.

Other symptoms include joint pain, body aches, headaches, breast tenderness, hair thinning, dry skin, and even memory lapses or brain fog, where you feel forgetful or less focused than before.

Every woman’s menopause journey is different. Some have mild symptoms, while others struggle more. The key is not to suffer silently.

Dr Ray explains that these changes are natural, but support, awareness, and the right guidance can make this phase far more comfortable and empowering.