Tremors, chest tightness and tinnitus are among the most unexpected symptoms of menopause. Many women may experience these symptoms but fail to make the connection with menopause. While awareness of common menopause symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and weight gain is high, many women don’t make the connection between other health struggles related to menopause.
Earthquake vibrations
Tremor, defined as a neurological condition that involves trembling or shaking in one or more parts of the body, most commonly affecting a person’s hands – was the most unexpected menopausal symptom associated with menopause. In conjunction with falling estrogen levels, this can affect nerve function. Estrogens and androgens exert a strong regulatory effect on the central and peripheral nervous system, so when any of these important sex hormones are in flux (in menopause) or persistently low (after menopause), this regulatory effect is lost resulting in changes in the way the nerves function. mode.
Tremor is a manifestation of dysregulated messages through the nerves and is therefore a symptom of perimenopause or menopause. If tremors are associated with menopause, it is important to rule out and treat other causes. Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT) if necessary.
Tightness in the chest
While chest tightness could be linked to something more serious. Chest tightness, a new awareness of your heartbeat, or the feeling that your heart is racing or racing are the second most unexpected symptoms of menopause. At menopause, we see rates of cardiovascular disease increase in women. With lower levels of circulating estrogen, our blood lipid profiles become less favorable. That means there are more low density lipoproteins (‘bad’ cholesterol) and less high-density lipoprotein (‘good’ cholesterol), which can contribute to narrowing of the arteries.
Estrogen also exerts a strong anti-inflammatory effect. When these levels change during menopause and menopause, we are at higher risk of abnormal inflammatory responses in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Estrogen promotes the relaxation and dilation of blood vessels, so when levels are fluctuating or low our blood vessels can become more reactive and tense. This increases blood pressure and reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles, including the heart. This can manifest as a feeling of tightness or difficulty breathing.
These symptoms respond well to lifestyle optimization. It is imperative to rule out and treat primary cardiovascular or other causes of these symptoms.
Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears is another condition not usually associated with menopause. Tinnitus is often thought of as just a condition as a result of natural age-related hearing loss. However, this condition is also linked to hormonal changes that women experience in menopause and menopause.
As estrogen and progesterone decline, this can also affect the auditory systems. Estrogen in particular has been shown to help develop and maintain auditory pathways in the brain, revealing how low levels of the hormone can affect hearing. Often described as “ringing in the ears,” tinnitus can also manifest as humming, buzzing, crackling, pulsating, hissing, or hissing.
The underlying cause is not fully understood, but it is likely to be multifactorial and unlikely to be due to hormonal changes alone, which may explain why it is not a universal experience. Tinnitus that is pulsatile or associated with dizziness or hearing loss should be evaluated by a doctor as it may be due to a serious cause. In addition to reducing anxiety, improving sleep and considering HRT, the mainstay of treatment is to reduce the perception of symptoms with sound distraction therapy, CBT or tinnitus retraining therapy.
Bleeding gums
Gum disease can develop due to lower estrogen levels, causing bleeding gums. This can also cause gum inflammation, sensitivity in the mouth and gums, dry mouth and bad breath. There are often other reasons that can contribute to gum disease that are more common than menopause. However, low estrogen levels can affect oral health by increasing the chances of developing gingivitis.
Dental hygiene is important at this stage. Visit your Dentist and Hygienist regularly and eat a diet full of antioxidants and vitamin C and plants full of prebiotics. Avoid excess sugar, alcohol and acidic drinks and quit smoking. Consider breathing exercises to promote nasal rather than mouth breathing, particularly at night.
When looking at managing menopause symptoms in general through diet, we should focus on eating a good source of protein. Include lots of plants and some healthy fats. Try to minimize snacks, alcohol and highly processed foods. Also, aim for three sources of calcium a day. For example, dairy, fortified plant-based milk, sardines, broccoli, tofu, almonds, kale, spinach, white beans and oranges are all good sources.
Supplements are highly individual and most are not necessary (watch out for meno washing!). Creatine monohydrate it is very useful for menopausal women (for all women in fact!). Helps build muscle and endurance. Recent research now links it to brain benefits. As always, check with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
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