Y'all Googling "34 Symptoms of Menopause" At 2 AM?
Same, Baby. Let's Talk About It.
I saw it trending on Google this week and I said, "Well Lord, finally people are talking about it."
Because for years we were told menopause is just hot flashes and your periods stop.
Cher, if it was only that, we would be fine!
At 57 here in Pearl River, I have felt at least 25 of these 34 myself. I thought I was losing my mind, losing my hair, and losing my cool all at once.
Turns out, it's hormones.
👉 Shop the exact wellness swaps Nana made: Shop Nana's Menopause Kit
This list is the classic 34 symptoms that women's health experts, doctors, and researchers reference most often. Not every woman will get all of them — some show up in perimenopause, some linger into postmenopause, and some come and go.
You are not crazy, you are not alone, and you are not the only one with a burning mouth and itchy skin at the same time.
This is for information only — not medical advice. If you have new, severe, or worrying symptoms, please see your healthcare provider.
The 34 Symptoms of Menopause — Broken Down Nana-Style with Some of Nana's Favorite Tools
I grouped them so it makes sense, because that long list can feel overwhelming.
Hormonal + Physical Body Changes
1. Hot flashes — That sudden furnace from your chest up.
2. Night sweats — Waking up drenched, sheets soaked.
Cool off with Nana's Favorite Peppermint Roller. I love it on the back of my neck!
3. Irregular periods — Shorter, longer, heavier, lighter, then... surprise!
4. Vaginal dryness — Dryness, discomfort, and changes down there.
5. Decreased libido — When you just don't feel like it anymore.
This Women's Balance Roller helps me feel balanced! I love it on my wrists!
6. Weight gain (especially around the middle) — I ate the same, but my jeans said different.
7. Hair thinning or hair loss — More hair in the brush, less on your head.
8. Dry skin — That tight, flaky feeling, even after cream.
9. Breast tenderness — Like PMS but lasts longer.
10. Joint pain or stiffness — Knees, hips, fingers — achy in the morning.
11. Muscle aches or tension — That sore feeling without working out.
Nana uses this Roller anywhere she has joint or muscle discomfort. Roll on site & rub it in good!
12. Fatigue — That deep, ongoing exhaustion I talked about in my last post.
Menopause Fatigue — Real Causes & Nana's Natural Relief Guide
13. Sleep disturbances / insomnia — Can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep.
Nana uses this Roller on her feet for a restful night.
14. Palpitations or racing heart — Flutter that makes you catch your breath.
Watch the caffeine! Check out Nana's Favorite Mushroom Coffee
15. Frequent urination or incontinence — Gotta go... right now.
16. Bloating — Full and gassy by afternoon.
17. Digestive issues (e.g. constipation or gas)
18. Headaches or migraines
Try this peppermint roller on the abdomen or across the forehead.
19. Itchy skin or tingling sensations — That crawly, itchy feeling.
20. Dizziness or lightheadedness
21. Osteoporosis or bone thinning — Bones get more fragile.
22. Burning tongue or mouth discomfort — Metallic taste, burning mouth.
23. Gum problems or tooth sensitivity
24. Brittle nails — Breaking, splitting.
Mood + Brain Changes
25. Anxiety — Worry out of nowhere.
26. Irritability or rage — Zero to 100 over nothing.
27. Depression or low mood
28. Mood swings — Crying, laughing, mad — all before 9 AM.
29. Brain fog — Walking into a room and forgetting why.
30. Memory lapses — Words on the tip of your tongue.
31. Difficulty concentrating — Can't focus on a paragraph.
32. Panic attacks — Sudden fear or heart racing.
33. Loss of confidence or motivation — Feeling like you lost your spark.
34. Tearfulness or emotional sensitivity — Crying at commercials.
Why Does This Happen?
Estrogen touches almost everything — brain chemistry, temperature control, sleep clock, bone strength, skin collagen, gut motility, mood chemicals.
When estrogen drops and progesterone and testosterone shift too, your whole system recalibrates. Your body is trying to function with different hormone levels.
What Actually Helped Me at 57 — Nana's Gentle Approach
I am not a doctor, cher. I just know what helped me feel more like myself:
1. Track it: I wrote down my symptoms for 30 days — hot flashes, sleep, mood, bleeding. When I showed my doctor, she took me seriously.
2. Foundation first: Cool bedroom at 68°, light cotton pajamas or sleep naked, lukewarm water not hot, daily 20-minute walk, protein + healthy fats instead of sugar snacks that crash me.
3. Barrier and hydration: Switched to gentle, non-stripping cleansers like my REVIVE Radiance Cleanser and Revive Moisturizer right after.
4. My calm energy ritual: I cut off regular coffee by 3 PM. I switched to my Dose mushroom coffee with Lion's Mane + L-Theanine in the morning — less caffeine, no jitters, steady focus for brain fog.
It didn't cure anything, but it stopped that jitter-crash cycle that made my fatigue and anxiety worse.
5. Talk to your provider: Ask about thyroid, iron/ferritin if you had heavy bleeding, bone density, and options that are right for you. The Menopause Society has good, evidence-based info too.
You do not have to have all 34 to be in perimenopause. Some women have 5. Some have 25. The intensity varies with hormonal balance, lifestyle, and genetics.
How to Use This List
Track your own symptoms for at least 2-4 weeks before your next doctor's visit — note which of the 34 you notice, how often, and how severe. A written list, even a rough one, helps your provider take your concerns seriously and spot patterns you might miss day to day.
Don't try to fix everything at once. Pick one or two symptoms that bother you most and start there — foundation habits like sleep temperature and caffeine timing tend to help multiple symptoms at once, so they're a good place to begin.
Revisit this list as things change. Perimenopause and menopause symptoms shift over months and years — what's worst for you now may ease while something else shows up. Bookmark this page and come back to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have all 34 symptoms to be in perimenopause or menopause?
No. Some women experience only 5 of these symptoms, others experience 25 or more. The number and intensity vary based on hormonal balance, genetics, and lifestyle factors — there's no minimum count that "counts."
What's the difference between perimenopause and menopause symptoms?
Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, when hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably — this is often when symptoms like irregular periods, mood swings, and hot flashes first appear. Menopause is officially marked by 12 months without a period, and some symptoms (like vaginal dryness or bone density changes) can continue or even intensify afterward.
Which symptoms should send me to the doctor right away rather than waiting?
New, severe, or sudden symptoms — especially heavy or unusual bleeding, chest pain or racing heart, severe mood changes, or panic attacks — warrant a call to your healthcare provider rather than waiting it out.
This list is for understanding what's common, not for self-diagnosing something serious.
Can lifestyle changes really help with symptoms this varied?
Not every symptom responds to lifestyle changes alone, but foundational habits — sleep temperature, caffeine timing, protein-rich meals, gentle movement — genuinely help multiple symptoms at once because they support the same underlying systems (sleep, cortisol, blood sugar) that hormones are already disrupting.
They're not a cure, but they add up.
Is it normal for symptoms to come and go, or get worse before getting better?
Yes. Hormone levels during perimenopause don't decline in a straight line — they fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, which is why symptoms can flare, ease, and flare again unpredictably.
This is one of the most common things women aren't warned about ahead of time.
More From Nana
Best Protein Powder for Menopause — Hemp + Pea Blend Review
REVIVE Shampoo Review — Rosemary Oil for Menopause Hair Loss
REVIVE Radiance Cleanser Review — Gentle Skincare for Menopause
Menopause Fatigue — Real Causes & Nana's Natural Relief Guide
Nana's Bottom Line
If you are Googling this list at midnight sweating, crying, and itchy
— you are not alone —
This is a major hormonal shift and we were never taught what is actually happening.
👉 Shop the exact wellness swaps Nana made: Shop Nana's Menopause Kit
Knowledge is power. Give yourself grace — you are going through a lot.
What symptoms surprised YOU the most? For me it was the burning tongue and electric shock zaps. Drop a comment and let Nana know.
Affiliate disclosure: May contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
For informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
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