Menopause is a natural chapter in every woman’s life, but it can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. Typically arriving between ages 45 and 55, menopause marks the end of menstruation, with perimenopause - the transition phase - starting up to a decade earlier. While hot flashes, mood changes, and weight gain often steal the spotlight, there are lesser-known symptoms that can catch you off guard. From achy joints to skin changes and even brain fog, menopause can affect your body and mind in surprising ways.
This journey isn’t just about challenges - it’s about understanding what’s happening and finding ways to feel your best. Let’s explore these unexpected symptoms and how you can navigate them with practical strategies and a holistic approach like reflexology.
Achy Joints: Why Your Body Feels Stiff and Sore
Have you ever felt like your joints are moving a little slower, as if they’re protesting every step? Muscle and joint pain is a common but often overlooked menopause symptom. As estrogen levels decline, it affects your muscles, bones, and joints, which rely on estrogen to stay healthy. This can lead to stiffness, frozen shoulder, or worsening osteoarthritis. Research shows over half of women in perimenopause or menopause experience this discomfort, which can make daily tasks feel like a chore.
How to Find Relief: You don’t have to accept this as “just aging.” Gentle exercises like yoga or walking can keep your joints limber and improve mobility. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet high in protein and rich in fibrous carbs like leafy greens, quinoa, or sweet potatoes can also help reduce inflammation. These small changes can make a big difference in how you feel day to day.
Skin Changes: Rediscovering Your Glow
If your skin feels drier than usual or looks less vibrant, menopause might be the culprit. As estrogen decreases, your skin produces less natural oil and collagen, leaving it thinner, itchier, and more prone to irritation. It’s like your skin is craving extra care and attention during this transition.
How to Nurture Your Skin: A thoughtful skincare routine can work wonders. Opt for gentle, natural products like shea butter, aloe vera, or jojoba oil to hydrate and soothe. Avoid harsh chemicals or fragrances that can irritate sensitive skin, drink plenty of water and get outdoors for a little Vitamin D.
Tingling Sensations: When Your Skin Feels Electric
Ever notice a tingling, numbness, or a strange “crawling” sensation on your skin? These unusual feelings can be linked to menopause. Estrogen supports healthy nerve function, so its decline can cause your nerves to act up, leading to sensations that feel like static electricity under your skin. Stress, poor sleep, or anxiety, all common during menopause, can amplify these feelings. How to Soothe the Static: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or gentle stretching can calm your nervous system. Ensuring you get enough rest and managing stress through mindfulness practices can also help reduce these sensations. If they persist, a chat with your doctor can rule out other causes.
Mind and Balance: Navigating Brain Fog and Dizziness
Menopause can sometimes feel like it’s playing tricks on your mind and body. Brain fog, those moments of forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, or struggling to find the right word can make you feel scattered. It’s caused by hormonal shifts, often worsened by sleepless nights, stress, or night sweats that disrupt your rest.
Some women also experience dizziness or lightheadedness, as estrogen’s decline affects blood flow and the nervous system. In some cases, menopause can trigger vertigo, where the world feels like it’s spinning, especially with sudden movements or stress. Even tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, can show up as hormonal changes impact blood flow and nerve function in the auditory system. How to Stay Grounded: Prioritizing sleep is key, even if it means creating a calming bedtime routine with herbal tea or a cool, dark bedroom. For brain fog, try small habits like writing to-do lists or practicing mindfulness to sharpen focus. If dizziness or tinnitus is persistent, check in with a healthcare provider to explore underlying causes and solutions.
Reflexology: Your Ally in This Transition
As a reflexologist, I am passionate about helping women navigate menopause with personalised care. Reflexology offers a gentle, holistic way to support your body and mind during this time. Here’s how it can make a difference:
- Balancing Hormones: By stimulating reflex points on the feet linked to the endocrine system, reflexology encourages your body to find harmony amidst hormonal shifts.
- Easing Symptoms: From hot flashes to stress and fatigue, reflexology can help reduce physical and emotional discomfort, leaving you feeling more centered.
- Better Sleep: Research suggests reflexology improves sleep quality and reduces fatigue, helping you wake up refreshed and ready for the day.
- Lifting Your Mood: Sessions promote deep relaxation, easing tension and boosting your sense of calm and well-being.
- Time for You: Beyond the physical benefits, reflexology is a chance to pause, focus on yourself, and feel supported during a time when life’s demands can feel overwhelming.
Embracing Menopause with Strength
Menopause is a transformative phase, and while its symptoms can feel challenging, they don’t have to define you. By understanding what’s happening and exploring options like exercise, skincare, and reflexology, you can move through this chapter with confidence and grace. You’re not alone in this, small changes and holistic support can help you feel like yourself again.
Ready to explore how reflexology can support your menopause journey? Reach out to book a session, and let’s work together to help you feel your best. Please call The Broomhill Clinic in Aberdeen City Centre on 01224 572727 to book your appointment or click on the link below to book at The Clinical Room, Kippie Lodge, Milltimber, Aberdeen.