Where the '34 symptoms' idea comes from
You'll often see menopause described as having '34 symptoms'. It's not an official medical list, but it's a useful reminder that the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause reach far beyond hot flushes. Oestrogen affects tissues all over the body, so as levels fluctuate and fall, the effects show up in many places.
The best-known symptoms are hot flushes, night sweats, irregular periods, mood changes and vaginal dryness. But the fuller picture includes many more.
The wider range of symptoms
Commonly reported changes include: trouble sleeping, anxiety and low mood, brain fog and poor concentration, fatigue, joint and muscle aches, headaches or migraines, palpitations, dizziness, weight gain around the middle, thinning hair, dry skin, low libido, bladder changes and recurrent urinary symptoms, and breast tenderness.
Not everyone gets all of them, and severity varies enormously. Some women sail through with barely a symptom; others are floored. Both are normal.
When to see a GP
Because so many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions — thyroid problems, iron deficiency, depression — it's worth having them assessed rather than assuming. A GP can confirm what's menopause-related and what needs its own investigation.
The good news is that most menopause symptoms are treatable. If any of them are affecting your sleep, work, relationships or quality of life, you don't need to push through — book a consult and talk through your options.
Related condition
Menopause & perimenopause →References & sources
- 1.Menopause — Jean Hailes for Women's Health
- 2.Menopause — Better Health Channel
- 3.Hormone replacement therapy — healthdirect
- 4.Post-menopause — healthdirect
- 5.Menopause health info — Australasian Menopause Society
This content is general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult a GP for your personal situation.
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