Menopause Symptoms & Diagnosis Menopause Symptoms to Discuss With Your Healthcare Provider By Kate Bracy, RN, NP Kate Bracy, RN, NP Facebook Kate Bracy, RN, MS, NP, is a registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health and family planning. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 17, 2021 Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD LinkedIn Lauren Schlanger, MD, is a board-certified primary care physician with a focus on women's and trans health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Heavy Bleeding Depression Heart Disease Menopause is a time of shifting hormones and new symptoms—some of which can interfere with your life. Hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and mood swings are common during menopause. However, some effects of menopause may be more than just annoying. When estrogen and progesterone levels drop, potentially harmful health conditions can emerge. Thomas Barwick / Getty Images Heavy Bleeding The abnormal menstrual bleeding of perimenopause (cycle intervals or bleeding duration) usually has a hormonal component and is often associated with anovulation. Excessive bleeding can lead to serious blood loss and anemia. When your periods become irregular during menopause, you might blame all menstrual irregularities on hormonal changes, potentially ignoring serious medical issues. Heavy periods can also be a sign of other health issues, such as blood clotting problems, benign growths, or pre-cancerous changes in the uterus. Pay attention to the amount that you are bleeding for a couple of cycles. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have any changes in your bleeding, either during your periods or at other times during your cycle. Depression The hormonal changes associated with menopause can trigger depression, which is among the major issues that can affect your quality of life. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you notice you have any of the following signs of depression: Crying more than usualFeel hopeless or overwhelmingly anxiousCan’t enjoy things you used to, including sexLose your appetiteHave a weight gain or loss that you can’t really explainAre irritable or angry more than usual Depression can be treated. And the signs of depression can also signal other health issues, such as a neurological disorder. Consider confiding in a close friend or family member if you suspect you may be depressed. If you need a little moral support to encourage you to see a healthcare provider or counselor, ask a friend or partner to go with you to the first appointment. If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Heart Disease Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. During menopause, heart disease can begin to rear its head. Many people do not realize that after age 50, females have a high risk of heart disease. So it is important that you learn the symptoms of heart disease and get regular screening checkups. If you experience chest pain, a burning sensation, difficulty breathing, sweating, fatigue, or sudden anxiety, call 911: these are signs of a heart attack and are a medical emergency. Heart Palpitations Heart palpitations, which can manifest as the sensation of a racing pulse, are among the common signs of heart disease. This can also be associated with episodes of feeling dizzy or lightheaded. High Blood Pressure High blood pressure might be the first sign that your cardiovascular system is beginning to show some wear and tear. As your hormones change during menopause, the walls of your blood vessels may become less flexible. Hypertension is a risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Blood pressure usually climbs slowly and gradually, over months and years. When you begin to see signs of menopause, get your blood pressure checked at least every six months. You can do it at a local drug store, fire station, or your healthcare provider's office, but try to have it done at the same place each time so you can compare it reliably. See your healthcare provider right away if you find you are having any of the following signs of advanced hypertension: Headaches that are more often or severe than usualTrouble with your visionUnusual fatigueProblems with breathing, either at rest or after exerciseAny sort of chest painLightheadedness or faintingPeriods of confusionBlood in your urine While these are obvious signs of a serious problem, high blood pressure usually doesn't cause symptoms until complications arise. A Word From Verywell During perimenopause and menopause, it’s important to pay attention to your body. Most of the troublesome or dangerous effects of menopause are treatable. And keep in mind that taking care of your body can also mean taking care of your relationships—since severe menopausal symptoms might impact relationships. 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gracia CR, Freeman EW. Onset of the menopause transition: the earliest signs and symptoms. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(4):585-597. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.07.002 Whayne TF, Mukherjee D. Women, the menopause, hormone replacement therapy and coronary heart disease. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2015;30(4):432-8. doi:10.1097/HCO.0000000000000157 Davies J, Kadir RA. Heavy menstrual bleeding: an update on management. Thromb Res. 2017;151 Suppl 1:S70-S77. doi:10.1016/S0049-3848(17)30072-5 Peuranpää P, Heliövaara-peippo S, Fraser I, Paavonen J, Hurskainen R. Effects of anemia and iron deficiency on quality of life in women with heavy menstrual bleeding. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2014;93(7):654-60. doi:10.1111/aogs.12394 Hoga L, Rodolpho J, Gonçalves B, Quirino B. Women's experience of menopause: a systematic review of qualitative evidence. JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2015;13(8):250-337. doi:10.11124/jbisrir-2015-1948 Rantanen AT, Korkeila JJA, Löyttyniemi ES, Saxén UKM, Korhonen PE. Awareness of hypertension and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study in a primary care population. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2018;36(3):323-328. doi:10.1080/02813432.2018.1499588 El khoudary SR, Thurston RC. Cardiovascular implications of the menopause transition: endogenous sex hormones and vasomotor symptoms. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(4):641-661. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2018.07.006 Zilberman JM. [Menopause: Hypertension and vascular disease]. Hipertens Riesgo Vasc. 2018;35(2):77-83. doi:10.1016/j.hipert.2017.11.001 Assarzadegan F, Asadollahi M, Hesami O, Aryani O, Mansouri B, Beladi Moghadam N. Secondary headaches attributed to arterial hypertension. Iran J Neurol. 2013;12(3):106–110. Kling JM, Kelly M, Rullo J, et al. Association between menopausal symptoms and relationship distress. Maturitas. 2019;130:1-5. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.09.006 By Kate Bracy, RN, NP Kate Bracy, RN, MS, NP, is a registered nurse and certified nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health and family planning. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit