Menopause Symptoms & Diagnosis Menopause Symptoms to Discuss With Your Doctor By 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 Kate Bracy, RN, NP Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD on August 05, 2016 Meredith Shur, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology. She is a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and a practicing doctor at East Side Women's Ob-Gyn associates in New York City. Learn about our Medical Review Board Meredith Shur, MD Updated on November 19, 2019 Print Menopause is a time of shifting hormones and annoying 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, symptoms may signal a real health concern. Once you’ve entered perimenopause, it’s important to pay attention to your body. Some of these health issues might slip by unnoticed, owing to the more dramatic effects of night sweats or mood meltdowns. But it is important to address these issues, since most of the troublesome or dangerous effects of menopause are treatable, or at least temporary. And keep in mind that taking care of your body can mean taking care of your relationships as well, since women who have more severe menopausal symptoms are likely to experience relationship distress. Thomas Barwick / Getty Images In particular, watch for the following warning signs. Heavy Bleeding If your periods have become increasingly heavy, be sure to keep track of your bleeding pattern. The abnormalities seen in menstrual bleeding (cycle intervals or bleeding duration) usually have a hormonal component and are often associated with anovulation. Heavy periods can also be affected by obesity and leiomyomata. Conditions such as fibroid tumors or uterine polyps can cause irregular bleeding and serious blood loss. When your periods become irregular during menopause, you might blame all menstrual irregularities on hormonal changes, potentially ignoring serious medical issues. Pay attention to the amount that you are bleeding for a couple of cycles. If you find that you are changing a maxi pad or super tampon more than once an hour for more than eight hours, you could be bleeding enough to lead to anemia. Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any concerns about 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 a woman's quality of life at this time. Make an appointment with your health care provider if you notice you have any of the following signs of depression: Crying more than usualFeel hopeless or overwhelmingly anxiousHave thoughts about dying or hurting yourselfCan’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 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 doctor or counselor, ask a friend, husband or partner to go with you to the first appointment. Heart Palpitations Heart palpitations, which can manifest as the sensation of a racing pulse, are among the common signs of heart disease. During menopause, heart disease can begin to rear its head—so if you experience palpitations, it’s time to see your doctor. 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. High Blood Pressure After the age of 50, women start catching up with men in the heart disease department. 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 can climb slowly, unannounced. Or it can suddenly be quite high, without any obvious symptoms. 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 doctor’s office, but try to have it done at the same place each time so you can compare it reliably. See your health care provider right away if you find you are having any of the following signs of 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 problem, high blood pressure can also have no symptoms at all. Again, as you approach the age of menopause, have your blood pressure screened regularly so you can get treatment at the first signs of concern. A Word From Verywell You will need time to adjust to and understand your “new” body in menopause, and paying attention to symptoms can help you identify health issues early. Menopause is a great excuse to start taking good care of yourself! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article 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 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 Davies J, Kadir RA. 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