Hot flashes, sleep, mood and brain fog
Hot flashes and night sweats
A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat rushing to the upper body and face. It can last a few seconds to several minutes or longer. Some people get them a few times a month; others several times a day.1 They affect about 80% of people going through menopause.2 The brain's temperature control is involved, which is how newer non-hormone medicines work.2
at night, night sweats, can wake people up and leave them tired the next day.1
Sleep
Trouble falling asleep, or waking long before usual, is common, and make it worse.1 Poor sleep can affect daily life, so it's worth raising with a doctor.3
Mood and brain fog
Mood swings, low mood and depression can come with perimenopause, and so can problems with memory and concentration, often called brain fog.3 These are real symptoms, not imagined ones.
The body
Other common symptoms include:3
- vaginal dryness, burning, irritation or itching, and pain during sex
- more urinary infections, or needing to pee more often
- muscle aches and joint pains
- a faster or more noticeable heartbeat
- headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
- weight gain
- thinning hair and dry, itchy skin
- lower sex drive
Vaginal and urinary symptoms happen because the vaginal lining becomes thinner, drier and less stretchy as estrogen falls.1
What helps
- Treatment works. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for and , and there are non-hormone medicines too.1,4 The next two lessons cover both.
- For vaginal dryness, over-the-counter moisturizers and lubricants can help. Local vaginal estrogen treats the cause.1
- Track your symptoms before a visit: what they are, how often, and how they affect sleep, work and mood.
Questions to ask
- Are my symptoms likely to be perimenopause?
- Is hormone therapy an option for me? If not, what else is there?
- What can I do about sleep?
Recap
- About 80% of people going through menopause get hot flashes. They can last seconds to minutes and come a few times a month or many times a day.
- Night sweats can break up sleep, and insomnia is common.
- Mood swings, low mood, and problems with memory and concentration are common too.
- Vaginal dryness, more UTIs, joint pain and palpitations are other common symptoms.
- These symptoms are treatable. A doctor can help.
Words to know 4
| genitourinary syndrome of menopause | Vaginal dryness, irritation and urinary symptoms caused by lower estrogen. |
|---|---|
| hot flash | A sudden feeling of heat that rushes to the upper body and face. |
| night sweats | Hot flashes that happen during sleep. |
| vasomotor symptoms | The medical name for hot flashes and night sweats. |
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your health.