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If you’re like many, when you think about menopause, you think of hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and weight gain… right?
Here are 5 Surprising Symptoms of Menopause that you may not know:
#1 Dental Issues
· Changing estrogen levels means that your body will experience dryness. The common symptom of vaginal dryness is a great example. But, this can also be a problem in the mouth that leads to bacterial imbalance, gum disease and tooth decay.
· Osteoporosis doesn’t just impact the big bones in the body! The jawbones can be affected; chewing, jaw mobility and your teeth(or dentures) can be compromised.
· Stress can make jaw clenching and teeth grinding more prevalent. The extra pressure may cause tooth damage and headaches.
Talk with your dentist about how menopause is impacting your oral health. Often, they have solutions that are easy to implement and will save you from years of discomfort.
#2 Bloating and Digestive Issues
· Believe it or not, estrogen helps regulate digestion! Less estrogen means less bile, and that can result in dry, hard stools, constipation and uncomfortable bowel movements.
· Lower estrogen is also implicated in water retention, which can be one cause of bloating. Hormonal imbalance can also cause gas and bloating in the digestive process because the way the body metabolizes carbohydrates and proteins changes.
Consult with a Health Coach or Nutritionist to discuss ways to shift your eating habits as well as what foods to focus on to support your health.
#3 Body Odor
Hormonal changes can be a bear when it comes to body odor.
· Decreased estrogen is to blame for an increase in BO. Estrogen helps regulate your hypothalamus; the hypothalamus is the gland responsible for regulating your body temperature. When estrogen levels drop, your hypothalamus gets confused and responds as though you are hot, even when you aren’t. The result is activated sweat glands!
· Hot flashes and night sweats can leave you, your clothing and your bedding drenched in sweat. Night sweats in particular can bread some funk because bacteria has hours to develop while you sleep. If your sheets and clothing are smelly as a result of menopausal sweat, try an enzyme cleaner as a pre-soak when you do laundry. That extra step can often help!
· Vaginal dryness can cause odor, too. Without sufficient vaginal lubrication to keep pH in check, odor-causing bacteria can flourish.
Breathable fabrics, a daily shower (or two), antiperspirant or deodorant, pretreating laundry, and following a healthy diet to help alleviate the symptoms in the first place can all make a difference.
#4 Dizziness
Dizziness may be a sign of more serious health concerns, but it can be due to menopause.
· Hormone fluctuations may make you experience vertigo, feel faint or lightheaded.
· While experiencing other symptoms you may also feel dizzy or unstable. Hot flashes, dehydration, anxiety, panic attacks, and stress can all trigger those feeling.
· Cardiovascular disruptions and disorders from heart disease that develops during menopause may leave you feeling dizzy, too.
Visit with your doctor to determine if your dizziness is related to menopause or a more serious health concern.