The Lesser-Known Symptoms of Perimenopause: 7 Things to Look Out For

Summary

Dr. Jen, a double-boarded integrative medicine doctor, discusses seven unusual symptoms of perimenopause that women may experience. These include itchy ears, ringing in the ears, changes in body odor, migraines, burning mouth, joint pain, and heart palpitations. She explains how hormonal fluctuations, particularly declining estrogen, affect various body systems, leading to these symptoms. Additionally, Dr. Jen highlights weight and metabolism changes that often accompany perimenopause. She encourages women to stay informed and seek medical advice for symptoms that may indicate the onset of perimenopause.

Takeaways

• 😀 Itchy ears and skin irritation can be an unusual symptom of perimenopause, due to declining estrogen affecting tissue moisture.
• 😀 Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) can also be linked to perimenopause, though other medical conditions should be ruled out first.
• 😀 Changes in body odor, similar to puberty, can occur during perimenopause due to alterations in the microbiome, influenced by fluctuating hormones.
• 😀 Migraines, particularly those that appear without prior history, can be triggered by declining estrogen and progesterone levels.
• 😀 Burning mouth or gums can result from hormonal changes that affect oral health, saliva production, and the oral microbiome.
• 😀 Joint pain, stiffness, and bone discomfort are common during perimenopause, as declining estrogen affects bone turnover and joint health.
• 😀 Heart palpitations or sensations of a racing heart can happen due to hormonal changes, especially with progesterone fluctuations affecting heart function.
• 😀 Weight changes and difficulty losing weight, despite a healthy lifestyle, are linked to perimenopause-related insulin resistance and hormonal shifts.
• 😀 Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining vaginal, oral, and gut health; its decline can disrupt microbiomes and lead to unusual symptoms.
• 😀 If you experience perimenopausal symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes and explore treatments.

Q & A

What are some unusual symptoms of perimenopause mentioned in the video?

The video mentions seven unusual symptoms of perimenopause: itchy ears, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), changes in body odor, migraines, burning mouth or gums, joint pain, and heart palpitations.

How can itchy ears be related to perimenopause?

Itchy ears can occur due to the decline in estrogen, which leads to dryness in tissues, including in the inner ear, causing irritation and itchiness.

What are the possible causes of tinnitus during perimenopause?

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can have various causes, including nutrient deficiencies, viral infections, or other medical conditions. However, it could also be a sign of hormonal changes during perimenopause, especially a decline in estrogen.

Why does body odor change during perimenopause?

Changes in body odor can be attributed to hormonal fluctuations that affect the microbiome, the bacteria on the skin, mouth, vagina, and gut. These changes in bacteria can alter how a person smells, similar to the changes that happen during puberty.

How do hormones impact migraines during perimenopause?

Migraines can become more frequent or severe during perimenopause due to the fluctuations or decline in estrogen and progesterone. Some women may experience migraines in a cyclic pattern, tied to their menstrual cycle.

What is the connection between perimenopause and oral health?

Hormonal changes during perimenopause can disrupt the oral microbiome, leading to a dry mouth, burning sensations, and an increased risk of dental problems, as the body produces less saliva and nerves in the oral cavity are affected.

Why does joint pain occur during perimenopause?

Joint pain can result from the declining levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are crucial for bone and joint health. This leads to stiffness and pain in the joints as part of the hormonal fluctuations associated with perimenopause.

What causes heart palpitations during perimenopause?

Heart palpitations, or an irregular racing heartbeat, are often triggered by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormones affect the receptors in the heart, and when they fluctuate, it can lead to sensations of the heart racing or pounding.

How does perimenopause affect weight and metabolism?

During perimenopause, many women experience difficulty losing weight due to hormonal changes that lead to insulin resistance and altered cortisol levels. These metabolic changes can make it harder to maintain or lose weight despite healthy lifestyle habits.

What should a woman do if she experiences heart palpitations during perimenopause?

If heart palpitations occur, it's important to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying conditions like arrhythmias. While palpitations can be benign and related to hormonal fluctuations, they should still be evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially for those over 40.