When Should I Talk To My Doctor About My Menopause Symptoms?

During menopause, your hormones are raging as your body makes the transition from being reproductive to infertile. Many of the symptoms you might be having are new experiences for your body. You might experience hot flashes, fatigue, headaches, vaginal dryness and a loss of libido, amongst a whole host of never-felt-before bodily sensations.

With so many changes and new experiences, it can be confusing to know what's normal, and what isn’t. It can be difficult to know whether an ache or pain is a symptom of menopause, or if it needs medical attention. It is important to be aware of the common symptoms of menopause, and know when it is appropriate to consult a doctor. Read on to learn 6 key symptoms that you can expect from menopause, and 6 moments when it might be a good idea to seek medical help.

6 Moments to Speak to Your Doctor

You should speak to your doctor about your menopause symptoms when:

Considering Treatments

There are a number of treatments available for menopause symptoms. These range from changes you can make in your day-to-day life, to herbal supplements, and hormone replacement therapy. Deciding which one is right for you can be overwhelming. Speaking to your doctor might help you reach your decision.

Side effects 

Different people's bodies react differently to different treatments. If you find that your symptoms change for the worse, or you experience side effects such as swelling, rashes or headaches, see your doctor.

Unexpected symptoms

The six symptoms listed above are the most common symptoms of menopause. However, there are many others, including irritability, anxiety, dizziness and fatigue. If you experience a particularly unusual pain or sensation, that doesn't cohere with the more common menopausal symptoms, seek medical advice.

Extreme physical symptoms

Women suffer physical menopausal symptoms to varying degrees. Some will barely notice a hot to varying degrees. Some will barely notice a hot flash, while in other cases a hot flash will reduce a woman to a dithering, sweaty mess. If you find that your menopausal symptoms are particularly intense and you are finding them difficult to cope with, speak to your doctor.

Extreme emotional symptoms

As with physical menopausal symptoms, the emotional symptoms of menopause can occur to varying levels. Mood swings, anxiety and irritability are normal symptoms of menopause. However, they can impact your relations with the people around you. If you find that you cannot control your emotional menopausal symptoms, and that it is damaging your quality of life, you might want to seek medical help.

Ongoing symptoms

The length of menopause varies from woman to woman. The transition is considered complete one year after the woman's last period. Some symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and loss of libido, might continue into post menopause. However, periods will not continue, so if you experience bleeding more than 12 months after your last period, you should see a doctor.