Book Now
Book Now
Physical symptoms of menopause
& how your body can change
The stages of the menopause transition can cause a wide range of physical symptoms. These changes happen because hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone affect many parts of the body, including the heart, skin, hair, joints, muscles and metabolism.
Some physical symptoms are well known, such as hot flushes and night sweats, while others like joint pain, hair loss or heart palpitations can be unexpected.
Understanding why these symptoms happen can make them less worrying and easier to manage.
Body-wide changes explained. Clarity in what you’re feeling.
What this page covers
-
heart palpitations during menopause
-
hair loss and female pattern hair loss
-
skin changes and dry skin
-
hot flushes and night sweats
-
weight gain and increased belly fat
-
joint pain and muscle aches
Heart palpitations during menopause
Some women experience heart palpitations during their menopause transition. Palpitations may feel like a racing heart, skipped beats or a fluttering sensation in the chest.
Hormonal changes can affect the cardiovascular system and the nervous system, which can lead to these sensations. Palpitations are common during perimenopause but should always be discussed with a doctor if they are new, severe or associated with dizziness or chest pain.
Hair loss during menopause
Hair thinning or hair loss can occur during perimenopause and menopause. Hormonal changes can affect hair growth cycles, which may lead to thinning hair, increased shedding or changes in hair texture.
Some women develop female pattern hair loss after menopause, which usually causes thinning over the top of the scalp rather than complete hair loss.
Skin changes and dry skin during the stages of menopause
The skin often changes during the stages of menopause. Many women notice that their skin becomes drier, thinner or less elastic.
​
Some women may also notice areas of increased pigmentation, such as dark patches or uneven skin tone, which can develop as hormonal changes influence melanin production.
Oestrogen plays an important role in skin hydration, collagen production and skin thickness. As oestrogen levels fall, skin may become more sensitive, dry or prone to irritation.
Hot flushes and night sweats during menopause
Hot flushes and night sweats are some of the most well-known symptoms of menopause. They are caused by hormonal changes affecting the body’s temperature regulation.
Hot flushes usually cause a sudden feeling of heat, flushing of the skin and sometimes sweating or a rapid heartbeat. Night sweats are hot flushes that occur during sleep and can significantly affect how you achieve restorative sleep quality.
Weight gain and belly fat during menopause
Many women notice weight gain during perimenopause and menopause, particularly around the abdomen. Hormonal changes, ageing, muscle loss and changes in metabolism can all contribute to weight changes.
Fat distribution often changes during menopause, leading to increased abdominal fat even if overall weight does not change significantly.
Joint pain and muscle aches during menopause
Joint pain and muscle aches are common but often overlooked symptoms of menopause. Some women experience stiffness, aching joints or muscle soreness during perimenopause and menopause.
Hormonal changes, inflammation and changes in muscle mass may all contribute to these symptoms.
Whole body perspective. Reassurance in the changes.
Common questions about physical symptoms of menopause
Menopause can affect many parts of the body, often in ways that feel unexpected. These changes are linked to hormone shifts and can vary from person to person. These answers provide a clear starting point, with more detailed information available on each topic.
Why do heart palpitations happen during menopause?
Heart palpitations can be linked to hormonal changes affecting the heart and nervous system.
Why does hair loss happen during menopause?
Hormonal changes can affect hair growth cycles and lead to thinning hair.
What is female pattern hair loss after menopause?
Female pattern hair loss usually causes thinning over the top of the scalp after menopause.
What skin changes happen during menopause?
Skin may become drier, thinner and less elastic due to lower oestrogen levels.
Why does dry skin happen during menopause?
Dry skin is common because oestrogen helps maintain skin hydration.
Why do hot flushes happen during menopause?
Hot flushes are caused by hormonal changes affecting temperature regulation.
Why do night sweats happen during menopause?
Night sweats are hot flushes that occur during sleep.
Why does weight gain happen during menopause?
Weight gain during menopause is linked to hormonal changes and metabolism changes.
Why does belly fat increase during menopause?
Hormonal changes can cause fat distribution to shift towards the abdomen.
Why do joint pains happen during menopause?
Joint pain can be linked to hormonal changes and inflammation.
Why do muscle aches happen during menopause?
Muscle aches may be related to hormonal changes and muscle mass changes.
How physical symptoms fit into the menopause transition
Menopause affects the whole body, not just periods and hot flushes. Hormones influence many systems including the skin, hair, joints, muscles, heart and metabolism.
This is why physical symptoms come and go throughout the entire hormonal transition.
Perimenopause → Menopause milestone → Postmenopause
Understanding physical changes during menopause
Physical symptoms during menopause are common and can affect many different parts of the body. Some symptoms are temporary and improve over time, while others may persist after menopause.
Understanding these physical changes can make them less worrying, improve preparedness for menopause, and highlight when a menopause consultation may be beneficial.