Dr Zoe Williams, resident doctor on This Morning, has highlighted nine unexpected menopause symptoms that are often overlooked, including dry eyes, burning tongue, tingling hands and feet, and itchy or crawling skin. She partnered with Specsavers to raise awareness and offer practical advice.
Research Reveals Widespread Lack of Awareness
A poll of 1,000 women who are menopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal found that less than a quarter (23%) were aware that dry eyes were a symptom. Only 20% knew about burning mouth syndrome, and 16% recognized electric shock sensations throughout the body. More than six in 10 women said menopause symptoms impacted their sleep, and 32% reported difficulty focusing at work.
Dr Williams’ Advice for Managing Symptoms
Dr Williams explained that hormonal fluctuations, particularly drops in oestrogen, cause changes throughout the body affecting blood vessels, circulation, joints, nerve signals, gut movement, sweat glands, and tear production. She recommended: “If you’re prone to headaches or migraines, sleep and hydration are key – but in addition, regular meals will help to keep glucose levels stable, while gentle neck and shoulder stretches can ease muscle tension.” For tingling or burning sensations, she suggested switching to fragrance-free skincare and alcohol-free dental care. Anti-inflammatory foods like berries, leafy greens, and turmeric can help with joint pain, while increasing fibre intake eases digestive issues. For dry eyes, omega-3 fatty acids can support tear quality.
Impact on Daily Life and Emotions
The research showed that more than half (52%) of women chose to “carry on as usual” despite discomfort, with 54% feeling they had no choice but to “get on with it.” Symptoms affected confidence (30%), ability to socialise (29%), and caused negative emotions such as feeling emotionally flat (54%) and less like themselves (54%). Other common symptoms included anxiety or panic (54%), brain fog (65%), joint stiffness (53%), digestive issues (42%), and skin changes (47%). Dry eyes affected 42% of women, causing gritty (38%), itchy (31%), blurry (30%), and light-sensitive (18%) eyes. For 18%, dry eyes were a constant irritation.
Everyday Struggles with Dry Eyes
Among those with dry eyes, 58% struggled with computer work, 50% with reading, 33% with driving, and 33% with outdoor activities due to sunlight or wind. Dr Williams noted that while one in three people suffer from dry eyes, in menopausal women this increases to one in two. She advised seeing an optometrist for personalised solutions such as drops, eye compresses, or the ZEST eyelid cleansing procedure.
