A TV doctor has shared her top tips to combat nine lesser-known menopause symptoms that often go unspoken and untreated, following research revealing half of women who have been through the menopause (52%) opted to ‘carry on as usual’ despite severe discomfort.
The poll of 1,000 women who are menopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal found that three in 10 believed their symptoms were not worth bringing up. More than half (54%) felt they had no choice but to “get on with it” despite feeling unwell.
Impact on Daily Life
Discomfort interrupted sleep through the night (63%), concentration at work (32%), confidence in public (30%), and socialising (29%), according to OnePoll.com data. Symptoms included anxiety and panic (54%), brain fog (65%), joint stiffness (53%), digestive issues like bloating or nausea (42%), and skin changes (47%). Lesser-known effects included burning mouth syndrome (20%) and electric shock sensations (16%).
Dry eyes affected 42% of women, causing gritty (38%), itchy (31%), blurry (30%), and light-sensitive eyes (18%). For 18%, dry eyes were constant; 43% experienced them often. Those with dry eyes struggled with computer work (58%), reading (50%), driving (33%), and outdoor activities (33%).
Lack of Awareness
More than six in 10 (64%) said the most aggravating symptoms were those nobody warned them about, and 29% felt unprepared. This contributed to negative emotions: feeling emotionally flat (54%), less like themselves (54%), loss of motivation (49%), feeling overwhelmed (45%), self-doubt (42%), and social withdrawal (36%).
Dr Zoe Williams, resident doctor on This Morning, partnered with Specsavers to highlight support for dry eyes. She said: “Hormonal fluctuations, particularly drops in oestrogen, lead to changes throughout the body, affecting blood vessels, circulation, joint tissues, nerve signals, gut movement, sweat glands, and tear, saliva, and oil production. This causes symptoms from the familiar to the unexpected.”
Tips for Relief
Dr Williams advised: “For headaches or migraines, sleep and hydration are key, plus regular meals to stabilise glucose, and gentle neck and shoulder stretches. For tingling or burning sensations, switch to fragrance-free skincare and alcohol-free dental care. Anti-inflammatory foods like berries, leafy greens, and turmeric help joint pain; upping fibre eases digestive issues. For dry eyes, omega 3 fatty acids support tear quality.”
She added: “Menopause symptoms are often reduced to hot flushes and fatigue, but many women experience lesser-known symptoms. Our eyes are an area most wouldn’t associate with this stage. While one in three people suffer from dry eyes, in menopausal women it increases to one in two. If consistent, see an optometrist for personalised solutions like drops, eye compresses, or ZEST eyelid cleansing.”
