Health

Menopause symptoms every woman should know

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2 years ago

May 16, 2024

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By Francesca Hangeior.

So, you’re already well aware that menopause typically goes hand-in-hand with a host of pesky symptoms, including mood changes, hot flashes and dry-down-there private parts (hey, just ask Drew Barrymore).

And maybe you’ve even heard that it can also cause trouble sleeping. But are you familiar with some of the lesser-known and unusual menopause symptoms, like burning mouth syndrome and tinnitus? Here’s everything you need to know.

Symptoms of Menopause

FIRST, WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

In addition to the weird stuff (more on that later), there are common symptoms associated with menopause, too. It all starts with irregular periods, which will become less frequent over time and ultimately cease.

Once changes to menstruation start, it’s an indication that estrogen levels are dropping (permanently) and you’re liable to experience a number of other physical symptoms as a result—including hot flashes, night sweats, chills, vaginal dryness (and discomfort during sex because of it), weight gain due to slowing metabolism, difficulty sleeping and mood changes (irritability and random crying have been known to occur). Needless to say, none of this sounds very fun—but it is par for the course and, fortunately, these symptoms do most often become milder or even disappear in time.

10 UNUSUAL (AND LESSER-KNOWN) SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

And now, without further ado, here are the truly bizarre symptoms you likely haven’t heard of, but might want to brace yourself for.

BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME

Cat got your tongue? Nope, it’s probably Burning Mouth Syndrome—a not very well understood, but decidedly unpleasant menopause and postmenopause symptom that can cause “a painful, burning sensation in the tongue, lips, gums, or other parts of the mouth, which can be exacerbated by hot or spicy foods.” If you’re suffering from BMS, you won’t be able to see anything weird in your mouth—this syndrome is characterized by a sensation that occurs in the absence of lesions or other oral abnormalities—but you certainly will feel it.

If you’re experiencing this one, there are a number of things you can do to get some relief: Sucking on ice chips and avoiding acidic foods is a good place to start, but Mayo Clinic medical experts say that stubborn cases often respond to treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy, alpha-lipoic acid supplements, antidepressants or, ironically, capsaicin (among other things).

ELECTRIC SHOCK SENSATIONS

Some women experience sudden, sharp sensations that feel like electric shocks or jolts in various parts of the body, including the head, neck and limbs.” Pretty spooky, right? There’s very little research into Electric Shock Sensation (ESS) but women who experience it describe it as a “snap, crackle, pop” under the skin that often immediately precedes the infamous menopause symptom known as a hot flash. ESS is most likely triggered by hormonal fluctuations (duh) and, though quite bizarre, this harmless short-lived zap isn’t thought to be a condition that requires treatment, nor is it a cause for concern.

ITCHY SKIN

Decreased estrogen levels cause dry, itchy skin—and sometimes even the onset of eczema, rashes and hives—in many menopausal women. For more severe presentations, your physician might prescribe topical corticosteroids, but many women can find relief by taking warm, rather than piping hot, showers and generously applying over the counter moisturizers designed to protect the delicate barrier of aging skin.

BODY ODOR CHANGES

Menopause can cause changes in body odor—ranging from noticeably more potent to just plain different—due to changes in hormonal and metabolic activity, explains Dr. Afzal. Alas, there’s not much you can do about it besides embrace your new signature scent or stock up on strong deodorant.

INCREASED ANXIETY AND/OR DEPRESSION

If you’re feeling extra blue these days, you can blame menopause for that, too. According to research published in Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, “vulnerability to depression is increased across the menopause transition and in the early years after the final menstrual period.” Indeed, Dr. Afzal confirms that “hormonal fluctuations during menopause can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, which can be debilitating for some women.” Anxiety and depression don’t have to be the new normal, though—antidepressants and other psych meds can be as effective for menopausal women as they are for the rest of the population, and behavioral interventions, including different modes of therapy, can go a long way to improving mental health symptoms, with or without medication.

HEART PALPITATIONS

Don’t be alarmed if your heart skips a beat, either: The expert tells us that hormonal fluctuations (i.e., the force behind all menopausal woes) can cause irregular heartbeats or palpitations, which are felt as an unusually rapid heart rate, in some women. According to the British Heart Foundation, these palpitations and irregularities are typically harmless and most often occur during hot flashes. Alas, reduced estrogen levels during menopause are also associated with an increased risk of heart disease, since said hormone plays an important role in protecting the arteries of a woman’s heart. As such, women who are experiencing this menopause-related symptom needn’t panic—after all, that won’t help your heart rate—but it’s wise to check in with your doctor and keep a closer eye on your heart health going forward, nevertheless.

JOINT PAIN

Hormone fluctuations, inflammation and other factors can contribute to joint pain in menopausal women. This unpleasant condition is called arthralgia, and although the causes are hard to pin down, a 2010 review published in Maturitas confirms that menopausal women are at considerably higher risk, and that decreased estrogen is likely to blame for exacerbating the symptoms of joint stiffness and pain. Fortunately, the same study suggests that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is proven to be effective at relieving arthralgia in the menopausal population, so it’s a treatment worth considering if you’re experiencing vasomotor symptoms that are particularly disruptive or distressing.

HAIR LOSS

In case you missed it, menopause can cause hair loss. Indeed, the combination of plummeting estrogen and progesterone levels that occurs during menopause “can cause hair to become thinner, drier, and more brittle, leading to hair loss or breakage. So, how to restore your lackluster locks to their former glory, you ask? For starters, there are a host of shampoos that boast hair-strengthening and volume boosting benefits. There are also OTC medicated treatments that encourage hair growth and even a medical procedure involving platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections that you can seek if the former options don’t deliver the desired results.

TINNITUS

Menopause can cause ringing or buzzing in the ears, which is known as tinnitus,” and yes, it can be a very annoying distraction to the unlucky women who experience this symptom. On the bright side, a 2018 nationwide study published in Oncotarget acknowledged the increased risk of tinnitus among menopausal women and identified Hormone Replacement Therapy (once again) as a treatment that may provide potential benefits in the management and prevention of the condition—so if this menopause-related hearing change has been plaguing you, it might be worth exploring the option with your doctor.

INCREASED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Changes in the urinary tract during menopause can make women more susceptible to UTIs, the expert tells us, which can cause painful urination, frequent urination and other unpleasant symptoms. If you’re experiencing discomfort when urinating or a constant urge to go (and little relief for your effort), you should definitely inform your doctor, as antibiotics are the treatment of choice for UTIs.

Health

Couple Told They Would ‘Never’ Conceive Defy Medical Odds, Welcome Healthy Triplets

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

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A couple who were told by fertility specialists that they would most likely never conceive naturally have celebrated the birth of triplets, describing the children as nothing short of miraculous.

Marina and Bishoy Salib, a married couple from England, said they were left heartbroken in 2024 after doctors informed them that their chances of having biological children together were extremely slim. Despite the discouraging prognosis, they refused to give up hope. Just over a year later, they welcomed three healthy babies.

Their extraordinary journey began after months of unsuccessful attempts to start a family. Seeking medical advice, Marina, now 30, underwent an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test in August 2024. The test measures the level of anti-Müllerian hormone in the body, which is commonly used as an indicator of a woman’s ovarian reserve, or the number of eggs remaining.

According to the results, Marina had a significantly diminished ovarian reserve, leading specialists to conclude that natural conception would be highly unlikely.

Speaking in an interview with SWNS, Bishoy, 33, recalled the devastating consultation.

“They told us that my wife couldn’t get pregnant,” he said. “When we saw the fertility specialist, he made it clear that there was no chance for her to conceive naturally.”

The diagnosis deeply affected Marina, who struggled emotionally with the news.

Bishoy said watching his wife cope with the disappointment was one of the most difficult periods of their marriage.

“She was heartbroken and cried a lot. She kept asking herself why she couldn’t have children,” he said.

Although medical professionals suggested using an egg donor as the most realistic option for pregnancy, the couple said the recommendation conflicted with their deeply held religious beliefs as members of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

“I told the specialist that we are Christians and we believe in miracles,” Bishoy explained. “Even our general practitioner repeated that egg donation was the only possible route, but we remained committed to our faith.”

While remaining open to adoption if necessary, the couple continued praying and hoping for a miracle while trying to conceive naturally.

Their persistence paid off unexpectedly on May 19, 2025.

According to Bishoy, he felt an unexplained urge to ask Marina to take a pregnancy test, even though both of them believed the outcome would be negative.

“She looked at me and asked why she should even bother taking the test after being told she wasn’t producing enough eggs,” he recalled. “Honestly, I still don’t know why I insisted.”

To their amazement, the test came back positive.

Marina was overwhelmed with emotion, unable to believe what she was seeing.

“She couldn’t even stand. She was shaking, laughing and crying at the same time,” Bishoy said.

Still convinced there had been a mistake, Marina reportedly took several more pregnancy tests to confirm the result before finally calling her husband to share the life-changing news.

The surprises did not end there.

During a subsequent hospital appointment, doctors informed the couple that they were not expecting one baby, but three.

On November 28, 2025, Marina gave birth to non-identical triplets a daughter named Miracle and two sons, Levi and Suriel.

Looking back on their remarkable journey, Bishoy said the children are a constant reminder that hope can endure even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances.

The couple now describe their son and daughter as their “miracles,” saying their experience has strengthened both their faith and appreciation for parenthood after overcoming what once appeared to be insurmountable odds.

Health

Ebola deaths exceed 300 in DR Congo – Heath authorities

Published

7 days ago

June 27, 2026

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The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 300 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a little over one month after it was declared, health authorities said on Friday.

The deadly viral disease, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, can cause severe bleeding and organ failure.

A total of 304 people in the DRC have now died of the virus, from 1,115 confirmed infections since the outbreak was detected on May 15, giving a mortality rate of 26.3 percent, the National Public Health Institute (INSP) said.

This is a jump from the 202 deaths confirmed on June 18 by the African Union’s health agency, from 875 confirmed infections — a mortality rate of 23 percent.

The Red Cross warned last week that the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever has yet to peak and could take up to a year to contain.

In some rare good news, the DRC authorities announced in early June that several Ebola patients had been treated and cured.

Responders to the epidemic, the 17th to hit the vast, unstable central African country, face towering challenges.

No approved vaccines or treatments exist for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus responsible for the latest outbreak to hit the DRC, which is one of the world’s poorest countries.

The three affected provinces in eastern DRC — Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu — have been plagued for three decades by conflict and mass displacement, complicating the response.

The outbreak has spread to neighbouring Uganda, where containment measures have been effective.

Kampala has reported 20 confirmed cases nationwide, including two deaths since May 15. Most of those infected are Congolese nationals who have travelled to Uganda.

On Wednesday, France reported the outbreak’s first confirmed case of Ebola outside Africa — a Congolese doctor who was working in the DRC for the international medical aid NGO ALIMA.

The World Health Organization says there is minimal risk of the virus spreading in Europe and there is no need for travel restrictions.

Air France, on which the doctor flew back to France, has nevertheless suspended all flights to Kinshasa for several days.

– Ituri –

The vast majority of cases in the DRC have been detected in Ituri.

The mineral-rich province is plagued with unrest from a string of rival armed groups, and frequent population movements favour the spread of the disease.

More than 91 percent of all infections have been registered in the provincial capital, Bunia, and more than 82 percent of all deaths.

Efforts to contain the virus have been ratcheted up in Ituri.

But healthcare facilities -– which often operate with limited resources — still lack basic equipment and supplies, such as personal protective equipment and chlorine.

Many clinics set up by the WHO and aid agencies are close to full, the country’s public health agency said.

At least 78 healthcare workers have been infected with the virus, and 18 have died, it added.

Medical and aid workers also have to contend with deep mistrust from some local communities.

Some families have demanded that hospitals hand over the bodies of the deceased, not realising that touching the body puts them at risk of contamination.

The reluctance of some families to allow post-mortem examinations on the victims is also leading to an underestimation of the number of cases, officials said.

AFP

Health

DR Congo Ebola outbreak tops 1,000 cases, kills 254

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

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More than 1,000 Ebola infections have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the latest outbreak has killed more than 250 people, official figures showed Monday.

The country’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP) confirmed 1,003 cases and 254 deaths, with a fatality rate of 25 percent.

The latest outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic fever was declared on May 15.

Almost all cases are in Ituri province in the northeast, a conflict-weary region plagued by armed groups.

In total, three provinces have been affected: Ituri, neighbouring North Kivu and South Kivu, home to around 15 million people.

The virus has also spread to neighbouring Uganda, where the World Health Organization has recorded 20 cases and two deaths, though Kampala said the situation was “under control” earlier this month.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment.

Existing Ebola vaccines, developed between 2018 and 2019, are only effective against the Zaire strain, which caused previous major outbreaks.

The World Health Organization has declared an international public health emergency, warning the outbreak could last months.

“The outbreak was declared around two months after the first suspected deaths were reported… During that time, the disease spread unchecked in ways we still don’t fully understand,” an international aid group representative told AFP, speaking anonymously.

AFP