Not all menopausal symptoms are obvious and it’s important to be prepared and know what to look out for

Do you sometimes feel like there are insects crawling over your skin and you have an overwhelming urge to scratch it as a result? If so, don’t panic. You’re not going crazy and there are no insects.

This is, in fact a condition known as formication – a sensation that present with a painful, or a mild to severe itch. It’s a tactile hallucination, that has no physical cause, and is simply a symptom of menopause.

Of course, it’s not the only symptom, but while hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, low mood, feelings of depression, vaginal dryness and disorientation, are all commonly discussed, formication is not. Yet it’s estimated to effect 20 per cent of women during perimenopause and menopause.

There’s now a host of information available on how diet, exercise, mindfulness, HRT and health supplements such as Cleanmarine MenoMin can help. Rich in omega-3, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 and D3, as well as rosemary extract, soy isoflavones, folate and biotin, it can help you through perimenopause and menopause. But it’s also beneficial to know the symptoms, and particularly the more unusual ones.

A Burning Tongue
You might experience a metallic taste, dryness, soreness or tingling of your tongue, and extreme cases, the mouth feels scalded, and this creates a burning sensation. In fact, it’s the result of lowered oestrogen levels which activate the pain cells around the taste buds in the tongue. In some cases, it occurs in the lips and the roof of the mouth too and is thought to effect approximately 10 per cent of women.

Electric Shocks
Do you sometimes feel a mild to severe bolt of pain out of the blue, one that feels like an electric shock and typically happens just before a hot flush? While the cause of these shocks is not understood, they’re thought to be the result of neurons misfiring in the nervous system due to dropping hormone levels. Again, don’t worry! Electric-type shocks are simply a natural symptom of menopause.

Tinnitus
Hearing noises that aren’t there? Maybe a ringing sound; a click; or even whooshing? This is tinnitus and if your perimenopausal or menopausal, it’s most likely the result of changes in your hormone levels. An estimated 20 per cent of women experience tinnitus in the run up to and during the menopause and the exact reason is unknow.