Weird Symptoms No One Tells You About During Menopause

Because it’s not just about hot flashes and mood swings…

Let’s be real—when we were younger, menopause sounded like one of those far-off things our moms or aunts went through. We knew about hot flashes. We knew there might be mood swings. Maybe we even expected a few gray hairs and a little weight gain.

But what nobody told us was that menopause could bring a whole parade of weird, unexpected, and just plain frustrating symptoms.

As someone who’s walked through this journey myself—and now works with other women going through the same thing—I want to talk about the stuff that often gets brushed aside. The things that make women feel like they’re going crazy… or like they’re the only ones dealing with it.

Spoiler alert: you’re not alone. And no, you’re not making it up.

Here are some of the weird, lesser-known menopause symptoms I wish someone had warned me about:

1. Itchy, Crawly Skin (What even IS this?)

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the skin on your arms or chest feels like it’s crawling—or you have this weird itchiness that won’t go away even though there’s nothing there. This is called formication, and it’s a real menopause symptom. As estrogen drops, your skin gets thinner and drier, which can mess with your nerve endings.

Try this: Look for clean, nourishing body oils (I love ones with jojoba or evening primrose), stay super hydrated, and talk to your health practitioner about natural ways to support your estrogen levels.

2. Electric Shock Sensations

I thought I was losing my mind the first time I felt this—tiny zaps, almost like static electricity in my head or arms. It’s not super common, but I hear about it just enough to know it’s a thing. It’s believed to be related to fluctuating estrogen affecting your nervous system.

You're not broken. It’s weird, it’s unsettling, but it’s not dangerous. Tracking symptoms and reducing inflammation can help calm your system down.

3. Burning Tongue or Mouth

Yep. Like spicy food burn—but when you haven’t eaten anything. Some women even describe it as a metallic taste or dryness in the mouth that just won’t go away.

Estrogen plays a role in saliva production, and when levels shift, it can lead to changes in the mouth, including burning mouth syndrome. Who knew?!

4. Body Odor Changes (and not the fun kind)

Your signature scent might be different—and not in a good way. You may notice more pungent body odor, especially after stress or exercise. Hormone fluctuations change how your body detoxes and how your sweat glands work.  Mine smelled like vinegar for months.

Pro tip: This is a great time to explore non-toxic deodorants and support your detox pathways (yes, that gut-brain connection matters here too!).

5. Tingling Hands and Feet

Another “wait… what?” symptom. Tingling, pins, and needles, or even numbness in the extremities can show up, often due to reduced circulation or nerve sensitivity.

This is why movement, hydration, and good circulation support are key.

6. Phantom Smells (Did something just burn?)

Some women report smelling things that aren’t there—smoke, chemicals, something burning. It can be a result of hormonal changes affecting your olfactory senses. And yep, it’s disorienting.

If this is happening frequently or impacting your daily life, it’s always a good idea to check in with a medical professional just to rule out other causes.

7. Sudden Bouts of Rage or Tearfulness (Zero to 100 Real Quick)

Okay, this one might not be that weird… but the intensity? That part can feel surprising.

One minute you're fine, the next you want to scream at the toaster or cry because someone left the cap off the toothpaste. These emotional surges aren’t weakness—they’re often tied to dropping progesterone and overstimulated adrenals.

It’s not just stress—it’s your hormones. Supporting your nervous system and reducing inflammation in the gut-brain axis can help here in a big way.

8. Tinnitus or Ringing in the Ears

This one shocked me. Several women I’ve worked with have developed persistent ear ringing that no ENT could explain. Surprise—it’s sometimes linked to hormone changes, especially in the late stages of perimenopause. Mine itched - like crazy.  So much that it would wake me up in the middle of the night.

So… Why Does No One Talk About This?

Because too many women have been told that these symptoms are “just in their head,” or that it’s just part of aging and to suck it up. But the truth is, menopause affects every part of your body—from your nervous system to your skin, brain, digestion, and emotions.

You deserve to understand what’s happening and to feel empowered—not ashamed or confused.

What You Can Do

Here’s what helped me and what I now help other women do:

• Track symptoms (you’ll start to notice patterns—awareness is power)

• Support the gut-brain axis

• Focus on hormone-friendly nutrition and movement

• Create a personalized plan that works with your body, not against it

And most importantly—don’t do it alone

Ready for real support on this journey?

If these symptoms are hitting a little too close to home and you're ready to feel more clear, calm, and like yourself again—I’d love to help.

As a certified integrative health coach specializing in perimenopause and menopause, I offer 1:1 coaching to help women uncover the root causes of their symptoms and create a plan that feels realistic, nourishing, and sustainable.

Together, we work to:

• Restore energy

• Reduce brain fog and overwhelm

• Support natural hormone balance

• And create real momentum toward feeling amazing again

Want to learn more or book a free discovery session?

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You don’t have to figure this all out alone.

Let’s lift the fog, one layer at a time.

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The Menopause Symptom Decoder