Perimenopause and menopause bring a wide range of changes — some subtle, some shocking — that affect nearly every part of your body. Understanding what’s happening can help you spot patterns, take action, and get the care you deserve.
To make it easier, we’ve organized symptoms into categories with memorable names, so you can quickly find what’s happening to you — and track them daily or weekly with our downloadable tracker.
Period changes: Heaviness, timing, duration
PMS occurring outside of your period
These shifts can start years before your last period, signaling that your hormones are beginning to fluctuate.
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Heart palpitations or racing heart
These symptoms can disrupt sleep and daily life, making stress and fatigue worse.
Incontinence: leaks when coughing, laughing, or exercising
Urinary urgency or frequent UTIs
Dryness, burning, or irritation
Vaginal atrophy (tightness or discomfort during sex)
Changes in vaginal smell or discharge
Pubic hair thinning or greying
Pain during intercourse
Change in libido (increase or decrease)
Decreased sensation or difficulty achieving orgasm
Insomnia or difficulty staying asleep
Restless leg syndrome
Sleep apnea
Racing thoughts at night
Brain fog, memory lapses, and difficulty forming sentences
Loss of executive function (working memory, self-control)
Trouble focusing, analyzing numbers, or making decisions
Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety
Panic attacks or racing thoughts
Emotional extremes: crying spurts, bursts of energy, rage
Weight: Redistribution around the waist, increased visceral fat, weight gain
Musculoskeletal issues: Joint pain, stiffness, muscle fatigue, back pain, frozen shoulder
Hair loss, thinning, or dryness; unwanted facial hair
Skin: dry, wrinkled, thinner, or more sensitive
Nails: brittle or dry
Eyes: dry, blurry, sensitive to light
Other: rashes, acne, tingling skin, burning sensations
Feeling full quickly
Nausea, food intolerances
Breast tenderness or pain
Dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus
Heart palpitations
Headaches or migraines
Slow-healing cuts or dental problems
Tingling, numbness, or electric shock sensations
Tracking helps you:
Identify patterns or triggers
Monitor interventions (diet, exercise, supplements, hormone therapy)
Provide accurate information to your healthcare provider
Feel empowered and proactive about your health
We’ve created a free, printable tracker so you can log:
Daily symptoms
Intensity (mild, moderate, severe)
Triggers or lifestyle notes
Mood, sleep, and energy levels
Download Your Free Menopause Symptom Tracker → Symptom Tracker
Tracking your symptoms gives you clarity, control, and confidence. Menopause is a natural transition — but you don’t have to navigate it blindly. With insight, tools, and the right care, you can reclaim your health and your life.