Differentiating Between Menopause Symptoms From Other Health Issues

Menopause or Another Health Condition? How to Tell the Difference

Nore Women’s Health, with specialized clinics focusing on women’s health and wellness, focuses on identifying and treating menopause symptoms throughout its various stages:

• Perimenopause
• Menopause
• Postmenopause

This specialized knowledge allows them to help discern menopause-related changes from other health issues that may have similar presentations.

How Can You Differentiate Between Menopause Symptoms & Other Health Issues?

Menopause is a natural biological transition that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. However, distinguishing menopausal symptoms from other health issues can be challenging due to overlapping signs.

Timing and Age

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45-55, with an average onset around. If you experience menopausal-like symptoms significantly earlier or later than this range, it could indicate another underlying health issue such as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or other endocrine disorders.

Menstrual Changes

One of the hallmark signs of menopause is a change in menstrual patterns, which eventually leads to the cessation of periods. If you continue to have regular periods while experiencing menopausal symptoms, your symptoms may be linked to other conditions such as hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or thyroid dysfunction.

Symptom Clusters

Menopause typically presents as a combination of the following symptoms:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood changes (such as anxiety or depression)
• Cognitive issues (often referred to as “brain fog”)

If you are experiencing only one isolated symptom, it may be due to another condition rather than menopause.

Severity and Duration

Menopausal symptoms generally develop gradually and persist for months or years. A sudden onset of severe symptoms, especially without preceding menstrual irregularities, might suggest other health concerns, such as an infection, autoimmune disorder, or severe hormonal imbalance.

Unique Menopause Indicators

Some symptoms are more specific to menopause, including:

• Formication (a sensation of insects crawling on the skin)
• Changes in body odor due to hormonal fluctuations
• Tinnitus that may be linked to changing hormone levels

These symptoms may help differentiate menopause from other medical conditions.

 

Red Flags for Other Conditions

 

Certain symptoms may warrant further medical evaluation, as they could indicate serious health concerns:

• Severe headaches with nausea could suggest neurological issues such as migraines or even more severe conditions like a brain tumor.
• Unexplained weight loss or gain may be a sign of thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders.
• Extreme fatigue or joint pain could indicate autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Distinguishing Menopause Symptoms from Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

 

Differentiating between menopause symptoms and symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be challenging, as there is a significant overlap between the two conditions. This can lead to misdiagnosis or delays in identifying MS in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.

Shared Symptoms Between Menopause and MS

 

• Fatigue – Both menopause and MS can cause extreme tiredness.
• Hot Flashes & Heat Sensitivity – Hot flashes are common in menopause, but MS can also cause heat intolerance (Uhthoff’s phenomenon), which worsens symptoms.
• Brain Fog & Memory Issues – Cognitive difficulties, such as forgetfulness or trouble concentrating, occur in both conditions.
• Mood Changes – Depression, anxiety, and mood swings can be caused by hormonal changes in menopause and neurological effects in MS.
• Sleep Disturbances – Insomnia or poor-quality sleep is common in both.
• Bladder Issues – Frequent urination or incontinence can occur in both menopause and MS.
• Muscle Weakness & Pain – Generalized aches, pains, and muscle weakness can be related to hormonal changes or MS-related nerve damage.
• Tingling & Numbness – Menopause can sometimes cause temporary nerve issues due to hormonal shifts, while MS-related nerve damage leads to persistent or worsening tingling and numbness.

 

Key Differences

 

• Menopause symptoms are often hormonal and fluctuate over time, improving with menopause treatments such as hormone replacement therapies (HRT | BHRT) or lifestyle changes.
• MS symptoms are neurological and tend to progress, with episodes of worsening symptoms (relapses) or gradual deterioration in some types of MS. Symptoms that are more indicative of multiple sclerosis (MS) include vision problems, such as blurred vision or optic neuritis, which causes pain with eye movement. Persistent numbness or tingling in the extremities may also suggest MS rather than menopause. Issues with balance and coordination, along with muscle weakness or spasms, are common neurological symptoms of MS. Additionally, difficulty walking can be a sign of MS, especially if it worsens over time or occurs alongside other neurological issues.
• Menopause does not cause vision problems

 

Seeking Professional Help

 

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are due to menopause,  multiple sclerosis (MS) or other causes, several medical evaluations can help clarify the cause. A neurologist may recommend an MRI to check for MS lesions and spinal fluid analysis can confirm MS diagnosis, as these are a key indicator of the disease. Blood tests can also be useful in ruling out other possible causes of symptoms, while hormone level tests can confirm whether menopause is the underlying factor. Additionally, keeping a symptom diary that tracks patterns and potential triggers can provide valuable insights for doctors, making it easier to differentiate between the two conditions. If symptoms seem progressive, neurological (vision issues, loss of coordination, worsening numbness/tingling), or don’t improve with menopause treatments, MS or another neurological condition should be investigated. Remember, it’s possible to experience both MS and menopause simultaneously, which can exacerbate symptoms. A healthcare professional can help develop a tailored management plan to address your specific needs and improve your quality of life

Nore Women’s Health focuses specifically on menopause and perimenopause treatment and women’s wellness, with a team of experts who understand the complexities of menopause symptoms. Our providers and staff are trained to identify and treat a wide range of menopause-related issues through comprehensive evaluations and personalized care plans, ensuring that women receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate care.

Call NoreHealth at 678-802-8665 or Contact Us to book your appointment. Your healthier, happier future starts here.