Experts Reveal 22 Weird Symptoms Women Over 40 Experience—and What They Mean

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As you get older, your body changes. And you might start to experience unexpected symptoms. Sure, thinning hair and hot flashes are par for the course during your menopause years. But what if you suddenly have trouble sleeping or start feeling cold all the time? How do you know if what you’re experiencing is no big deal—or worth mentioning to your doctor, stat?

Sometimes, these symptoms are just signs of getting older. Aging offers all kinds of upsides, but it sneaks in some pesky surprises as well. Other times, they may signal a more serious health condition and warrant additional testing to understand what’s going on.

Here, experts share 22 weird health symptoms women over 40 often experience. They also decode exactly what those symptoms mean, so you know what next steps to take if you relate to anything on the list.

Weight Gain

After 40, your metabolism tends to slow down about 5% every decade. This makes it harder to lose weight and easier to gain weight—meaning you have to be more intentional about diet and exercise. “As your metabolism changes, your portion size and activity level play a much more significant factor in weight maintenance and weight loss,” explains Jessica Shepherd, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN. “The decrease in estrogen during menopause causes changes in metabolism, hormone maintenance, and heart health.”

Exhaustion

Feeling tired is nothing new. But as you age, you may get worn out faster. This is often due to hormonal changes from menopause, but since it’s associated with a range of other health conditions, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor. In the meantime, do what you can to get enough sleep. Taz Bhatia, M.D., a board-certified integrative medicine physician and women’s health expert, recommends 7 hours a night at least 5 nights a week. “Consistent sleep is a key factor in rejuvenating and replenishing the body,” she adds.

Chest Pain

Aches and pains happen, especially as you age. But if you experience pain in your chest, neck, jaw, upper stomach, or back—especially with fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath—talk to your doctor. These could be signs of cardiovascular disease. “This is the most common cause of death in American women,” says Kecia Gaither, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and women’s health expert. She recommends getting routine cardiovascular exams to catch the condition early.

Low Sex Drive

Many women in their 40s experience a low sex drive. And everything from hormonal changes to vaginal dryness could be the cause. Often, the solution is as simple as using an estrogen cream. But be sure to mention the symptom to your doctor, especially if it’s impacting your quality of life.

Swollen Breasts

When you turn 40, it’s time to start getting routine mammograms. But be on the lookout for common breast cancer symptoms between annual exams. “Breast and cervical cancer are the two most common cancers affecting women,” Dr. Gaither says. While it’s often normal to have swollen breasts before your period, breast swelling, pain, dimpling, or discharge can also be signs of breast cancer.

Headaches

The older you get, the more likely you are to develop high blood pressure, or hypertension. The condition often presents without any symptoms. But in some cases, you may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. Be sure to flag any of these symptoms to your doctor, in addition to getting your blood pressure checked at your annual exam.

Trouble Sleeping

Struggling with insomnia? You’re not alone. One study found that 20% of women aged 40-59 had trouble sleeping at least four nights a week. The culprit was thought to be menopause, because night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings can all affect your sleep patterns.

Stomach Cramps

Bloating, gas, and stomach cramps can occur for a variety of reasons. But if they start getting more common in your 40s, it’s probably because of—you guessed it—hormones. If you often experience digestive issues or stomach cramps when you’re on your period, you may experience the same thing during menopause. But since abdominal cramps are linked with many other health conditions, it’s worth mentioning the symptom to your doctor.

Peeing Constantly

If you constantly find yourself chugging water and running to the bathroom, you may want to mention it to a doctor. Increased thirst and urination can be signs of diabetes, especially if you’re experiencing fatigue and weakness too. As you age, your risk of developing type II diabetes increases, and being overweight makes the condition more likely, says Dr. Gaither.

Thinning Hair

Hair loss is mainly hereditary for both men and women, but hormones can play a role as well. Menopause often causes your estrogen levels to drop, making your hair thin, fall out, or take on a new texture. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned. They may be able to recommend a supplement or some other kind of treatment.

Heavy Periods

Although it sounds counterintuitive, heavy periods are actually a sign of menopause. Your fluctuating hormones can throw off your menstrual schedule, causing some of your periods to be heavier and last longer than others.

Feeling Cold All the Time

If you’re sweating less and struggling to stay warm, bring it up with your doctor—these could be signs of thyroid dysfunction. “Thyroid dysfunction is the most common hormonal imbalance in women,” Dr. Shepherd explains. Other symptoms include dry skin, thinning hair, fatigue, and weight gain.

Mood Swings

Women often deal with mood swings from puberty. But as menopause creeps up, the hormonal changes—and emotions that accompany them—can feel unbearable. Dr. Bhatia says learning how to manage stress is essential to maintaining your quality of life. “Stress drives cortisol, which drives disease,” she says. “Managing stress … is a skill that everyone needs to learn and practice to stay healthy.”

Vaginal Dryness

Caused by low levels of estrogen, vaginal dryness is incredibly common during middle age. If the dryness is bothering you, talk to your doctor. They can help you avoid products that cause irritation, and they may even recommend a prescription estrogen cream.

Anxiety or Depression

If you’re feeling worried, upset, or unlike yourself, mention it to your doctor. Your symptoms may be the result of hormonal changes during menopause, or they could signal a mental health condition, like anxiety or depression. Other conditions, like Alzheimer’s, can also cause you to feel anxious or depressed, Dr. Gaither says.

Fractured Bones

Women tend to lose bone density over time, which can lead to osteoporosis—a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. This makes your bones fragile and easy to break. And since osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms, a fracture or break may be the first sign you have it.

Brain Fog

If you’re struggling to concentrate and generally feeling out of it, you may have menopause to thank. But because brain fog is associated with a range of health conditions, it’s worth mentioning your brain fog to your doctor—especially if it’s persistent.

Trouble Seeing or Hearing

As you get older, you may not see or hear as well as you used to. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything dire, but it’s still worth mentioning to your doctor. Getting your sight and hearing checked annually is a great way to adapt to your changing needs and set yourself up for success.

Bleeding Between Periods

Spotting between periods isn’t unusual during menopause. But it can also be a sign of cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers affecting women. Other symptoms of cervical cancer include pelvic pain, discomfort during sex, and unusual discharge. Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Bhatia, and Dr. Gaither all recommend getting routine pap smears. And be sure to mention anything unusual to your doctor.

Hot Flashes

Suddenly feeling your skin flush, your palms get sweaty, and your face turn red is never fun. But hot flashes are a very normal part of menopause. About 75% of women experience them. And in some cases, they can cause your heart to race or make you feel dizzy. If your hot flashes last more than a few minutes or you consistently feel overheated, talk to your doctor—trouble cooling down can be a symptom of thyroid dysfunction.

Diarrhea or Constipation

While the occasional bout of diarrhea or constipation is probably nothing to worry about, experiencing either for more than a few days can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Since routine colonoscopies aren’t usually recommended until you turn 50, it’s worth mentioning concerning GI symptoms to your doctor any time you experience them.

Getting Sick All the Time

If you feel like you’re getting sick more than usual, you may not be imagining it. Our immune systems tend to grow weaker as we age, making us more likely to catch common colds and other infections.

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