While nausea is often associated with pregnancy, the link between menopause and nausea is less widely acknowledged. However, hormonal fluctuations during menopause can also lead to feelings of nausea, symptoms, or faintness. But how exactly does this occur? And what can be done to ease the nausea?
I often feel nauseous. Not severe, I-need-to-throw-up nausea, but a queasy and faint feeling. It gets worse when I’ve had a bad night’s sleep. Reducing stress helps a lot. –
Many women experience nausea in the early stages of menopause. Sometimes it’s a mild queasiness that lingers for days, while other times it’s so intense that you may vomit or feel like staying in bed all day. Generally, these symptoms gradually diminish after menopause.
What exactly happens in your body to cause nausea or vomiting isn’t entirely clear. However, there is strong evidence that hormonal fluctuations play a role, much like how hormones during pregnancy or just before your period can cause (morning) sickness.
The way hormones fluctuate differs depending on the phase. During menopause, hormone levels decrease, whereas during pregnancy, they surge (which is why morning sickness is more common then). A drop in oestrogen levels is likely the cause of nausea or vomiting during menopause. Additionally, a rise in progesterone levels is linked to digestive issues, which can worsen nausea.
Other menopause symptoms, such as headaches, migraines, dizziness, and stress, can also play a role.
Hot flushes are also said to cause nausea, but what actually happens is that hot flushes can make you feel tense or anxious, which can trigger nausea.
Nausea or vomiting can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as hormone replacement therapy and antidepressants. In particular, stopping or tapering off antidepressants can lead to nausea. This is important to note, as it’s not uncommon for women to use antidepressants during menopause due to mental health concerns.
There are various ways to effectively manage nausea. You can support your body with healthy nutrition, adequate exercise, and rest. Supplements, medications, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also provide relief.
Now that I know it’s caused by menopause, I also know what I can do to reduce the nausea.
It can be reassuring to know that the nausea is caused by menopause (and that nothing more serious is wrong). Are hormones playing a role? Then the symptoms often resolve on their own over time. In the meantime, taking good care of yourself can help minimise the discomfort. Here’s what might help:
During menopause, your body undergoes changes in how it produces energy, builds muscle, and repairs skin. You can naturally support these processes with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause. Supplements can also target specific symptoms, such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and urinary tract infections.
The effectiveness of supplements depends on factors such as your lifestyle and health, and it can vary from person to person. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Therefore, choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.
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