Perimenopause / Menopause
Symptoms Checklist
This checklist was created for you to track your symptoms in order to:
- assess worsening symptom
- see if your symptoms are improving
- discuss with your physician.
The goal is to have this tool help you manage and discuss your needs during the menopausal transition -- so that YOU are empowered and informed to make the best choices for YOUR body
Created by Dr. Margaret Towolawi
Family Medicine Physician
Lifestyle Medicine Physician
| SYMPTOMS | NEVER | SOMETIMES | OFTEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Allergies: New allergies or worsening of existing ones. It's hard to quantify this specifically related to menopause. | |||
| 2Anxiety: Overly worried or tense, feeling stressed out, panicky, overwhelmed | |||
| 3Bloating: Swelling in the abdominal area, often caused by gas or fluid. | |||
| 4Body Odor: Alterations in personal scent. | |||
| 5Brain Fog: Difficulty focusing, forgetful, poor word retrieval, easily distracted, feeling out of it | |||
| 6Breast Pain: Tenderness, soreness, or discomfort in the breasts. | |||
| 7Burning Mouth: Sensation of burning in the mouth or tongue. An estimated 10-40% of women may experience this. | |||
| 8Depression: Feeling low or hopeless; loss of interest in things once enjoyed; easily fatigued, increased mood swings; small tasks take great energy, feeling overwhelmed | |||
| 9Difficulty Concentrating: Issues with focus and memory. An estimated 60% of women may experience this. | |||
| 10Digestive Problems: Changes in gastrointestinal function, including gas, indigestion, and nausea. It's hard to quantify this specifically related to menopause. | |||
| 11Dizziness: Feeling unsteady or loss of balance. | |||
| 12Dry Skin: In menopause, the skin loses some ability to hold water, so it can get quite dry. Issues with skin are common in most women at menopause. | |||
| 13Electric Shocks: A brief and usually mild sensation resembling an electric shock under the skin or in the muscles. | |||
| 14Fatigue: Low energy, tire easily especially around abdomen and thighs; feeling bloated | |||
| 15Headaches and/or Migraines: Head pain, often intense or throbbing, sometimes to the point of debilitation, nausea; light and/or noise sensitivity | |||
| 16Heart Palpitations: Racing, skipping, or fluttering heartbeat. | |||
| 17Hot Flashes / Night Sweats: Intense spreading heat, usually across the chest, neck, or face; excessive sweating; racing heart | |||
| 18Incontinence: Urinary leaks when laughing or coughing, loss of bladder control | |||
| 19Irregular Periods: Changes in frequency, duration, and flow. Most women will experience this symptom | |||
| 20Irritability: Easily frustrated or angered. It's unclear how many women experience irritability specifically due to menopause. | |||
| 21Itchy Skin: Pruritus or itching skin. An estimated 25-50% of women may experience this. | |||
| 22Joint Pain: Aches, inflammation, and soreness in any joint. An estimated 50-60% of women may experience joint pain. | |||
| 23Low Libido: Diminished sex drive, difficulty feeling aroused | |||
| 24Painful Sex: Vaginal dryness or tightness; burning in the vagina or vulva before, during, or after intercourse | |||
| 25Period Changes: Lighter or heavier blood flow, shorter or longer cycles, entirely skipped cycles | |||
| 26Skin and/or Hair Changes: Dry, itchy, skin; thinning or coarsening hair; new facial hair; appearance of dark spots | |||
| 27Sleep Issues: Difficulty falling or remaining asleep; tossing, turning, or fitful sleep | |||
| 28Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Bacterial infection with symptoms that include frequent urination, burning, change in the color or odor of urine, pain in the pelvic region, fever, and/or nausea | |||
| 29Weight Gain: Increased weight, especially around abdomen and thighs; feeling bloated |