Conditions that can be mistaken for menopause
Your menopausal symptom could actually be due to illness
Menopause is associated with a number of different symptoms. Many women complain about a general malaise, saying that they don't quite feel themselves or that they feel sluggish. However, it is extremely risky to self-diagnose and assume that menopause is the cause of the fatigue that you are feeling.
This is because menopause generally occurs during the time of life when a woman can develop a number of lifestyle diseases.
Menopause is not the only cause of menstrual irregularities. Irregular periods may indicate other unidentified conditions. Women whose menstrual cycle has become irregular or are experiencing general malaise should visit their OB/GYN or family doctor for an examination. Symptoms that are assumed to be caused by menopause could, in fact, be masking other conditions.
Take headaches and/or dizziness seriously
Some women say that they suffer from headaches and/or dizziness during menopause, or that their headaches or dizziness become more severe during this time. In some cases however, headaches could indicate another illness.
Symptoms
- Severe headache accompanied by nausea
- Cold-like symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, or heaviness at the back of the neck
These could be symptoms of:
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Meningitis
- Brain tumor
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Highblood pressure
Women who experience an unidentified general malaise are advised not to self-diagnose, but to visit their OB/GYN or family doctor for an examination.
Learn more about how to deal with menopause on the Menopause lab site (Japanese)