Menopause can cause a variety of symptoms, and nausea is one possible symptom that some women may experience during this transition. The drop in estrogen and progesterone levels that occurs during perimenopause and menopause is thought to be the primary cause behind nausea and other symptoms.
Causes of Nausea During Menopause
There are a few theorized reasons why women may feel nauseous due to menopause:
- Hormone fluctuations - Estrogen and progesterone help regulate gastrointestinal function. As these hormones decline, it can disrupt normal digestive processes and cause nausea.
- Hot flashes - Sudden surges in body temperature during hot flashes can trigger nausea in some women. The sweating and dizziness that may accompany hot flashes can also cause nausea.
- Anxiety and stress - Menopause can be an anxious and stressful time for some women. Stress and anxiety can manifest physically as nausea and digestive issues. The hormones fluctuations may also directly impact mood.
- Other menopausal symptoms - Insomnia, fatigue, headaches, and other menopausal symptoms may indirectly cause or worsen nausea.
Additional Risk Factors
While any woman may feel nauseous during menopause, certain factors can increase risk:
- Perimenopause - Nausea is more common during the perimenopausal transition because of highly fluctuating estrogen levels.
- History of nausea during menstrual cycles - If you had nausea before your periods, you may be more prone to nausea during hormone fluctuations.
- Migraines - Menopausal headaches and migraines can trigger nausea.
- Medications - Starting or stopping hormone replacement therapy can sometimes cause nausea as a side effect.
Managing Menopause-Related Nausea
If you feel nauseous due to menopause, here are some tips that may help provide relief:
- Stay hydrated and sip water slowly
- Avoid having an empty stomach by eating small, frequent meals
- Get plenty of rest and sleep
- Reduce stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga
- Avoid nausea triggers like spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol
- Take anti-nausea medication if needed (talk to your doctor first)
- Consider bioidentical hormone therapy to stabilize hormones
Professionally Formulated Hormone Treatments
At Vitality Hormone Clinic, we specialize in custom blended bioidentical hormone therapy for women. Our personalized treatments are specially formulated to help relieve menopausal symptoms like nausea. If you're experiencing nausea or other bothersome symptoms due to perimenopause or menopause, schedule a consultation today to discuss treatment options.
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, menopausal nausea is manageable with self-care techniques and is not a serious concern. However, frequent or severe nausea that interferes with your daily life warrants a discussion with your doctor, especially if you experience:
- Prolonged nausea lasting more than 1 week
- Vomiting and inability to keep food/liquids down
- Severe stomach pain
- Nausea along with other concerning symptoms (chest pain, severe headache)
Bring up all your symptoms with your healthcare provider so the underlying cause can be properly evaluated and appropriate treatment can be determined. Blood tests may be done to check hormone levels, thyroid function, blood counts, and other measures depending on your symptoms.
While nausea can be distressing during an already challenging transitional time, know that this symptom tends to come and go. Implementing self-care strategies, working with your healthcare team, and being patient with yourself can help you get through bouts of nausea during menopause and beyond.
