kateandlisa
Week 3 – Tingling in the Fingers or Toes and Cold Flashes or Chills
Welcome to Week 3 of the Odd Symptoms of Menopause Series. I hope you have gained some new information from the previous articles!
Menopause Tingling Extremities
Tingling in the extremities are like electric shocks – except they feel like when your foot falls asleep or when you hit your funny bone. This is also called paresthesia and you may feel tingling or numbness in your arms, legs hands or feet. It’s not really painful just annoying. If severe enough it can interfere with your daily activities especially when your hands are affected.
Why Do You Feel Tingly During Menopause?
Estrogen! Estrogen is connected to your nervous system. Low levels can cause nerve endings to become very sensitive. The decrease in estrogen also can affect circulation which means less blood flow to your extremities.
Other Causes of Tingling Sensations
Some medical conditions can also be a cause of the tingling sensations. So, ruling out these more serious causes is important. Some conditions that can cause tingling extremities include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Diabetes
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Nerve damage or compression
How Do You Treat Tingling During Menopause
Once other medical reasons are ruled out, treating tingling may involve lifestyle changes to reduce stress and support hormonal balance. A hormone balancing diet with lots of healthy fat and protein to support hormones can be helpful.
Movement to improve circulation can also help – yoga, walking, swimming or any that you enjoy. Getting enough sleep, reducing stress and good hydration is helpful.
Tips for Tingling Sensations in Menopause:
- Rule out other medical conditions
- Eat a nutrient dense diet
- Try cinnamon with meals to support healthy blood sugar
- Apple cider vinegar before meals can support healthy insulin and glucose
- Focus on quality sleep and reduce stress
Cold Flashes With Menopause
Hot flashes may be the more common and talked about symptom of menopause, but cold flashes can be just as uncomfortable. They are sudden sensations of coldness accompanied by shivering or chills.
What Causes Cold Chills in Menopause?
Not much research on cold chills is available. Hormone dysregulation, especially the drop in estrogen, is likely responsible. Hormones influence the thermostat in your brain and can become extra sensitive or dysregulated during menopause.
How Do You Stop Menopause Chills?
Just like hot flashes, avoiding triggers that make your chills worse is essential. Hormone support through diet, exercise and stress reduction is critical. Things to consider include:
- Dressing in layers so you can easily add and remove clothing as chills come and go
- Using a heating pad or hot water bottle to warm up
- Taking warm baths or showers
Some women have extra blankets at the end of the bed to put on when acold flash strikes. There are medications available if your symptoms are severe – they act by influencing neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce symptoms.
What Else Causes Cold Chills?
Cold chills can also be a sign of infection or illness so make sure to rule these out before assuming they are solely related to menopause. Anemia and thyroid imbalances can also cause cold chills.
For help and information on menopause and its symptoms – get in touch!
