Burning Mouth Syndrome and Menopause

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Burning Mouth Syndrome and Other Symptoms of Menopause You Should Know About

health

5 min read

by Team Thinx | 02/14/2024

Medically reviewed by Dr. Saru Bala

Hot flashes and night sweats are the most commonly recognized menopausal symptoms, but did you know there are many other experiences that can be related to menopause? This important phase can affect individuals wildly differently due to the vast impact hormonal changes have on our bodies. Let’s talk about “burning mouth syndrome” and other lesser known effects:

Burning mouth syndrome: This condition can create a persistent burning sensation occurring on the mouth, lips, and tongue, and it can become a taste disturbance. Burning mouth pain may be described as tingling, numbing or scalding, and can affect anyone, but is more common in those experiencing perimenopause and menopause because of the shifts in hormone levels and how they affect the rest of our body.
Cognitive changes: The decline in reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen, as well as sleep disruption are thought to be the culprits behind cognitive impairments such as forgetfulness, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating that some experience during menopause.
Hair and skin changes: If you’ve noticed changes to your skin and hair – hormonal changes could be behind this too. Menopause can contribute to reduced hair growth, and can cause skin to lose plumpness, and feel dry, flaky or itchy. This is due to the drop in estrogen levels and can also be a result of the extra stress we experience around this time. On the plus side, you may notice you don’t reach for the razor as often as you may lose body hair such as on your legs and armpits too.
Light-headedness or dizziness: The drop in hormone levels can even lead to feelings of wooziness, nausea and spinning. This can be because of the role hormones play in blood sugar levels, or due to changes in your inner ear which affects balance and is influenced by hormones too.
Pelvic Pain Relief: If you previously experienced pain related to your menstrual cycle or uterus including period cramps or conditions like fibroids, you may experience relief in menopause. In this case, the drop in estrogen can help alleviate problems and bring an end to symptoms that may have come alongside your period.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Knowing the signs to look out for when experiencing burning mouth syndrome is important for proper treatment. Those identifying persistent oral symptoms like burning tongue, lips, gums, or other areas of the mouth should contact their medical provider.

Many menopause symptoms can be attributed to other causes as well. To learn more about burning mouth syndrome and menopause, it’s always best to have a medical professional help determine the cause of symptoms if you experience any concerning changes to your health.

Check out our educational video hub on YouTube to learn more from experts like Dr. Bala, a Naturopathic Doctor and Thinx Partner specializing in women's hormonal health, and join our mission to empower all who pee and bleed with shame-free body literacy education.

The information contained in this article should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your health care professional.