Mum surprised to find out she started menopause after trip to the dentist
A mum was left gobsmacked when an unusual dental complaint turned out to be a sign she had started menopause. Angela Cook, 49, began suffering from "unbearable" gum pain, especially around her molars, when eating hard or chewy foods and couldn't understand why. Her favourite treats – humbug sweets, sugar cane and apples – became "impossible" to enjoy, and soon even everyday meals became just as painful.
Given the nature of the problem, the psychologist from Banbury, Oxfordshire, booked a trip to the dentist and was told the discomfort was likely due to ageing. It was only when she overheard a chat on the radio about menopause and gum health that everything "clicked into place" – and she realised she was going through it.
Experts say hormonal fluctuations, particularly a drop in oestrogen during menopause, can cause gums to become inflamed, bleed and ache.
But despite experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings 12 months prior to this in 2021 - at the age of 45, she hadn't linked the two.
Angela started scouring the internet for potential treatments and stumbled upon 'gum massaging' on YouTube which involves gently rubbing the gums under each tooth with her fingers after flossing, once a day.
When she began doing it daily in June 2022 she said she noticed an "instant difference". While she still experiences occasional aching, the episodes are far less frequent.
She said: "I never had any tooth or gum problems before the menopause – dentists would tell me how healthy my teeth were. So, this was a massive surprise."
Now she says she misses eating humbug sweets, but said the risk of having gum ache curbs her cravings.
This follows research by CanesMeno involving 1,000 women experiencing or having experienced menopause, which revealed that over half felt unprepared for this life stage, calling for better education on the subject.
Likewise, 48 per cent think the wider public needs to be better educated on the topic, while 35 per cent wish they'd been taught about menopause at school, university, or college.
The data suggests a fifth of women still consider menopause to be a mystery, as well as a 'taboo' subject. In addition, three quarters of those who have gone through menopause admitted they avoided talking about their symptoms with others.
Angela added: "I felt relieved when I came across the radio segment - I didn't feel so alone. It made me feel validated – there was a reason for what I was experiencing."
A spokesperson for CanesMeno, which has launched a training programme to educate Boots pharmacists on the signs of Menopause, said: "It's still somewhat of a mystery for many women – perhaps even for those who have experienced it.
"People will have their perceptions of what they think the menopause is, but it impacts those going through it many ways, way beyond what they might expect.
"And this study highlights some of these ways – sadly there is a bit of a knowledge gap and we want to change that."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum surprised to find out she started menopause after trip to the dentist
Angela Cook, 49, from Oxfordshire, was left struggling to understand why she was experiencing 'unbearable' gum pain A mum was left gobsmacked when an unusual dental complaint turned out to be a sign she had started menopause. Angela Cook, 49, began suffering from "unbearable" gum pain, especially around her molars, when eating hard or chewy foods and couldn't understand why. Her favourite treats – humbug sweets, sugar cane and apples – became "impossible" to enjoy, and soon even everyday meals became just as painful. Given the nature of the problem, the psychologist from Banbury, Oxfordshire, booked a trip to the dentist and was told the discomfort was likely due to ageing. It was only when she overheard a chat on the radio about menopause and gum health that everything "clicked into place" – and she realised she was going through it. Experts say hormonal fluctuations, particularly a drop in oestrogen during menopause, can cause gums to become inflamed, bleed and ache. But despite experiencing menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and mood swings 12 months prior to this in 2021 - at the age of 45, she hadn't linked the two. Angela started scouring the internet for potential treatments and stumbled upon 'gum massaging' on YouTube which involves gently rubbing the gums under each tooth with her fingers after flossing, once a day. When she began doing it daily in June 2022 she said she noticed an "instant difference". While she still experiences occasional aching, the episodes are far less frequent. She said: "I never had any tooth or gum problems before the menopause – dentists would tell me how healthy my teeth were. So, this was a massive surprise." Now she says she misses eating humbug sweets, but said the risk of having gum ache curbs her cravings. This follows research by CanesMeno involving 1,000 women experiencing or having experienced menopause, which revealed that over half felt unprepared for this life stage, calling for better education on the subject. Likewise, 48 per cent think the wider public needs to be better educated on the topic, while 35 per cent wish they'd been taught about menopause at school, university, or college. The data suggests a fifth of women still consider menopause to be a mystery, as well as a 'taboo' subject. In addition, three quarters of those who have gone through menopause admitted they avoided talking about their symptoms with others. Angela added: "I felt relieved when I came across the radio segment - I didn't feel so alone. It made me feel validated – there was a reason for what I was experiencing." A spokesperson for CanesMeno, which has launched a training programme to educate Boots pharmacists on the signs of Menopause, said: "It's still somewhat of a mystery for many women – perhaps even for those who have experienced it. "People will have their perceptions of what they think the menopause is, but it impacts those going through it many ways, way beyond what they might expect. "And this study highlights some of these ways – sadly there is a bit of a knowledge gap and we want to change that."
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
How trendy ‘seed cycling' could banish your rubbish sleep, PMS, and brain fog in a matter of days
CRAMPS, irritability, crying and cravings are just some of the symptoms women have to put up with as a result of their hormones. These chemical signals take us on a rollercoaster ride, up and down, from puberty to menopause. 5 5 Despite their tight grasp on our daily moods, most of us are out of touch with their powers. Yet, with more than 2.3 billion views of the hashtag #hormonebalance on TikTok, it seems women are keen to find out how to improve their symptoms. As many as 30% of menstruating women experience moderate to severe PMS each month, while up to 8% have the most severe form called PMDD.* And up to 90% of women going through menopause say they suffer side effects, with 25% describing these as severe and debilitating.** As a nutritionist, I repeatedly see the profound link between diet and hormones in my female clients. Whether they are struggling with menstrual irregularities, low libido or have challenges conceiving, many are surprised to learn that what they eat can make a big difference. The humble seed is the superfood to start with. This cheap cupboard staple can help balance out hormones, lessening mood swings, brain fog, poor sleep and irregular periods. By 'seed cycling' – rotating different seeds over the course of a month – in theory, you can help boost or hamper the production of the main sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, depending on where you are in your cycle. As a result, they can help relieve the debilitating symptoms that come with the monthly hormonal rollercoaster. WHAT DOES THE SCIENCE SAY? Evidence shows that seeds are a good source of phytoestrogens – AKA plant chemicals that have oestrogen-like effects on the body. One study in The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology And Metabolism showed flaxseeds can help make periods more regular. Another study, which looked at the hormonal effects of sesame seeds, showed consuming 50g daily over five weeks helped to increase sex hormones in post-menopausal women.*** Meanwhile, zinc in pumpkin seeds and vitamin E in sunflower seeds are both thought to support progesterone. These morsels of goodness are also rich in fibre, which plays an important role in breaking down oestrogen, and contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, as well as muscle-boosting protein. WORK WITH YOUR CYCLE First, you have to figure out how long your menstrual cycle is. The average is 28 days, but what's normal for you might be longer or shorter. The first two weeks are known as the follicular phase, starting from day one of your period. The second fortnight, known as the luteal phase, starts after ovulation, around day 14, and incorporates the days when you may experience PMS before your period. Are your periods irregular? Then try following the phases of the moon as a guide to simulate your body's natural rhythm, because a full lunar cycle is roughly 29 days. TRY THE DIET Seed cyclers claim that taking 1tbsp per day of each specific seed (depending on what phase you are in) is enough to have an impact. FOLLICULAR PHASE SEEDS: Flaxseed and pumpkin seeds. WHY? They're rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation – a key driver of menstrual pain. 5 Omega-3 fatty acids also help to increase blood flow to the ovaries and uterus, which can ensure healthy fertility. MEAL SUGGESTIONS: Porridge with berries and flaxseed, tuna salad with pumpkin seeds. LUTEAL PHASE SEEDS: Sesame and sunflower seeds. WHY? They are high in magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E to help support progesterone production, which rises during this phase. 5 Progesterone helps to counterbalance a rise in oestrogen, reducing breast tenderness and bloating. MEAL SUGGESTIONS: Soy and honey chicken with sesame seeds and Mediterranean vegetables, protein smoothie with sunflower seeds. 'I'M FULL OF ENERGY NOW!' Fiona Lewis, 39, from north London, began experimenting with seed cycling when her periods started wreaking havoc on her life. Her cycles became shorter – 21 days compared to the average 28 – meaning her periods were more frequent. They were also heavier. 'I had acne and I felt shattered all the time,' she says. Fiona had developed these issues over 18 months, before seeing a doctor. 'I went through the NHS initially, but it was so slow that I ended up going private,' she says. 'I saw a gynaecologist, who carried out several blood tests and scans, and told me I had mild endometriosis and adenomyosis, which were probably causing the issues, along with potentially starting perimenopause.' Irregular periods are a key symptom of perimenopause. 'Doctors said that perimenopause could be a contributing issue,' says Fiona. 'But once my blood test results came back, they said my hormone levels were normal, so it wasn't that. The only solution I was offered was the Mirena coil.' The coil may be recommended as contraception during perimenopause to provide more of the hormone progesterone or to help with heavy periods. 'I really didn't want to be putting hormones into my body and having to deal with the potential side effects of those,' says Fiona. 'Instead, I started doing my own research and became really interested in hormonal nutrition. 'A lot of the literature and research I came across mentioned seed cycling, so I tried it. Within a month, I noticed a difference. "Whether it was a coincidence or not I don't know, but after six months of sticking to the routine, I've never had more regular or 'normal' periods. "I feel full of energy, can compete in my usual fitness competitions no problem, plus my acne has cleared up!'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
‘Ignoring hot flushes is wrong': study challenges assumptions about perimenopause symptoms
Almost 40% of women going through perimenopause experience moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats but have no treatment options, new research has found. The study, published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, explored differences in symptom prevalence by menopausal stage among women aged 40-69 years. More than 8,000 participants who self-identified as a woman completed the Australian women's midlife years (AMY) study. After excluding women on medication or those who had undergone a procedure that would affect their hormones or symptoms, Monash University researchers analysed the remaining 5,509: 1250 were classified as pre-menopausal, 344 early perimenopausal, 271 late perimenopausal, and 3,644 postmenopausal. Senior author, Prof Susan Davis, said while vasomotor symptoms (VMS) – such as hot flushes and night sweats – were already known to be typical of menopause, the study found moderate to severe VMS symptoms to be the most defining symptom of perimenopause, the time period leading up to the final menstrual period. Sign up: AU Breaking News email Although other symptoms were commonly reported by perimenopausal women, including poor memory and low mood, analysis showed none differed in prevalence enough from pre-menopause to differentiate between menopausal stages. The study found 37.3% of women in late perimenopause had moderately-to-severely bothersome hot flushes: meaning they were five times more prevalent among perimenopausal women compared with pre-menopause. Severe vaginal dryness was 2.5 times more prevalent among perimenopausal women compared with pre-menopause. Menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT, also known as HRT) is effective for treating VMS due to menopause, but there are no specifically designed or approved interventions for these symptoms for perimenopausal women, the researchers noted. Treating perimenopause is not the same as treating post-menopause because women are still randomly ovulating, contraception needs to be considered, MHT can make bleeding heavier and progesterone worsens PMS, Davis said. The study also challenged the assumption that menstrual irregularity is the earliest sign of perimenopause. Davis said it is common for women to ask their GPs if their heavier periods and hot flushes are a sign of perimenopause, only for the doctor to respond: 'If you're still getting regular cycles, you can't possibly be perimenopausal.' But when the study compared pre-menopausal women with VMS whose periods were still regular but had changes – becoming lighter or heavier – they were the same as women who had VMS but who'd started experiencing changes in period cycle frequency. 'So we're really saying ignoring hot flushes and night sweats is wrong,' she said. Dr Rakib Islam, also a study author, said defining perimenopause and menopause by menstrual cycle overlooks women with regular cycles and those who no longer menstruate, such as those who have had an endometrial ablation or hysterectomy, and users of hormonal contraception. 'Our findings support a more symptom-based approach, enabling earlier recognition of perimenopause and more timely care,' Islam said. Davis said it was 'critical' that women were recruited to the study with no mention made of menopause, so the sample was not biased. Prof Martha Hickey, the chair of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Melbourne and lead author of last year's Lancet series on menopause called it an important study. The study reached quite a large number of women and provided deeper insight into perimenopause, an area traditionally overlooked in menopause research,' she said. 'More than a third of research in medical treatments is done by pharmaceutical companies. They traditionally have excluded perimenopausal women from the research because the perimenopausal women are still producing their own hormones in a sometimes unpredictable way, and it didn't fit with the study design that they wanted,' Hickey said. Hickey said the study's main limitation was that it was a cross-sectional survey. So while it was helpful for knowing what symptoms women categorised to a particular stage might experience, 'it doesn't tell us how these things change as women go through menopause'.
