Nausea and the menopause

Nausea is often connected to pregnancy but it can also occur during the menopause

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Nausea is more often more associated with pregnancy rather than the menopause. In both instances nausea is triggered by lowering levels of progesterone. Here, our menopause expert Eileen Durward explores the relationship between nausea and other menopausal symptoms whilst also recommending a range of natural treatments to soothe any unsettled feelings of queasiness.

Ask our menopause expert Eileen your question.

An introduction to nausea and menopause

Nausea can be extremely unpleasant, and many people do not realise that it is sometimes a symptom of the menopause. Nausea most often occurs during the peri-menopause, and the symptom is usually at its worst in the morning. It can be accompanied by other PMS-like symptoms.

Nausea can be described as an uncomfortable feeling usually in the upper stomach, characterised by an urge to vomit. Although this feeling usually precedes vomiting, this is not always the case with the menopause.

Nausea may also be a side-effect of HRT. If this is the case, you may want to consider a different type of HRT, or an alternative.

Why does the menopause cause nausea?

Although the exact link between the menopause and nausea is not yet fully understood, it is thought that a change in hormone levels causes the symptom. Similar to pregnancy causing morning sickness, the menopause is a time of your life when your hormones are radically fluctuating, in particular, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

It is thought that reduced levels of the hormone progesterone cause gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, indigestion and heartburn, all of which may also lead to nausea.

Additionally, nausea may be caused or worsened by stress or fatigue. Both of these conditions are commonly associated with the menopause. If you are feeling overworked, then looking for ways of improving this may help to lift your feeling of nausea.

Lastly, severe menstrual pain or cramps can give rise to nausea.

What home remedies are there for nausea?

Looking after your digestive system is often the first way to avoid or improve your symptoms of nausea. If you eat fatty, greasy or spicy food you are more likely to feel the after-effects of it. Avoiding eating altogether can also worsen your nausea. Instead, try to eat a small amount of very plain food, such as crackers. It is important not to eat too much, but a little may help to settle your stomach. Making sure that your blood sugar is balanced is important, as low blood sugar may contribute to your symptoms.

Avoid sitting in a hot, stuffy or smelly room, as this will only make you feel even queasier. Try to get some fresh air and breathe deeply, as this will create a rhythmic pattern in the stomach. Unless your nausea is unbearable, then keeping yourself occupied and your mind off the nausea will often help you get through the day.

It’s also important to consider what you drink. Try to avoid tea, coffee, sugary and fizzy drinks.

Are there herbal remedies to help me?

As the causes of nausea during the menopause can be broad, there are a number of ways to help relieve the symptom.

Most commonly, nausea comes at the early part of the menopause when a woman is still menstruating (more or less) regularly, and accompanied by PMS-like symptoms, such as period pains or bloating. If this is the case, try Agnus castus in the first instance.

TIP: Do not take Agnus castus if you are on hormonal contraceptives as it may not be suitable for you.

If your periods have stopped and you are experiencing nausea because of the menopause, try a supplement containing soya isoflavones.

TIP: Menopause Support contains isoflavones from fermented soya beans, hibiscus and magnesium. It is a general menopause supplement to see you through all points in this stage of your life.

If your nausea is unexplained or does not resolve despite attempts at treating the symptom, seek advice from your doctor in order to rule out other causes other than the menopause.

What about conventional remedies?

If you have not found a combination of home and herbal remedies to be effective, then it may be time to look for a conventional medicine. It is important to consult your doctor, before taking medications, as then you will be able to find the most effective treatment for you. Treatments include antihistamines and steroid treatments.

If your nausea is a side-effect of HRT then you may be able to find an alternative type of treatment. You will need to consult with your doctor to see what is available and suited to you.

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Maria Ward — 07.05.2020 08:05
I have nausea alot and aches all over my body.Also fatigue,sudden sharp pains in my overies and fallopian tubes,frequent urination at night,gas,belching,acid reflux,shortness of breathe and lumps on my bones that are tender to touch....especially my ribs.My back and buttocks hurt constantly.I feel dizzy at times too.
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- Eileen — 07.05.2020 09:16
  Dear Maria, I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling so terrible. There may be a number of factors at play or a single issue. It is important that you talk to your GP as only a medical professional can diagnose a medical condition. Once you know what it is you are dealing with we will be happy to help you with any information that you need. Keep safe and kind regards, Eileen
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Maria Ward — 07.05.2020 08:04
I have nausea alot and aches all over my body.Also fatigue,sudden sharp pains in my overies and fallopian tubes,frequent urination at night,gas,belching,acid reflux,shortness of breathe and lumps on my bones that are tender to touch....especially my ribs.My back and buttocks hurt constantly.I feel dizzy at times too.
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Teresa — 06.03.2020 02:28
I've been experiencing severe Waves of queasiness accompanied with getting hot and and drinking water seems to calm it but last week it hit me so hard I literally passed out, is that something that happens in symptoms
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- Eileen — 06.03.2020 15:59
  Hello Teresa, Queasiness and hot flushes can be really common during the menopause. However, it would be a good idea to have a health review with your GP and discuss these symptoms.
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Sarah — 26.02.2020 21:56
Dear Eileen, I'm almost 2 years postmenopausal but still getting horrible hot flashes, insomnia, nausea,diarrhea,dizziness, etc.(I was getting tachycardia but the Carbamazepine helps due to its increasing ADH levels. I also have POTS and Trigeminal Neuralgia). The panic attacks I think are related to hormones as well. Anyway it's still beyond bearable and I don't wish to take HRT. Any information would be welcomed. Thanks Sarah Wind PS: I can't remember your last name. I don't mean to be disrespectful.
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- Eileen — 27.02.2020 10:31
  Hi Sarah I have posted several blogs on anxiety and what you can do to help yourself so please do take a look. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/anxiety-and-the-emotional-turmoil-of-the-menopause/ Anxiety in the morning https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/how-to-calm-menopause-anxiety/
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Lyn — 02.07.2019 23:16
It has been 3 years since last period. I don't take any HRT or anything and wanted to know if fatigue (not real bad) on a daily basis and aches and pains off and on should still be happening 3 years later??? Some days I just feel blah and want to sleep. Have had chronic back pain for 10 plus years and some days just want to chill out. I never really got hit flashes but would get a little warm now and then. How long can women have menopausal symptoms??? Thank you
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- Eileen — 04.07.2019 12:14
  Hi Lyn Symproms can go on longer for some women but often other health issues may be involved. Fatigue can also be caused by low iron, low thyroid function, low vitamin D or B12 so it is a good idea to ask your doctor to test for these just to rule them out. It is difficult to say how long symptoms will last as it is different for every one, sorry.
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Leanne — 18.06.2019 02:35
Hi. I recently had ufe. About a week before my first cycle after the procedure I began having hot flashes, extreme nausea that i couldn't eat and barely drink, dizziness but worst of all was this panicked state of anxiety that lasted for 3 days. I felt terrified, hopeless and like there was not 1 thing too look forward to or enjoy doing. I had to make myself keep busy and surround myself with people to avoid panic attacks. If this is menopause or perimenopause i need help with the nausea and psychiatric presentations, the hot flashes didn't really bother me. The mental state scared the hell out of me
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- Eileen Durward — 18.06.2019 13:25
  Hi Leanne We do know that any physical or emotional stress/shock can affect the hormones quite dramatically and it can sometimes take a little while for everything to settle down again. However, it is really important to go back to your doctor first about this just in case it is related to the operation. Your doctor can may be able to check your hormone levels to see what might be going on and suggest something to help in the meantime.
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