Nausea and the menopause

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

8,2 Liked what you read? Show your support

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.

Struggling to cope with the menopause?

Need help to change your menopause for the better? My FREE 7-day plan will provide you with the information, support and advice you need as well as a FREE sample of Menopause Support.

"I started taking the sample pack, definitely felt more in control emotionally and had more energy in a couple of days." Jenny, UK

Soy isoflavones for before, during & after the menopause

Menopause Support can provide support to the body through all stages of the Menopause but is especially useful when broad range of symptoms such as hot flushes, irritability, tiredness, pains and aches, vaginal dryness etc kick in.

Made from fermented soya beans
Support for all stages of the menopause
Also contains magnesium and hibiscus

A herbal dietary supplement containing soy isoflavones, magnesium and hibiscus extract for all stages of the menopause.

TIP: Read why so many women recommend Menopause Support for before, during & after the menopause

Meet the author

36 Comments

Add your comments

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.

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
Reply

show
- 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.
  Reply
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
Reply

show
- 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.
  Reply
Nancy — 31.05.2019 15:11
Nausea and fatique in post menopause and treatments
Reply

show
- Eileen — 03.06.2019 09:29
  Hi Nancy Hopefully the tips above will be of help for you and you can see more on fatigue here https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/how-to-beat-menopause-fatigue/
  Reply
Shanda Livolsi Owen — 09.04.2019 13:35
My name is Shanda. I’m 40 years old I’m suffering from night sweats, hot flashes, and nausea. My blood work showed I am in menopause. I went nine months with no cycle, however I started nine months to the day with a seven day period. Help
Reply

show
- Shanda Livolsi Owen — 09.04.2019 14:35
  Correction I am 48 years old.
  Reply
- Eileen — 10.04.2019 11:26
  Hi Shanda Periods coming back after 6 months or more is quite common and just often due to a 'last fling' by your hormones. However, we do also advise getting a check up from your doctor as well just to make sure there are no other triggers such as fibroids.
  Reply
- Shanda Livolsi Owen — 17.04.2019 17:50
  Hi, thank you so much for your reply this helps me out ! Also struggling with severe panic attacks. I’ve had anxiety my whole life but never a panic disorder where my blood pressure shoots through the roof. Found myself in the hospital and was told I’m having panic attacks. Wondering if this is hormone related as well. So many changes going on and I’m not taking any supplements or anything for my menopause.
  Reply
- Eileen — 18.04.2019 10:19
  Hi Shanda Menopausal panic attacks are usually caused by a reduction in oestrogen levels. If you don't get another period within the next month or so you could try Menopause Support to gently support your oestrogen. It is important to focus on eating regularly as low blood sugars can trigger an attack - have something, however small, every 3-4 hours, e.g. a banana or some dried fruit or nuts. Also, keep your water intake up as dehydration makes you feel way more panicky and gives you palpitations. Avoid caffeine if you can, as this can trigger panic attacks too, as can very sugary foods. To help yourself further, start practicing simple breathing exercises several times daily - you may be surprised at how good this is at averting panicky feelings. Get some gentle outdoor exercise every day if you can - just 10-20 minutes gentle walking makes you feel better. Check your diet for wholegrains, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and green veg, as these are sources of magnesium which supports your nervous system. You could take an extra magnesium supplement too (e.g. Salus Haus Floradix liquid magnesium), and there is some magnesium in the Menopause Support. Herbs such as Avena sativa can be extremely calming too.
  Reply
- Shanda Livolsi Owen — 18.04.2019 14:06
  Thank you so much. I cannot tell you how helpful this information is. I appreciate you and appreciate your time and research! This makes me feel so much better. I’ve realize that panic disorder in a panic attack is completely different than every day anxiety. I have suffered from anxiety my entire life but these panic disorder episodes when my blood pressure rises to 180/100 with the crazy rush through my body is a whole Nother issue. My resting blood pressure is usually 99/69. I jog 3 miles every day. This is definitely helping me. Menopause and panic disorder going hand-in-hand it makes much sense. Again I appreciate your time and your help!
  Reply
Lisa Carvell — 09.04.2019 12:08
My name is Lisa I'm 40 and experiencing the beginning of menopause and I'm having trouble keeping food and liquids down this only occurs when I get my period and my periods have been getting worse with each month that passes I'm having more pain and having trouble keeping my thoughts straight. What can I do to feel better?
Reply

show
- Eileen — 10.04.2019 11:26
  Hi Lisa My colleague Emma has written a blog about nausea and periods and what you can do to help yourself so please do take a look and, hopefully, it will be of benefit for you. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/pms/are-you-sick-of-premenstrual-nausea/
  Reply
Trish — 12.01.2019 20:43
I am 49 and just went into menopause a few months back. I did not think it would be this bad. Nausea and anxiety has me tied up in knots even though I have min stress in my life. I am slim, get plenty of exercise, eat healthy until all this nausea started. Now I am having anxiety and can barely drink or eat anything. I am anxious to finally go to the doctor in hopes they can give me something to cut the nausea so I can atleast eat and drink. I most of all pray this doesn’t last the rest of my life.
Reply

show
- Eileen — 14.01.2019 15:29
  Hi Trish Hopefully the tips above will be of benefit for you, sometimes simple things work well! However, if you don't see any improvement then it is best to check with your doctor.
  Reply

Our customers love us!

We are proud of the high standard of customer service we deliver and our customers love us so much they give our service a 98% rating. That’s pretty close to perfect!

Read some of our customer ratings