The 5 Most Annoying Menopause Symptoms (and How I Survive Them)
I didn’t invite menopause, but apparently, it showed up anyway—and it’s not exactly a polite house guest. Some days it feels like everything’s flipped upside down for no reason. The five symptoms that get under my skin the most? Mood swings that hit out of nowhere, brain fog that makes me forget what I walked into the room for, a libido that seems to have packed up and left, oily hair that has a mind of its own, and a level of tiredness that makes even the couch look like a holiday destination.
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. Menopause can be unpredictable, but I’ve been finding ways to deal with it—little survival tricks that make the day-to-day more manageable (and sometimes even a little funny). Here’s how these symptoms show up in my life, and what’s actually been helping.
1. Mood Swings: From Laughing to Crying in 60 Seconds
One of the biggest curveballs of menopause has to be the mood swings. One minute I’m laughing at some random meme, the next I’m in tears because the kettle took too long to boil. It’s exhausting and honestly a bit confusing—like my emotions have decided to run the show without telling me the rules.
The saving grace? My wife. She’s become my unofficial “mood interpreter.” I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is just say it out loud: “I’m not okay right now.” Sometimes that means we head out for a walk to clear my head. Other times, she’ll simply ask what I need, which is sweet… except most of the time I have absolutely no clue myself.
On those days, the cure is often Netflix and chill. And yes, I mean literally—blanket, snacks, and a quiet series binge. No pressure, no conversation, just a little space to ride out the storm.
Survival tactic: Communicate—even if all I can manage is, “I don’t know what I need right now.” That honesty alone makes a world of difference.
2. Menopause Brain Fog: Forgetfulness and Frustration
One of the biggest curveballs of menopause has to be the mood swings. One minute I’m laughing at some random meme, the next I’m in tears because the kettle took too long to boil. It’s exhausting and honestly a bit confusing—like my emotions have decided to run the show without telling me the rules.
The saving grace? My wife. She’s become my unofficial “mood interpreter.” I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is just say it out loud: “I’m not okay right now.” Sometimes that means we head out for a walk to clear my head. Other times, she’ll simply ask what I need, which is sweet… except most of the time I have absolutely no clue myself.
On those days, the cure is often Netflix and chill. And yes, I mean literally—blanket, snacks, and a quiet series binge. No pressure, no conversation, just a little space to ride out the storm.
Survival tactic: Communicate—even if all I can manage is, “I don’t know what I need right now.” That honesty alone makes a world of difference.
3. Menopause and Low Libido: When Your Sex Drive Hits Pause
Low libido is one of those menopause symptoms that hardly anyone talks about—but it’s real, and it definitely shows up uninvited. Suddenly, desire doesn’t always clock in on schedule, and the spark takes a little more effort to find. It’s not that intimacy disappears, it just changes shape.
For me, that shift has been a mix of frustrating and eye-opening. My wife and I talk about it openly, which helps take the awkwardness out of it. Some days the mood is nowhere to be found, so we lean into the softer side of intimacy—like long cuddles, kisses, or simply holding hands on the couch. Other days, things click back into place and we get that full connection again.
What I’ve learned is that it’s not about “less” or “none.” It’s about different rhythms, adjusting expectations, and finding what feels right in the moment. Some days it’s tender, some days it’s frustrating, but it’s always ours. And honestly? Taking the pressure off and being able to laugh about it together makes the whole thing a lot easier to navigate.
Survival tactic: Talk about it, take the pressure off, and don’t underestimate the power of small, everyday intimacy.
4. Oily Hair in Menopause: Why Does My Scalp Hate Me?
Of all the strange menopause symptoms, oily hair has to be one of the most annoying. Out of nowhere, my scalp decided to behave like a teenager’s, pumping out oil faster than I can keep up. It’s not glamorous, it’s not fun, and it definitely wasn’t on my menopause bingo card.
For me, it means my hair gets greasy ridiculously fast. Forget “every few days” washes—those days are gone. Now it feels like keeping my hair clean has become a part-time job. After plenty of failed attempts with products that promised miracles, I finally found a shampoo that actually helps: Tresemmé for oily hair. It doesn’t fix everything, but it keeps my hair fresh long enough that I don’t feel like hiding under a hat 24/7.
The funny part? I used to be jealous of people with shiny hair, and now I’ve got “shine” I never asked for. The difference is, mine looks more “oil slick” than “healthy glow.”
Survival tactic: Find a shampoo that works for you and accept that frequent washing might just be part of the deal. Bonus points if you can laugh about it while you’re scrubbing away.
5. Menopause Fatigue: The Tiredness That Doesn’t Quit
Let’s be real—menopause fatigue is next-level. This isn’t just the kind of tired that a strong coffee can fix. It’s the type that makes getting out of bed feel like a workout and has you wondering how you’re supposed to function like a normal human when your body clearly wants to hibernate. Some days I wake up tired, go through the day tired, and go to bed… tired. It’s a full-time state of being.
I’ve learned that fighting it only makes things worse. So now, I listen to my body. If I need a nap, I take one. No guilt, no “I should be doing something else.” Naps aren’t weakness—they’re survival tools. Strangely enough, exercise helps too. Even a short walk or a bit of yoga can give me more energy than lying on the couch feeling sorry for myself. And food? I do my best to eat healthy, but let’s be honest—sometimes only chocolate gets me through. Call it self-care, call it therapy in a wrapper, either way it works.
It’s frustrating, yes, but I’m learning to pace myself and accept that tiredness is part of the package. I can still do the things I love—I just need more breaks along the way.
Survival tactic: Rest when I need to, move when I can, and never underestimate the power of emergency chocolate.
The Bottom Line on Menopause Symptoms
Menopause isn’t glamorous. It’s messy, exhausting, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking. But surviving it (and occasionally even thriving in it) comes down to three things:
- Listen to your body.
- Laugh when you can.
- Lean on the people you love.
And when all else fails? There’s always Netflix, naps, and chocolate.
Over to You
What’s the most annoying menopause symptom you’ve had to deal with—and how do you cope?
