At a recent gathering, a few of us got talking about how the conversation around menopause, perimenopause, and premenopause is finally gaining ground. It is a big shift from our mothers' time when unexplained hot flashes, sudden emotional outbursts and the constant sense of “what’s wrong with me?” went unaddressed. Today, at least, we are talking about it. But even now, most of the focus is on the usual symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. What often gets missed are the lesser-known symptoms that can leave most women feeling confused, anxious and alone.

To begin with, it is important to know that menopausal symptoms can span a surprisingly long period of a woman’s life, often over a decade. A recent poll among women either experiencing menopause or having passed through it revealed a startling truth - 52 per cent said they didn’t feel prepared for this phase of life. For many, the realisation that they were in menopause came months or even years after the first symptoms began to appear.

Gynecologists agree that most women enter menopause blindsided and unsupported. And that’s what makes it harder. Menopause is not the same for everyone. It is deeply personal and strikes differently. One friend spoke about waking up drenched in sweat, while another described a bizarre feeling of someone 'blowing hot gas' on her back and shoulders. Some mentioned memory lapses, while others struggled with anxiety or brain fog. But what really caught us off guard were the symptoms no one talks about.

Gum ache that makes chewing painful. Electric shock sensations. Tinnitus that suddenly creeps in. These aren't part of the usual menopause checklist but they are very real.

Here are some of the lesser-known signs of menopause that can make you question everything:

It is high time we widened the conversation and it is because when women are equipped with knowledge, they stop feeling like something’s wrong with them and start owning what’s a natural phase of life.