Key Topics & Timestamps
Introduction to Andrea Donsky (3:37 - 5:12)
How Andrea Got Into Menopause Research (5:32 - 8:45)
The Shocking Discovery: 103+ Symptoms (14:37 - 16:20)
Lesser-Known Menopause Symptoms (15:55 - 17:34)
Nervous System: Most Affected Body System (18:38 - 20:15)
Libido Research Findings (31:42 - 35:18)
Healthcare Provider Responses (32:34 - 34:22)
Sleep & Anxiety Connection (40:05 - 43:27)
Foundation Supplements for Menopause (24:56 - 28:30)
The Power of Using Your Voice (50:35 - 52:18)
As I wrapped up another live call with my Magic Menopause community, I was reminded once again of the incredible power of women sharing their stories. One of our golden ladies—a vibrant 70-year-old—had just shared about reigniting her intimacy and joie de vivre. It was a beautiful reminder that while menopause is mandatory, suffering through it is absolutely optional.
This is exactly why I was so excited to interview Andrea Donsky on The Girlfriend Doctor Show. Known as "the menopause educator and researcher" to her nearly 350,000 TikTok followers, Andrea has been conducting groundbreaking research that's literally rewriting what we know about menopause symptoms.
The Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything
Andrea's journey into menopause research began like so many of ours—with her own experience at age 47. Despite being in the health and wellness field for 17 years, she found herself completely unprepared when her first hot flash hit just two months after her birthday.
"I didn't even know the word perimenopause existed," she shared with me. "I knew nothing about it, and I thought if I didn't know anything about it—and it was literally my job to understand the body—then other women probably didn't know either."
This realization sparked what would become a mission to educate as many women as possible about what's really happening during this transformative time in our lives.
The Shocking Truth: There Are 103+ Menopause Symptoms
Here's where Andrea's research gets truly eye-opening. You've probably heard that there are "34 recognized symptoms" of menopause—that's what comes up when you Google it. But Andrea's research, published in the Journal of Menopause in December 2024, reveals a startling truth: there are actually 103+ symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.
How did we get this so wrong for so long? Andrea explained that she started tracking symptoms after a casual conversation at a party, where a friend mentioned creating an app for "34 to 40 menopause symptoms." Being data-driven by nature, Andrea went home and began documenting every symptom she could find in medical journals, online communities, and through conversations with women.
The result? Over 5,200 women responded to her comprehensive survey, revealing a symptom landscape far more complex than we ever imagined.
The Hidden Symptoms No One Talks About
While we're all familiar with hot flashes, weight gain, and mood swings, Andrea's research uncovered some surprising symptoms that many women experience but rarely connect to menopause:
The Sensory Surprises:
Itchy ears (caused by declining estrogen, affecting moisture in mucous membranes)
Phantom smells, particularly smoke or burning sensations, when nothing is actually burning
Vertigo and tinnitus
Burning sensations in the scalp, mouth, tongue, or feet
The Temperature Paradox: While hot flashes get all the attention, many women also experience cold flashes —sudden feelings of being intensely cold that can be just as disruptive.
The Emotional Mysteries: Beyond typical mood swings, women report social anxiety, impending doom, and loss of appetite that they never connected to hormonal changes.
When I work with patients experiencing burning tongue, I always look at detoxification pathways and potential heavy metal or mold toxicity. But now, thanks to Andrea's research, we know this could also be directly related to hormonal changes during menopause.
Your Nervous System Bears the Brunt
One of Andrea's most significant findings is that the nervous system is the most affected body system during menopause. This explains so much about what women experience during this transition.
Out of the top 10 most common symptoms, 50-90% are actually cognitive and mental health-related. We tend to think of menopause in terms of physical symptoms like hot flashes, but the reality is that this transition profoundly impacts our neurological functioning.
This discovery validates what I've been seeing in my practice for years: the anxiety, depression, and sleep issues that emerge during perimenopause aren't "in your head"—they're real physiological responses to hormonal changes affecting your nervous system.
The Libido Research That Changes Everything
Andrea's upcoming fifth publication focuses on libido, and the results are staggering. From nearly 1,300 women surveyed:
91% experienced a notable decrease in libido or sexual desire
66% reported difficulty achieving orgasm
83% discussed these changes with someone else
Most encouragingly, women are seeking help—76% talked to healthcare providers about these issues. However, the responses they received were mixed, ranging from practical advice about lubrication (34%) to being told it was their "wifely duty" to engage regardless of desire (22%).
This research illuminates something I've long advocated for: your voice matters, and your authentic experience is valid. When women realize that their pleasure matters—not just to them, but to their partners too—it opens up conversations that can transform relationships.
The Sleep-Stress Connection Revealed
Andrea's sleep research uncovered a crucial pattern: 67% of women who wake between 2-4 AM cite anxiety and racing thoughts as the culprit. This isn't just about getting older—it's about understanding the biochemical cascade that occurs when our hormones shift.
From a functional medicine perspective, this makes perfect sense. When we lose 75% of our progesterone levels between ages 35-55, we're losing a key hormone that helps convert tryptophan to serotonin, and ultimately to melatonin. Less progesterone means disrupted sleep patterns and increased anxiety.
The Foundation Supplements That Make a Difference
Based on her research, Andrea recommends what she calls the "Foundation Trio" for menopausal women:
1. Magnesium Bisglycinate The "superhero" of magnesium forms—gentle on the stomach, well-absorbed, and crucial for the hundreds of processes in your body. When we're stressed (and who isn't during menopause?), we deplete magnesium, which makes us more stressed. It's a vicious cycle that this supplement can help break.
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Essential for heart, brain, hair, nails, and skin health. Andrea's research shows they're particularly effective for dry eyes and itchy ears—those estrogen-deficiency symptoms that many women don't realize are connected to menopause.
3. Soluble Fiber Ensuring you're having at least one bowel movement daily is crucial for hormone detoxification and overall health during this transition.
I completely agree with these foundational supplements, though I always emphasize the importance of addressing oxidative stress first, especially post-pandemic. An antioxidant-rich diet opens up detoxification pathways, making these supplements more effective.
The Healthcare Gap That Must Be Bridged
Perhaps the most sobering finding from Andrea's research is that 40% of women are dismissed by their healthcare providers when they seek help for menopausal symptoms. Even more concerning, 17-18% had to visit their doctor four or more times before making the connection between their symptoms and menopause.
This is exactly why I believe we need to create resources to help women interview potential healthcare providers before committing to their care. Questions like: "Does this provider address nutritional and lifestyle factors?" and "Are they knowledgeable about hormone therapy and sexual health?" could save women months of frustration and medical "hopping."
Why Your Voice Matters More Than Ever
Throughout my conversation with Andrea, one theme emerged repeatedly: the power of using your voice. When women authentically share their experiences, several powerful things happen:
You realize you're not alone in what you're experiencing
You help other women along their journey
You contribute to research that can help future generations
You advocate for better healthcare for all women
As I often tell my patients, being heard and having your experiences validated is actually part of the healing process. Sometimes the most therapeutic intervention I can provide is simply listening and acknowledging that what you're going through is real and significant.
The Bigger Picture: We're All in This Together
Andrea's research represents something bigger than just symptom identification—it's about reclaiming our power during what should be a time of transformation, not suffering. When we understand that perimenopause can last 10-15 years (not the 1-2 years we were taught), we can approach this journey with better preparation and realistic expectations.
The women in our Magic Menopause community, ranging from their 30s to 70s, prove that this transition can be a time of empowerment, growth, and even renewed vitality. That 70-year-old who shared about reigniting her intimacy? She's living proof that our later years can be our most vibrant.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
If you're experiencing symptoms you haven't connected to perimenopause or menopause, I encourage you to:
Take Andrea's surveys at wearemorphous.com to contribute to this important research
Start with foundational support: proper nutrition, stress management, and quality supplements
Find a healthcare provider who understands the complexity of hormonal transitions
Join a supportive community where you can share your experiences openly
Consider bioidentical hormone support when appropriate
Remember, this journey doesn't have to be one you navigate alone. Whether through my Magic Menopause program, Andrea's research community, or simply connecting with other women going through similar experiences, support is available.
Ready to dive deeper into this groundbreaking research?
Listen to my complete interview with Andrea Donsky on The Girlfriend Doctor Show, where we explore all 103+ symptoms, discuss her latest libido research findings, and share practical strategies for thriving through menopause. You'll discover why the nervous system is most affected during this transition and learn Andrea's complete protocol for supporting your body naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many symptoms of menopause are there really?
A: According to Andrea Donsky's published research in the Journal of Menopause, there are 103+ symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, far more than the commonly cited 34-40 symptoms.
Q: What body system is most affected by menopause?
A: Research shows the nervous system is the most affected, which explains why 50-90% of the top 10 menopause symptoms are cognitive and mental health-related rather than just physical.
Q: Why do I wake up between 2-4 AM during menopause?
A: Studies indicate that 67% of menopausal women who experience this early morning waking cite anxiety and racing thoughts as the cause, often linked to declining progesterone levels affecting sleep-wake cycles.
Q: What are some lesser-known menopause symptoms?
A: Hidden symptoms include itchy ears, phantom smells (especially smoke), cold flashes, burning sensations in the scalp/mouth/tongue, vertigo, tinnitus, and social anxiety with feelings of impending doom.
Q: How long does perimenopause actually last?
A: Contrary to the 1-2 years commonly taught, research shows perimenopause can last 10-15 years, with many women experiencing symptoms for over a decade before making the connection to hormonal changes.
