Does menopause cause numbness and tingling?

Yes, it can. During perimenopause and menopause, some women notice numbness, tingling, pins and needles, burning, or odd buzzing sensations. In our menopause symptom guide, tingling and numbness in the hands, feet, arms, or legs are included among the neurological symptoms that can show up as estrogen fluctuates and drops, which may make nerve sensations more noticeable.

Skin symptoms can overlap too. At Alloy, we also note that some women experience tingling, numbness, or burning of the skin, called paresthesias, along with menopause-related itching or dryness.

That said, menopause isn’t the only possible cause. Thyroid problems can cause numbness or tingling in the hands, and other articles in our library note that anxiety, low blood sugar, some medications, and other medical issues can cause similar sensations too. If it’s new, persistent, getting worse, or interfering with daily life, it’s a good idea to get it checked rather than assume it’s only menopause.

If you want to read more, these pages are the most relevant: The 34 symptoms of menopause, Estrogen and the “internal tremor”, and Thyroid hot flashes and menopause.

If menopause is the bigger picture and you’re having other symptoms too, at Alloy, our menopause-trained doctors can review your symptoms and talk through treatment options through an online consult.

This answer was created using the following resources: