I often feel pressure and a tingly/crawly skin sensation all over my scalp.  It is so annoying.  I get it a little in my legs and arms too, but mostly my scalp.  I hate to rub or scratch my head in public, since people will probably think I have an awful case of something nasty, but the urge to rub it is always there.  Even shampooing doesn't help.  Has anyone experienced this with menopause or postmeno?  

Madge, I have absolutely experienced this during perimenopause--and certainly never ever before. I have also gotten to the point where, in addition to the itching and tingling, my scalp has grown very tender to the touch. However, I think you may find that this set of symptoms comes and goes, as do many of the symptoms of perimenopause, probably in conjunction with some rising and falling hormone levels.

I also believe that the scalp sensations and the increased migraines I have had during perimenopause are closely linked. That is, the blood vessels in the scalp, as well as the nerve endings, are kind of "confused," and thus generate both sets of problems.

Hey, this is one symptom I TRULY expect to disappear forever after menopause. (Here's hoping.)

Thanks for answering, Terry.  I had a hysterectomy (kept my ovaries) at age 41, so I don't have periods to give me some idea of when I might be through menopause.  But I'm 59 now, so I should be just about done.  I've had the most intense symptoms from age 54 on--the tingling, insomnia, nighttim anxiety attacks, lightheadedness, tinnitus, etc.  I used to have migraine-like headaches  every few weeks when I was younger.  (They began after taking birth control pills in the 1960's and lasted until the mid 1990's.) Now that I have the tingling, I don't really have the bad headaches I had before.  (Except when I tried estradiol.--that brought migraines back with a vengeance, so I quit.) Maybe this tingling is just a variation of the vascular headaches (migraines) I used to have?  I used to worry that the tingling and feelings of pressure meant that maybe I was going to have a stroke. I guess I'm okay though. Nothing has happened so far.  Scary, though.

Say, Madge, don't laugh, but do you tint your hair?  I get that feeling for a couple of days after I tint my hair!  It is also accompanied by a tight scalp feeling.   Just a thought I had when I read your post, is all.... I used to be a cosmetology teacher, so I think of those kinds of weird things from time to time.    :)

HI, Kalanie!  I don't tint all of my hair,. I just  use Fanci-full at the temples to cover the gray .  The tingling is more in the top center part of my head.  I had a perm about 9 days ago, but the tingling just started 3 days ago.  Hmmmm.  I guess my head doesn't like something I'm doing, though.

Terry, now that you mention it, my scalp is tender to the touch too (where the tingling occurs).  I noticed it this morning when I washed my hair.  There must be others with this problem, and maybe some who will be kind enough to answer if they've been able to get rid of the tingling.

Hi everyone,

I have been here a few times and can really relate to all that you say - it is nice to know that I am not alone.

I too have a sensitve head, feel pressure, tingling and it really did concern me.  I am 46 and am having flushes, missed menses, crying and all the horrible things that go with peri.  I lost my mum 18 months ago and I am sure that this has not helped me.  I got to the stage of thinking that I had some sort of brain disease!  You have all really helped me - this feeling in my head comes and goes - but I am sure that the more I think about it the worse it becomes.  

I went to see a Chinese herbalist and am currently taking in a herbal drink - I hope it helps.  

Please reply - I would love to hear from some of you.

Keep the faith

Hiya, it's not a lot of fun this peri, is it??!! This is a good place to come anyway. You are still in the early days regarding losing your Mum, you need to be gentle with yourself.By the way, are you a fellow Brit? Just wondered with the use of Mum rather than Mom?

I've also had the head tingling.  I used to worry that it was something weird like a brain tumour; but after all these years I know that it will pass  momentarily,  and will only come a few times a year.  I jokingly tell my family that when I have this I'm a "numbskull".  

You know every now and then I experience tingling down the left side of my face almost a semi-numbness feeling it is a very scary feeling, I just assume it is a symptom, but it sure can be annoying. It comes and goes with me as well,

Hi All

Just thought that I would bring yo up to speed.  I have found that my herbal drinks+tablets are really working.  No more panic attacks (so far), palpitations have gone.  I am still getting my headaches and the pressure + a little tingling in my head but I think I am coming to terms with the fact that I (hopefully) do not have some sort of brain disease.  I did ask the herbalist about the headaches and she said that they are hormal - so I guess it all ties in.

I would just like to thank those who emailed me - it is so nice to know that you are not alone.  When I come back in my next life - I am coming back as a man.

Keep the faith

Mummy

Hello everyone,

I just was wondering whether anyone has experienced really awful headaches after having their eyes dilated during a routine yearly eye exam. This procedure never seemed to bother me when I was younger, but for the past two years I've gotten really miserable headaches that last for three or four days. I suppose that I could be allergic to the eye drops, but I am thinking that meno might be aggravating the situation.  Any thoughts???

thanks,  lioness

Hi Mummy,What herbs are you taking that are helping you so much ? I want some!!!!

Suzie

Hi Suzie

Sorry I have not got back to you - I have been away.  I don't know where you are based - I am in London UK and I go to a chinese herbalist.  You should really thinks about it - It has helped me!  Let me know if you want more info.

Mummy

Hi Mummy,Yes, do you know which herbs you're taking? I take don quai but it doesn't relieve all of my symptoms.Suzie

Hi Suzie

Not really sure whats in them - all sorts!!  I started off with actually herbs and I have graduated to pills!

Let me know if you want more info.

Mummy

Hmmmm.....I have had little scalp tingles as of late - what is this? anyone know? I imagined all sorts of things including stroke!

HHey Jimi, Yes, I have had the scalp tingles. It's a pain in the BUTT. But I'm still here so I guess it's not gonna kill us. My thoughts were going in the same direction as yours. But I think in both of our cases it's STRESS. You with the property and me with my Dad & everything else. Peace AA

There are lots of chemicals in the shampoos we use. Check them out. And going to a "natural" hair product doesn't offer much either. I had a severe reaction to a natural shampoo from Earthware.

I acquired a sensitivity to hair dyes and tints in the last 15 years. I cannot color my hair without having an allergic reaction. So I don't. I also noticed that some shampoos cause my scalp to tingle and feel tight. To make a long story short, I now use Head & Shoulder for Sensitive Scalp. I can't use anything else w/o my scalp drying out. Unfortunately, it doesn't leave my hair full and bouncy. Oh well.

<_<

madge,
please have a mri check for blood clots. i had the same tingling three yesars ago, i told the drs. and no one sent me to a neurologist... left unnattended i ended up with a stroke. remain paralyzed for the past two years on my left side. beware of sharp pain headache on the top of your head.... check it i wish someone would have alerted me. i was asked if i wore tight ponytails when i questioned the md about the sensation

Dear 'roerankin'

thank you very much for the alert.Better safe than sorry.You have been through a lot.I do hope you are doing much better.I actually suffered the most intense sharp pain just over the top of my left eye.Honestly,it was agony so had it checked out.Turned out to be badly blocked,infected sinuses.A dose of antibiotics did the trick

Please take care
God Bless
Elizabeth

my headaches were the week before the stroke daily. you are fortunate, i still pray for a miracle and continue therapy

you're welcom thanx for the reply

Dear'roerankin'
God Bless you and actually I do believe in miracles.I have added you to my Prayer list,if that is alright with you.

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth