Menopause and Joint Pain

Many women take a grin-and-bear it approach to menopause. And while we may be able to “ha ha ha” our way through hot flashes, some menopausal symptoms can be much more uncomfortable. Even painful. If you’re experiencing menopause and joint pain, this one’s for you.

What’s menopause?

Menopause marks the end of our reproductive years, when we haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months. This transition usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause affects our overall health, not just our reproductive organs.

Some menopausal symptoms will sound familiar, like:

• Hot flashes and heavy sweating
• Sleep challenges
• Mood swings

but there are plenty of weird menopausal symptoms too. One of them is achy and painful joints. In fact, more than half of menopausal women experience joint pain! Menopause-related joint aches are particularly common, and in one recent survey, they were experienced by almost 40% of women aged between 45 and 65.

What’s the deal with menopause and joint pain?

Menopausal joint pain often feels like aching, stiffness, or soreness. Swelling, tenderness, numbness, and weakness may also occur. These symptoms can be constant or come and go, but joints are often most painful during or right after physical activity. The root cause of menopause and joint pain can be tricky to diagnose because so many factors are at play, including decreasing hormone levels.

First, joint pain during menopause is most commonly linked to the decrease in estrogen levels that occurs during this season of life. That’s because joints have estrogen receptors that protect them and reduce pain and inflammation. Without a steady supply of estrogen, menopausal joints may swell and become painful.

Declining testosterone levels play a role in menopausal joint pain, too. As testosterone decreases, muscle mass does as well. Joints start to suffer because muscles weaken and struggle to do their job supporting the skeletal structure.

Treatment for Joint Pain and Menopause

Some menopause women find relief from musculoskeletal pain with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But menopause and joint pain treatment can also look like adding in more movement. Counterintuitive, but true!

The more you move, the more blood flow you have. The more blood flow you have, the more your body can do its job at recovering your achy muscles and strengthening stiff joints. And that can often kick menopause and joint pain to the curb.

If you’re experiencing joint pain and stiffness in menopause and you’ve not yet found relief, don’t give up! Movement, strength, and expert support can make menopause a chapter of resilience—not restriction. With the right PT support, your joints can stay strong and supported through it all. Give Meadowland Therapy a call and let us help!