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.
Unfortunately, unlike many other symptoms of the menopause, joint pain may not subside when hormones level out, but there are many lifestyle changes that can help ease pain and prevent it from getting worse.
Exercise: Both resistance and aerobic exercise can boost bone density in people with low estrogen levels due to menopause. Improving bone density may reduce joint pain. Exercise can also help manage weight, improve muscle mass, lower stress levels, and improve your quality of life.
Joint pain during menopause can take many different forms. The pain may feel like a dull ache, a twinge, or a shooting sensation. Your joints may also feel stiff. And while joints themselves are most commonly affected, the pain may also seem to emanate from your tendons, muscles, or bones.
Loss of Oestrogen and testosterone:
Oestrogen protects joints and reduces inflammation, but when estrogen levels drop, inflammation can increase, the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis can go up and make it painful to move freely.
From hot flushes and irregular periods to mood swings and stiff joints, menopause symptoms are not something to downplay. They can have a significant impact on day-to-day life and, sometimes, they can even overlap with arthritis symptoms, which can make it even trickier to get a diagnosis.
B Vitamins
Riboflavin – found in milk, eggs, mushrooms, and fortified cereals – daily recommended intake of 1.1mg for women. Niacin – found in meat, fish, eggs, and wheat flour – daily recommended intake of 13.2mg for women. Pantothenic acid – found in chicken, beef, eggs, mushrooms, and avocados.
Acute pain in multiple joints is most often due to inflammation, gout, or the beginning or flare up of a chronic joint disorder. Chronic pain in multiple joints is usually due to osteoarthritis or an inflammatory disorder (such as rheumatoid arthritis) or, in children, juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Lifestyle factors absolutely play a role, including getting sufficient sleep, lowering stress levels, eating a nutritious and anti-inflammatory diet, and controlling toxin exposure. Along with these factors, there are some key supplements to help keep inflammation down. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and hormone.
The role of estrogen replacement in joint pain
As already discussed, some research suggests that estrogen replacement is beneficial in relieving joint pain symptoms, other research suggests a non-beneficial effect.
Commons Indicators for the End of Menopause
Women may find that they are sleeping better and feeling healthier overall as their hormone levels even out. This can also lead to improvements in mood, energy levels, and cognitive function.
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies
phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains. folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid) St. John's wort.
There are 3 vitamins that are important to keep topped up during menopause – vitamin D, B vitamins, and vitamin E.
Vitamin B12 helps to produce red blood cells and maintain the health of the nervous system. During menopause, women may experience fatigue and memory loss which are common symptoms, Vitamin B12 can help to improve these symptoms by maintaining the health of the nervous system.
Menopause is divided into three basic stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. During this time, the ovaries begin to atrophy which causes a decline in the production of the hormones that stimulate the menstrual cycle; estrogen and progesterone.
It's water. Drinking more (good) water is the one simple lifestyle change that can possibly improve brain function, make skin, hair, and nails healthier, reduce urinary urgency and bladder irritation, relieve menopause nausea and hot flashes, reduce the intensity and frequency of headaches, and ease menopause cramps.
Vitamin B12 it is used to break down estrogen so that it can be excreted from the body. As a result, women with B12 deficiency may experience infertility or irregular cycles because high estrogen levels can cause lack of ovulation, embryo implantation failure, and difficulty maintaining pregnancy.
Sudden and widespread joint pain can result from infections, inflammatory diseases, and complications of some health conditions. Influenza (flu) is a common infection that can cause sudden joint pain. Some types of arthritis and autoimmune diseases can also do this.
The list of menopausal side effects is extensive – from mood swings, to hot flashes, fatigue and more; and while achy, swollen joints are a common side effect of aging, recent studies have found that they can also be a side effect of menopause.
Does menopause joint pain go away? Most women do find that symptoms such as joint pain begin to ease off through the menopause as hormone levels even out and stabilise. However, this can also depend on your general health, stress levels, diet, exercise etc. So looking after yourself well at this time is very important.
Falling Estrogen levels
During perimenopause or menopause, a woman's ovaries either stop producing estrogen or the levels begin to decline thus triggering joint pain, swelling, weakness and a lack of mobility.