There’s a lot going on during perimenopause—those years leading up to your final menstrual period. And the tricky thing about this phase of your life is that you can have so many, seemingly unrelated, symptoms. Joint pain is often one of them.
“Joint pain isn’t the first thing you think about when you think about menopause symptoms,” says Trevor Banka, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Henry Ford Health. “You expect hot flashes and dry skin, but it might not occur to you that your body aches are also related to menopause.”
How Estrogen Affects Everything
As you near menopause, the estrogen levels in your body start to diminish. And while you might not think that having less of that one hormone will make such a big difference, it does. One reason that estrogen has such an outsized effect on every part of your body is that there are estrogen receptors located throughout the body. This includes all parts of your musculoskeletal system—the bones, joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
There’s even a medical term for this condition: musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause (MSM). This catchall title acknowledges that menopause can lead to numerous body aches and pains.
Although doctors still don’t have all the answers as to how menopause and joint pain are linked, the drop in estrogen plays a clear role. Higher estrogen levels are known to protect joints, decreasing inflammation, pain and even bone and muscle loss.
Is it Arthritis … Or Just Menopause?
“It can be tricky to tell if the joint pain you’re experiencing is due to menopause or arthritis,” says Dr. Banka. “Both conditions tend to affect the same midlife and older population.”
One possible difference between menopausal joint pain and arthritis is where you feel the pain. An arthritic joint will feel stiff, swollen and painful. But you don’t typically develop arthritis in joints all over your body simultaneously. Menopause is more likely to lead to multiple achy joints without noticeable swelling.
Orthopedics at Henry Ford
Up to 70% of women experience some level of musculoskeletal pain during menopause. And if you also have chronic or newly developed arthritis, it could start to feel worse. “Not all menopausal joint pain is arthritis,” explains Dr. Banka. “But if you have arthritis, the decrease in estrogen at menopause can make it worse.”
How to Cope With Menopausal Joint Pain
Regardless of what’s causing your joint pain, there are several steps you can take to help improve it. “Staying active is the number one strategy,” says Dr. Banka. “When it comes to joint mobility, if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Instead of allowing joint pain and stiffness to limit your activity, find joint-friendly exercise options. “Walking, swimming and cycling are all good ways to stay active and maintain important muscle strength,” says Dr. Banka.
Because lower estrogen levels can lead to an increase in inflammation, eating a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet is also key. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (including salmon, chia seeds and walnuts) can help. Other anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy greens, nuts, olive oil and berries are also important.
Talking to Your Doctor About Menopause and Body Aches
If you’re experiencing joint pain and stiffness, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor. If you’re also having other menopausal symptoms, you might start with your gynecologist. In some cases, they might prescribe estrogen to help alleviate issues related to low estrogen—including joint pain.
You might also consider seeing an orthopedist if joint pain is keeping you from doing activities you enjoy. They can examine your joints and take X-rays to look for signs of arthritis.
Whether your joint pain is the result of arthritis, menopause (or both), getting a diagnosis is the first step toward getting relief.
Reviewed by Trevor Banka, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon who sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Centers - Bloomfield Twp and Fairlane and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
