Stiff or painful joints in menopause? For many women that comes with the territory. Up to around half of women notice joint complaints around the menopause (Santoro, 2016). Often they are linked to falling oestrogen. With the right approach there is usually something to ease.
I notice that women rarely link these complaints to menopause. You think of wear or age sooner than your hormones. Below you read what the role of oestrogen is and what seems to help.
Why do you get joint pain in menopause?
Oestrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps keep your joints and cartilage supple. When your oestrogen falls in menopause, your joints can become stiffer and more sensitive. That explains why many women notice complaints exactly in this phase.
The complaints are often in several joints at once.
Common joint complaints:
- Stiffness, especially in the morning when getting up
- Pain in hands, knees, hips or shoulders
- Complaints in several joints at once
- A feeling of being "rusty" that eases during the day
Is it menopause or something else after all?
Joint complaints have many causes, so menopause is not always the explanation. Osteoarthritis, an inflammatory rheumatism or a vitamin D deficiency can also play a part. That is why it makes sense to look further if the complaints persist.
A few things point more to a hormonal role:
- The complaints began around your cycle stopping or becoming irregular
- You also have hot flushes, sleep problems or mood complaints
- The stiffness is in several joints at once
- The complaints vary along with other menopausal complaints
Wondering where it comes from? Always discuss persistent joint complaints with your GP, who arranges further testing if needed.
Which value gives insight?
Joint complaints cannot be captured in one blood value, but your oestrogen can show whether you are in menopause. So you can see whether a hormonal role is likely. That gives a more focused starting point for a conversation.
| What you notice | Value that gives insight | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Stiffness, joint pain, hot flushes | Estradiol (E2) | Whether you are in menopause and how your oestrogen stands |
The Menopause Check brings your estradiol into view, among others. So you can see whether your complaints fit menopause or whether something else plays a part. Want to know more about a falling oestrogen? Then read about oestrogen deficiency, the symptoms and causes.
What can you do yourself?
Joint complaints in menopause can often be eased with movement, strength and a healthy weight. It comes down to keeping your joints supple without overloading them. What helps differs per person, so build up calmly.
What helps many women:
- Regular, steady movement, such as walking or swimming
- Strength exercises to support your muscles and joints
- A healthy weight, which relieves your joints
- Enough vitamin D, important for your bones and muscles
If the complaints persist or increase, do not keep living with them. Discuss with your GP what is sensible in your situation.
What happens after menopause?
After the menopause your oestrogen settles at a low level. In some women the joint complaints then become calmer, in others they stay present. Attention to your bones and muscles remains important afterwards.
A low oestrogen also plays a part in bone loss, so movement and nutrition remain useful.
Curious how your body changes after the menopause? Then read our article on post-menopause and what happens after menopause. Want the whole picture first? Then read our pillar on perimenopause, symptoms and solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Do joint complaints really belong to menopause?
Yes, it is a common complaint. The falling oestrogen can make your joints stiffer and more sensitive. Still, joint complaints also have other causes, so persistent pain deserves a check.
Do joint complaints go away after menopause?
In some women they become calmer once the hormones are more stable, in others they stay present. There is no fixed pattern, because it differs greatly per person.
Can a blood test explain my joint complaints?
A blood test does not explain joint complaints on its own, but it can show whether you are in menopause. So a hormonal role becomes more likely or less so. You discuss a result with your GP.
References
- Santoro N. Perimenopause: From Research to Practice. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2016;25(4):332-339.
- NHG-Standaard De overgang (Menopause). Dutch College of General Practitioners.
- Thuisarts.nl. I am going through menopause. Available via thuisarts.nl.
- Gezondheidsraad (Health Council of the Netherlands). Dietary reference values for vitamin D. Available via gezondheidsraad.nl.
Every blood test result through Lunara includes a professional assessment by a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
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