Joint & muscle pain

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Joint & muscle pain

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Joint & muscle pain is a common symptom of menopause and strikes more than half of women during menopause. It is one of those symptoms that can make you feel older overnight!

These aches and pains tend to be worse in the morning and usually improve throughout the day. They can be generalised to an area like the neck, shoulders or the lower back. Joint aches are known as “arthralgia” and muscle aches are known as “myalgia”. Both become increasingly common with the onset of menopause and age.

It is also difficult to tell the difference between aches and pains from menopause and those from arthritis. While having joint pains doesn’t necessarily mean you have arthritis, it is essential to know when to ask for more help and advice.

50% - the number of South African women in the menopause transition who say they have experienced joint pain in the past 12 months (Source: Daliah SA Menopause Benchmark Study, 2022)

Why joint pain happens?

As women transition through menopause, the levels of two important hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – start to decrease. Both of these hormones have been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body, and so as their levels decline, it is not uncommon for inflammation levels in the body to increase. Inflammation can be a major cause of joint aches and pain. Oestrogen is also responsible for regulating fluid levels in the body, as well as helping with lubrication of joints. It is possible that when this hormone dips and ebbs during menopause, inflammation and pain can occur more easily.

In addition to the normal muscle aches and joint pains associated with menopause, there are other conditions that could cause joint pain and may require further medical attention. For example, Osteoarthritis (or wear-and-tear arthritis) is common among women as they age and is characterised by pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints. If you find that your pain is increasing over time, or impacting your daily life, you should seek professional medical advice.

What you can do

Here are a couple of things that you can do to help manage menopause-related joint pain and muscle aches.

Hydrate. Good old H2O keeps joints and tissues healthy. Pale and clear urine is a good sign that you are drinking enough water.
Proper nutrition can work wonders to keep inflammation at bay – the Mediterranean diet has been shown to help reduce inflammation levels in the body.
Reduce stress. Stress elevates a hormone called cortisol, which causes inflammation. We must do what we can to reduce stress with lifestyle changes. Read Daliah’s blog on stress management tips for menopause. (hyperlink)
Control your weight to help reduce musculoskeletal pain. It’s a good idea to start exercising gently and gradually build up the intensity to regular exercise. Weight-bearing exercises help a lot of women but if you experience pain keep it low impact: walking, swimming, and Yoga are great options.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Consider talking to your doctor to find out if HRT is suitable for you. HRT isn’t for everyone, and there are ways to manage your menopause-related symptoms through lifestyle adjustments, taking quality supplements, and wellness therapies. But if you find your symptoms are having a severe impact on your quality of life, relationships, or work, HRT may help you – even if just for a short while.

We’ll keep sharing new tips on how to manage the symptoms associated with menopause. Sign up for the Daliah Digest newsletter, to stay informed, equipped and supported through your journey.

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Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any health condition or problem.

Joint & muscle pain