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Many women experience joint stiffness, muscle aches, and bone pain during perimenopause. This can range from dull aches and cramps to shooting pains and spasms. The cause of this is thought to be linked to hormonal changes, specifically the decrease in estrogen, which helps regulate bone and muscle health and control inflammation. As estrogen levels drop, women may experience more discomfort and an increased sensitivity to pain. Additionally, reduced estrogen can lead to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can intensify pain sensations. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an option for alleviating menopausal symptoms, but it is important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare professional.
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What You'll Learn
Hormonal changes
During perimenopause, the levels of reproductive hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone fluctuate and eventually drop. These hormonal changes can contribute to a range of menopause symptoms, including muscle aches and pains. Oestrogen is the sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. It also helps regulate bone and muscle health and control inflammation. As oestrogen levels drop during perimenopause, women may experience muscle aches and pains.
Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone act as anti-inflammatory agents in the muscles and help lubricate the joints. So, when hormone levels decline during perimenopause, it can cause muscle and joint pains. This is more common in the mornings when hormone levels are typically at their lowest. Additionally, oestrogen may play a role in reducing the incidence and severity of osteoarthritis, a condition characterised by painful and swollen joints.
Fluctuating oestrogen levels can also increase pain sensitivity. Decreased oestrogen levels can make perimenopausal women more sensitive to pain, causing any discomfort to seem more noticeable. Furthermore, reduced oestrogen can lead to increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can intensify the perception of pain.
Progesterone also influences pain perception. It helps keep the body relaxed and raises the pain threshold. Fluctuations in progesterone during perimenopause could, therefore, explain bouts of musculoskeletal pain. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help alleviate menopausal symptoms, including muscle aches, by replenishing oestrogen levels. However, it is important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare professional before starting HRT.
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Increased pain sensitivity
The perimenopause years can increase your pain sensitivity and potentially predispose you to chronic pain conditions. During perimenopause, the levels of reproductive hormones like oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate and eventually drop. Oestrogen helps to protect your muscles from damage and inflammation after exercise or injuries, meaning you could feel more pain when levels are low. Reduced oestrogen can also lead to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, and high cortisol levels can make pain seem more intense.
Progesterone is responsible for keeping your body relaxed and raising your pain threshold. Fluctuations in progesterone during perimenopause could explain bouts of musculoskeletal pain. Aches and pains in your muscles can also be the result of problems with your joints, such as the tendons in your hips, where pain can radiate into the surrounding muscles.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces the hormones lost due to menopause and can help to relieve menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, anxiety and sleep problems. There is evidence that HRT can help with musculoskeletal pains caused by menopause. However, despite the links between reproductive hormones and muscle pain, there is limited evidence that HRT can help in this case.
Simple lifestyle changes and at-home treatments can soothe your aches and help you feel more like yourself. Staying active can lessen pain severity and boost your overall quality of life. Exercises like yoga and pilates may be beneficial for low back or neck pain.
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Joint problems
Perimenopause can cause joint problems, which can range from stiffness to chronic pain. During perimenopause, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels fluctuate and drop. These hormones act as anti-inflammatory agents and help lubricate joints. When their levels fall, it can cause joint pain. Oestrogen may also play a role in reducing the incidence and severity of osteoarthritis.
Many women experience joint stiffness, muscle aches or bone pain during perimenopause. This pain can range from short-lived discomfort to chronic pain that persists over months or even years. Women are also more likely to get osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis during menopause. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain and stiffness due to thinning or roughening of the cartilage covering the bone surface in the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the cells that line the joints, making them swollen, stiff and painful.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help alleviate menopausal symptoms, including joint pain, by replenishing oestrogen levels. However, it is important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider before starting HRT. Simple lifestyle changes and at-home treatments can also help soothe joint pain. Staying active and exercising regularly can lessen pain severity and improve quality of life. Yoga and pilates can improve flexibility, strength and posture, while strength training can help combat the loss of lean body mass during perimenopause.
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Osteoporosis
Perimenopause is associated with a decrease in reproductive hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. This hormonal fluctuation can contribute to a range of menopause symptoms, including musculoskeletal pain. Oestrogen, for instance, helps protect muscles from damage and inflammation post-exercise or injury, and lower levels of this hormone can increase pain sensitivity.
To reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, it is important to prevent bone loss. Exercise is the most effective strategy to maintain healthy bones and muscles. A combination of progressive resistance training and moderate-impact weight-bearing exercises can improve and maintain bone density, as well as increase muscle mass and strength.
Additionally, a healthy diet and supplements can help protect bones. Eating enough calcium and taking a vitamin D3 supplement can aid in calcium absorption. Probiotic supplements can also help with osteoporosis risk, alongside a range of other menopause symptoms.
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Treatment options
Muscle aches and joint pain are common during perimenopause, and these problems may persist even after menopause. However, there are several treatment options that can help alleviate discomfort and pain.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT replaces the hormones lost due to menopause, including estrogen and progesterone. It comes in tablets, skin gels, or patches and can help alleviate menopausal symptoms, including musculoskeletal pain, by replenishing estrogen levels. However, it is important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider, especially if there is a history of blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or breast cancer.
- Over-the-counter medications: Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help manage muscle pain. It is recommended to consult a pharmacist or doctor before taking any new medications to ensure safety and avoid interference with existing medications.
- Physical Activity and Exercise: Regular physical activity and specific exercises like yoga and pilates can improve flexibility, strength, and posture, helping to reduce muscle aches and joint pain. Strength training, including bodyweight exercises, and heavy lifting can help combat the loss of lean body mass during perimenopause. Maintaining a healthy weight through physical activity can also reduce pressure on joints and strengthen supporting muscles.
- Lifestyle Changes: Simple lifestyle changes, such as improving posture, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep, can help reduce muscle tension and pain.
- Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist can advise on targeted exercises and movements to restore function and reduce pain in problem areas.
- Medical Advice: It is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional if muscle pain persists, is severe, or interferes with daily activities. They can advise on specific treatments, investigations, and diagnoses based on individual symptoms.
While perimenopause does not always require treatment, these options can help manage muscle aches and associated symptoms, improving quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, perimenopause can cause muscle aches.
Muscle aches during perimenopause can range from dull aches, throbbing and cramps to shooting pains and even spasms. Stiffness in the muscles is quite common, and some women experience a tingling or crawling sensation, especially in their legs.
Fluctuating levels of the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone during perimenopause can cause muscle aches. Oestrogen helps to protect your muscles from damage and inflammation, so with lower levels of oestrogen, you may feel more pain. Lower oestrogen can also lead to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which can make pain seem more intense.
There are several ways to relieve muscle aches during perimenopause:
- Exercise: Strength training can help combat the loss of lean body mass during perimenopause. Mind-body exercises like yoga may be especially beneficial for low back or neck pain.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT can help alleviate menopausal symptoms, including muscle pain, by replenishing oestrogen levels. However, it is important to discuss the benefits and risks with a healthcare provider first.
- Over-the-counter medications: Anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, can help with muscle pain. It is important to speak to a pharmacist or doctor before taking any new medication.
- Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist can advise on therapy through movement and exercise, targeting problem areas in your body to help restore movement and function.
You should see your doctor if your muscle pain persists or is severe, or if it gets in the way of your ability to perform your normal activities. These could be signs of a systemic pain problem that may require treatment. In some cases, severe pain can be life-threatening, so seek immediate medical attention for muscle pain accompanied by trouble breathing, dizziness, or a high fever with a stiff neck.
