Women entering menopause experience a critical life transition, often with related physical discomfort, such as breast fullness, weight gain, dry skin, and body aches. Studies have shown that these physical sensations can begin during perimenopause, which occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
If you’ve been experiencing aches and pains in your mid-forties and beyond, you’re not alone. While some menopausal women experience body aches in several areas, including the head and jaw, others experience pain and discomfort in their feet and heels. Hence, managing these sensations is an important part of every woman’s life.
You don’t have to navigate this challenging journey yourself. Since 2021, we have been a trusted Gold Coast menopause specialist that has supported numerous women in Australia with cost-effective, life-changing health interventions.
This blog explains the aches and pains commonly associated with menopause, empowering you to take charge of your long-term health and enjoy a high quality of life.
Insights into Menopause and Its Physiological Impact
Menopausal women experience several aches and pains, such as headaches, facial tension, bone discomfort, and tingling or numbness in the extremities. However, musculoskeletal pain, which affects the muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments, is among the most nagging physical discomforts they experience.
Typical examples include:
- Joint pain or stiffness.
- Muscle aches or cramps.
- Back pain.
- Neck or shoulder tension.
Scientific evidence has shown that perimenopausal and menopausal women have a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal pain than their premenopausal counterparts. Perimenopausal women experience these symptoms, which eventually worsen when they reach postmenopause.
Several factors can affect menopausal aches and pains, including age, body mass index (BMI), sleep, stress, pre-existing conditions, and lifestyle factors, such as physical activity level and nutrition. Experts also believe that hormonal changes can trigger these discomforts during menopause.
Women in their late 40s and beyond experience diminished ovarian function and lower oestrogen and progesterone levels. Oestrogen receptors’ location in the central nervous system (CNS, which relays pain sensations to the brain) has linked to fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone levels to musculoskeletal pain.
Genitourinary Pain
Diminishing hormone levels can lead to pain within the reproductive system and the following health issues:
- Pelvic pain: Lower oestrogen levels thin and dry tissue linings within the vaginal wall, triggering genitourinary pelvic pain or lower urinary tract irritation. Reduced oestrogen levels also increased the likelihood of pelvic floor disorders (PFD) and frequent urinary tract infections.
The former’s pelvic floor muscle spasm, nerve irritation, and pelvic organ prolapse and the latter’s inflammatory effects, bladder spasms, and increased nerve sensitivity cause throbbing sensations in the pelvic region.
- Uterine discomfort: Health experts trace uterine discomfort to uterine fibroids, which are benign growths from sex steroid hormones.
Although they usually decrease during menopause, it doesn’t always happen. Hence, women with uterine fibroids may experience abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) or intense pelvic pressure.
Reduced oestrogen levels can cause vaginal and uterine muscles to weaken. In some cases, the uterus or other pelvic organs protrude into the vaginal canal, leading to increased pressure and discomfort.
- Ovarian pain: Ovarian cysts can cause pain in the pelvic region during menopause. Postmenopausal women are susceptible to ovarian cysts, which can manifest as lower abdominal discomfort.
Back, Shoulder, and Joint Discomfort
Diminishing hormone levels during menopause can compromise muscle and bone function. Reduced oestrogen levels can lead to decreased cartilage, muscle mass, and bone mineral density. Hence, many women in their late 40s and beyond have higher inflammation levels and decreased joint lubrication, triggering bone and joint discomfort.
Menopausal women usually experience these common aches and pains:
- Back pain: 45-to-60-year-old women are susceptible to lower back pain. Women increase their risk of menopausal back pain when they enter their mid-40s.
- Adhesive capsulitis: Also known as frozen shoulder, adhesive capsulitis frequently impacts women aged 45 to 60 during perimenopause and menopause, caused by plummeting oestrogen levels compromising connective tissue flexibility.
Frozen shoulder can cause pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Physicians often recommend anti-inflammatory medications or physical therapy to remedy the situation.
- Knee pain: Health experts have linked menopausal knee pain to osteoarthritis, characterised by the deterioration of protective cartilage cushioning bone ends. Reduced oestrogen levels during menopause are often associated with this condition.
- Elbow pain: Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to elbow pain than their perimenopausal counterparts. Early menopause often leads to pain and inflammation in these synovial hinge joints.
- Hand pain: Women aged 50 years or older are prone to hand or finger osteoarthritis. Health experts have linked the condition to lower oestrogen levels.
Foot and Heel Discomfort
Oestrogen is critical to bone health. Unfortunately, declining levels in menopause often lead to weak, brittle bones (osteoporosis) and weaker connective tissues surrounding them. Hence, foot and heel discomfort is common among menopausal women.
- Foot pain: Studies have shown that menopausal women’s lingering issues with foot pain have compromised quality of life compared to non-menopausal women.
Balance and proprioception (a sensation that allows the body to perceive its own position and movement without using vision) also weaken with age.
- Heel pain: Declining oestrogen levels can compromise connective tissue elasticity, which can lead to plantar fasciitis ( a condition marked by stabbing or burning heel pain).
Tooth and Jaw Discomfort
Scientific evidence has shown that up to 4 out of 10 menopausal women experience burning mouth sensations and a lower pain threshold. Declining oestrogen levels change the structure of the mouth’s mucosal lining, reducing saliva levels and increasing the risk of an injury or an infection.
Menopausal and postmenopausal women may experience these oral discomforts:
- Tooth pain: Hormonal changes increase the likelihood of cavities, gingivitis, inflammatory lesions, and tooth loss—conditions that can cause tooth pain.
- Jaw pain: Postmenopausal women are at high risk of developing temporomandibular (TMD) disorders, which are neuromuscular issues affecting the jaw joint, muscles, and nerves. TMD often leads to pain in the face, neck, and jaw.
Conclusion
Aches and pains linked to hormonal changes are common during menopause, causing discomfort and compromising quality of life. If you’ve been experiencing common aches and pains associated with menopause, there’s no need to worry,
Consulting a highly experienced, reputable physician can help you overcome menopausal health issues and allow you to enjoy life in your golden years and beyond. Depending on your unique situation, your doctor may prescribe medication, therapy, or surgical intervention to alleviate the discomfort. Don’t delay—early detection can prevent the situation from escalating.
Take the first step in a healthier lifestyle today. Since 2021, Her Medical has empowered numerous women on the Gold Coast and surrounding neighbourhoods with cost-effective health services that deliver results.
Book your appointment to receive a personalised quotation and experience premium, life-changing health interventions for women.