Joint pain and menopause

Joint pain can be a symptom of the menopause

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Joint pain is one of the more common menopause symptoms and it can be one of the more debilitating as it reduces mobility and flexibility. Here, our menopause expert Eileen Durward talks about what triggers joint pain in the menopause, and how it can be eased through lifestyle changes and natural remedies.

Ask our menopause expert Eileen your question.

Eileen talks about: Joint pain

An introduction to joint pain and menopause

Joint pain affects many people as they get older and is also common among menopausal women. Aches, stiffness and swelling around the joint and sometimes heat are typical symptoms of menopausal joint pain. These may be worse in the morning, improving as the day continues.

Joints which experience high impact such as the hips and knees tend to be most affected by this so called ’menopausal arthritis.’ Hands and fingers can also be affected. High impact exercise such as jogging can exacerbate the problem, although this is often eased with rest.

The hormone oestrogen has an important role in maintaining joint and bone health. It is not certain how it does this, but it is thought that it works by minimising swelling around the joint. As you reach the menopause, levels of oestrogen in your body begin to drop. This gives rise to common menopause symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats, and may also result in swollen and painful joints.

Dehydration can also cause joint pain because of a build up of uric acid which can cause inflammation in your joints. Oestrogen is also important for regulating fluid levels in your body, and with falling levels of the hormone, you find that your body is unable to retain water efficiently.

Diet, lifestyle and home remedies for joint pain

It is important to reduce the pressure of repetitive strain, such as jogging on hard roads, to protect your joints. At the same time though, keeping them flexible will reduce joint pain. Some exercises such as yoga and swimming are beneficial for strengthening your muscles and joints without exerting too much pressure on them.

Diet can have a positive influence on your joint health. Many fruit and vegetables have properties which reduce inflammation. Having a balanced diet is not only healthy and will help you with many menopause symptoms, but will keep your weight level correct. Being overweight will add extra stress onto your joints, increasing your problem.

Calcium is particularly important as it keeps your bones strong and healthy. As you are going through the menopause you may find a calcium supplement beneficial. However, for calcium to be absorbed into your bloodstream effectively, it is important to also have a high intake of magnesium, achieved by including nuts, wholegrains and dried fruit into your diet.

Alternatively, taking a calcium and magnesium supplement would provide some of the same benefits. Some women find that taking magnesium on its own is very effective, as it helps to relax tense muscles.

Stress, surprisingly, can have a negative effect on your joint health. If you are experiencing a lot of stress, your body will release high quantities of the hormone cortisol. This hormone works as an inflammatory agent, and so high levels of stress during the menopause will only make your joint pain worse. It is important if you tend to experience stress to take time to relax every day.

Alternative treatments such as massage or acupuncture help many women with their joint pain symptoms. They directly target the area of pain in order to ease the symptom.

Are there herbal remedies to help me?

Some women might experience ‘rheumatic’ type pains coming from the inside of a joint. This is where Devil’s Claw can help – it has a similar effect to that of steroids, although without the steroidal compounds, so without the associated side effects. The herb is gentle to the body and may take up to 4 weeks to work its way into the body.

Eileen's TOP TIP: Devil’s Claw is best taken after food. If your joint pain is troublesome, start off with a higher dose of Devil’s Claw. Take two tablets twice daily of Atrosan for 3 to 5 days, then 1 tablet twice daily.

Atrosan^® – Devil’s Claw tablets for muscle and joint pains

Relieves muscle & joint pain, backache and lumbago. Also available in 60 tablet size. More info

What about conventional medicine?

Conventional medicines for joint pain include painkillers and anti-inflammatories. However, they are not usually recommended for joint pain associated with the menopause as the pain is a symptom rather than the cause itself. To treat menopausal joint pain, your doctor may consider the use of HRT.

If your pain is severe, and home and herbal remedies are ineffective, then there may be another underlying cause. In this case, or if you are worried about your condition, it is important to talk to your doctor as he will be able to prescribe a treatment to help you.

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94 Comments

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Ciara — 17.02.2019 19:32
I'm 46, have aches and pains in elbows, hope and right side of body. I'm finding it hard to lose weight. I don't eat many carbs. Is there any supplenent to help my body feel energetic and lose fluid and fat Thank you.
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- Eileen — 19.02.2019 12:11
  Hi Ciara You could try the herb Siberian Ginseng as this is known to help with energy. Fluid build-up is often caused by dehydration so taking a diuretic may make symptoms worse; drinking lots of plain water every day can often be really helpful for many symptoms including fatigue!
  Reply
Alita — 08.11.2018 01:40
Hi it’s been a hard two months for me. Woke up one morn8ng and could barely walk, my legs, thighs, arms made me feel like I worked out all night. Hot flashes started to increase. I thought I was go8ng to die. I started taking Citracal Calcium Citrate Supplements with manganese and zinc. Still waiting for my joints to feel better,if I sit too long i my joints get so stiff until I start walking.... I fear I will never feel 100% again. I turn 49 this year.
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- Eileen — 08.11.2018 11:54
  Hi Alita It is important to go and see your doctor about this. Any sudden appearence of joint pain could indicate other health issues such as low iron, low thyroid function or low vitamin D, your doctor can test for these just to rule them out. In the meantime I have posted a more comprehensive video blog on how you can help yourself so please do take a look. http://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/eileens-blog/2015/12/a-vogels-menopause-mondays-joint-aches-pains/
  Reply
- Caprice — 27.11.2018 18:59
  Omg! I feel the same way! I’ve had terrible headaches! My back knees, and legs hurt! I have been feeling like my life is ending. I’ve had MRI’s, Ct’s, blood work. I’ve been feeling like I will never be 100% again too! I just turned 49 last month! I am beginning to think the doctors and everyone else thinks I am crazy!
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- Alita Barbee — 27.11.2018 23:53
  Yep- I thought I was dying too. I started taking a Citracal supplement with D3. I have to say it has helped.
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- Sherrie — 15.12.2018 18:55
  I thought I was going crazy..I woke up one morning about 2 months ago and my knees hips ankles shoulder and back were in so much pain. My knees hips and back severely. I just turned 49 know September and I feel so helpless some days. I dont know what to do.
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- Eileen — 17.12.2018 09:50
  Hi Sherrie Hopefully the tips above will be of benefit for you but if you are worried please see your doctor as well.
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- Britta — 18.01.2019 00:35
  That happened with me at 47. I got real hormones, hrt, and the aches went away. When I forget to take the pill, the joint pain comes back immediately.
  Reply
- Gloria — 14.03.2019 21:43
  I turned 49 in November and I’ce Been feeling the same way my hips and upper arms near my shoulders you, I’m not alone, thank you.
  Reply
Leondra Roberts — 19.10.2018 17:42
Hi it’s been one year since I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer at 45. I had optimal full debulking surgery followed by chemo. I am so sore all the time and can not take any oestrogen as this is the hormone that caused my cancer. Do you have any advice that might help my mobility?
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- Eileen — 22.10.2018 08:24
  Hi Leondra The herb Devils Claw is often used for joint and/or muslce pain and fish oil supplements are known to help with mobility but you would need to discuss using these with your doctor or consultant first. Acupuncture can often be effective so worth looking into especially if you can find a practitioner who specialised in pain management. You can find a local practitioner through www.acupuncture.org.uk
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- Rachel — 05.01.2019 18:00
  Hi leondra , ive been searching for advice too after i was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a year ago . After my operation and 6 rounds of chemo i have a lot of joint pain from my waist down and unsure if it was connected to chemo or menopause and not sure what i can or cannot take . Ive tried massage and centrum vitamins as well as vitamin d . Ive had alot of advice but nothing seems to of helped so like you im looking for advice . I hope your doing well now xx
  Reply
- Eileen — 07.01.2019 07:36
  Hi Rachel, The advice I have given above may help you too, but (as explained above) you will need to talk it through with your consultant too.
  Reply

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