Joint Pain and Menopause

Many people experience joint pain as part of natural aging, however, aches, stiffness and swelling around the joints are also common symptoms of menopausal joint pain. It is unclear why joint pain occurs during menopause but it is worth paying attention to as it can also indicate issues such as osteoporosis and arthritis. 

Menopausal joint pain is typically worst during the morning and most commonly effects the neck, jaw, shoulders, and elbows. Some women complain of stiffness and swelling, and others describe experiencing a burning sensation or shooting pain in the arms and legs. 

If you are suffering from joint pain, you should consider talking to your doctor or gynecologist. In addition, here are some non-invasive, lifestyle changes you can make that can help alleviate pain:

1.    Stay active – exercise strengthen joints and helps to maintain a healthy weight, which at puts less pressure on your bones and joints. 

2.    De-stress – stress releases cortisol which excites inflammation and can worsen joint pain. Getting regular exercise can also help with this. 

3.     Diets high in carbohydrates and sugars have been shown to cause chronic inflammation. Reduce your sugar intake and up your intake of fatty acids by incorporating foods like oily fish and leafy greens into your diet. You can also add known anti-inflammatories such as blueberries, turmeric and vitamin D sources. 

4.    You can take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen to help relieve every day pains, but you should talk to your doctor if your joint pain becomes worse or lasts more than a few days at a time.  

5.    Hormone replacement therapy is often the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms, however not all women want to take them. Talk to your doctor about alternatives. 

Source:

https://www.draliabadi.com/menopause/joint-pain-and-menopause/