In this episode, Dr. Amigues is with Dr. Block, a physician with a special focus on women’s health, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. We’ll be talking about how these stages of life can affect your body, especially your joints, and what you can do to feel better. Dr. Block shares his expertise on managing symptoms like joint pain, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and more.
What’s Really Happening During Perimenopause and Menopause?
For most women, the journey toward menopause starts with perimenopause, a phase that can begin in your mid-to-late 40s (sometimes earlier) and last for several years. During this time, your body begins to produce less estrogen, which leads to the classic symptoms—irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and sometimes, unexplained weight gain.
But there’s one symptom many women don’t always expect: joint pain. It’s often brushed off as just part of getting older, but it’s worth understanding how menopause can affect the joints, too. It’s easy to assume that your aches and pains are “just normal,” but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to live with them.
The Link Between Hormones and Joint Pain
During perimenopause and menopause, the body experiences a significant drop in estrogen. This hormone plays an important role in keeping our bones strong and our connective tissues flexible. As estrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decrease, the joints can become more stiff, and pain can become more pronounced.
Studies show that women going through menopause report joint pain at nearly twice the rate of men in the same age group. But it’s not just a simple case of wear and tear. The hormonal shifts can directly impact the cartilage, ligaments, and tendons that support our joints. For some, this can lead to more pain and discomfort, especially in areas like the knees, hips, and hands.
Interestingly, research has found that estrogen replacement therapy (HRT) can help improve joint health. In fact, women who have had their ovaries removed (which significantly lowers estrogen levels) often experience brittle cartilage, but estrogen therapy can help restore cartilage hydration and flexibility. While HRT isn’t right for everyone, it can be part of the conversation with your doctor if joint pain is bothering you during menopause.
A Holistic Approach to Menopause Care
Managing symptoms during perimenopause and menopause isn't just about treating one thing at a time. It's about looking at the whole picture and addressing multiple factors that could be contributing to your discomfort. When you experience joint pain, it’s essential to get to the root cause. Is it just muscle soreness around the joint? Is it an issue with the tendons or ligaments? Or is it a more serious bone issue?
As part of a holistic approach, a healthcare provider will evaluate the joint itself through physical exams and imaging to rule out things like arthritis or other joint conditions. From there, they can help you decide on a treatment plan that might include hormone therapy, joint-specific treatments, lifestyle changes, or physical therapy.
The bottom line is that if you're experiencing joint pain during menopause, it's not something you just have to live with. Your doctor can work with you to find the right solution—whether that's through medication, physical therapy, or something as simple as adding joint-friendly supplements or exercise into your routine.
Empowering Women to Seek Help
One of the biggest misconceptions about menopause is that it’s something you just have to "deal with" as part of getting older. But that’s simply not true. Many women go through this transition without seeking help, assuming that their symptoms will fade on their own. The reality is, menopause is a phase in life that deserves just as much attention and care as any other stage of life.
If you're experiencing joint pain, fatigue, or changes in your mood or sleep patterns, don’t wait for it to pass. Talk to your doctor about what you're going through. There are treatments and lifestyle changes that can make a huge difference in your overall well-being.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re going through perimenopause or menopause, and you're dealing with symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, or mood changes, don’t ignore it. Seek help and know that there are treatment options available to improve your quality of life.
Menopause is a natural phase in life, but it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or disabling. With the right care, you can manage symptoms, prevent long-term issues, and feel like yourself again. Whether it’s through hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, or targeted treatments for joint pain, there’s a path forward.
Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Knowledge is power, and the more you understand about the changes happening in your body, the better equipped you’ll be to make decisions about your health. You deserve to feel your best, no matter what stage of life you're in.
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