Why do we get joint pains during menopause?

Women can be affected by a long list of ailments during our perimenopause and menopause. Just think weight gain, hot flushes, mood swings, sleeplessness, fatigue, brain fog, UTIs.

And joint pains. And guess what? All these are “normal” during that time of your life. 

What causes the joint pains?

The primary female hormone, oestrogen, protects our joints and reduces inflammation. During perimenopause – the transition to menopause – your levels of reproductive hormones like oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate and gradually drop. After menopause, they remain permanently low. 

When Oestrogen levels drop during menopause this protection decreases and you can be more prone to inflammation of joints, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. 

Osteoporosis is brittle and weak bones that are down to hormonal changes like the ones in menopause. Osteoarthritis is the inflammation of joints, resulting in swollen and painful joints.

How is Menopausal Joint Pain different to other joint pain?

The main difference is that it happens during menopause/perimenopause. Although menopausal joint pain may be worse in the morning – and go hand in hand with stiff joints – this can also apply to joint pains in other age groups.

If first thing in morning is bad for you, check if it gets better during the day. The homeopathic remedies that can support you then will differ. 

The most affected joints are shoulders, wrists, and elbows. Neck and jaw, and fingers may be affected too.

This does not mean that other joints can’t be affected.

The pains can be described as shooting pains, burning pains, stiffness and swelling. They may be better or worse for working out.  

What can I Do?
There are many ways to support yourself when you’re experiencing joint pain while going through menopause.

Listen to yourself.
What makes things better or worse. Work with that. If you feel better for movement, then move more. If it’s better to rest, then incorporate that.

Regular exercise is always good, not just for menopause, but for your heart and mind as well. Low impact is good for your joints, think swimming, cycling, hiking, yoga, pilates etc.

We can’t let you off without mentioning diet…
Everything in moderation of course – balance is key.
If your joints are inflamed it’s good to think of foods that counteract that.

Calcium rich foods (that does not necessarily mean dairy – think greens and beans),
vitamin D supplements, good quality proteins. Fibre.
Adding protein to your diet will help promote and maintain muscle mass, which is vital for bone support.

Check out all your elimination pathways…are they clear?

If elimination pathways are clear, inflammation will reduce. These are your elimination pathways:

-       Mind (emotions)

-       Skin (eczema, fungal infections etc)

-       Intestines (stool)

-       Respiratory (asthma, hay fever etc)

-       Liver (bile)

-       Kidneys (urine)

 

Homeopathy can support with joint pains, inflammation and clearing your elimination pathways.

Infos on how to take your remedies can be found here.

Would you like to find out more? Book a free 15 Minute chat with me.

©Tree of Life Homeopathy – Stephanie Joachim - May 2024