Joint Pain During Menopause: What Should You Do

Overview

Menopause occurs when you stop having periods and are unable to conceive. A lack of hormones in the body can result in a number of symptoms. Menopause is characterized by body aches and joint aches, as well as an increase in arthritic symptoms. All of the joints in the body can be impacted. As per our best orthopedic doctor in Kolkata, many women suffering from menopausal arthritis tend to ignore the symptoms of the same.

Here we’ve discussed in brief the relationship between joint aches and menopause.

Why do you experience joint pain during menopause?

Though the specific cause-and-effect relationship between menopause and joint pain has yet to be determined, there is evidence that there is one. Pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints are frequent symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), which is caused by the breakdown of protective tissue between bones. Because OA disproportionately affects women in menopause, hormone changes are thought to contribute to arthritis symptoms. Aside from hormones, excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle, dehydration, poor diet, smoking, and stress can all cause or worsen joint pain.

Because estrogen is a natural anti-inflammatory, it's possible that when it fluctuates, inflammation becomes more common. Furthermore, estrogen affects fluid levels throughout the body, so if your skin is drier and less elastic, your joint tissue may be as well.

When to seek medical help for joint pain?

The following are the signs to check for, according to orthopedic experts in Jaipur:

You have a painful joint and some redness around the swelling.

You've been hurt and suspect you've broken a bone; you have a high or low temperature and feel very unwell or dizzy; you have a quick heart rate or rapid breathing:

• If you're dizzy, drowsy, or having trouble speaking,
• You haven't peed all day.
• You should see a doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
• Severe night sweats accompanied by weight loss or enlargement of the glands:
• Joint swelling
• loss of appetite.
• Feeling stiffness in your joints
• A history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Consult your doctor if you suffer from joint pains during menopause but have no other worrying symptoms. Speak with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve with self-care or if they reoccur.

Can HRT (hormone therapy) treat menopausal joint pain?

Some research suggests that hormone therapy may help with both menopause and RA (rheumatoid arthritis), whereas other information suggests that it may not.

Hormone replacement therapy has both beneficial and negative impacts on RA symptoms. They state that more research is needed before drawing any conclusions about this therapy option and its relationship to RA.

What can you do to manage the symptoms of menopausal arthritis?

You can take actions to control both menopausal and RA symptoms. Treatments for menopause may also help with RA symptoms in some people, although this isn't always the case.

Treatments for menopause frequently comprise one or more of the following:

• Birth control with low hormone levels
• non-hormonal therapy
• Low-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Certain nutrients, such as soy, may be beneficial in alleviating menopausal symptoms.
• Body and mind techniques such as yoga, acupuncture, and meditation may also be beneficial.

Other measures you might take to manage menopausal symptoms along with menopausal arthritis pain include:

• Maintaining physical activity and regular exercise
• Regular assessment of bone density
• Calcium and Vitamin D supplements intake
• Discussing your sexual health and needs with your partner and a healthcare professional
• Sleeping in a dark, cool room, limiting heavy meals before bed; avoiding bright lighting at bedtime, and exercising earlier in the day are all examples of good sleep hygiene.

Apart from the above mentioned ways, losing a few pounds, and managing your stress level through yoga and meditation can help you a lot.

If you or your loved ones are experiencing menopausal arthritis along with other menopausal symptoms, you can consult our top orthopedic doctors in Kolkata. They will accompany you on your road to recovery.