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Post Menopausal Joint Pain

A woman is considered to be post-menopausal when she has gone a full year without a menstrual period. Official menopause and post-menopause occur simultaneously. When a woman stops menstruating for good, she is apt to experience joint pain, which is due to the lack of estrogen in her body.

  1. Joint Pain

    • As a woman's estrogen levels decline, she is more likely to experience joint inflammation and pain, as well as muscle stiffness. Women who take hormone therapy replacement (HRT) experience a decrease in joint pain and a lessening of severity when it comes to stiffness and pain; however, there are risks associated with HRT so many women are opting not to go this route.

    Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Estrogen

    • Womentowomen.com explains that the falling levels of estrogen aggravate chronic inflammation. Estrogen has anti-inflammatory properties. When it is no longer present in sufficient amounts it can no longer serve in this capacity.

    Osteoarthritis

    • Most menopausal women are middle aged so their bodies have some wear and tear and mileage on them. Osteoarthritis can crop up at this time. Osteoarthritis also results in joint pain, swelling and inflammation, all of which hurt. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that is the result of over-used of joints.

    Ethnicity

    • Asian women are at a higher risk than Caucasian women of experiencing arthritis and pain during menopause because they have lower estradiol (estrogen) levels, according to Beautyandthebath.com.

    Diet

    • Eating soy products, which contain phytoestrogens, may help reduce your joint pain and inflammation.

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