Menopause and Joint Health
For many women, menopause until recently used to be a taboo subject, women’s health and recent research that has allowed this topic to become more openly discussed and understood.
For some women, the symptoms of decreased bone health, osteoarthritis and rehumatoid markers start to surface around peri-menopause and into menopause. There is still a lot of scope for further research, however the links are becoming more distinct.
Links between Menopause, Osteo-arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
These links, seem to point towards Oestrogen levels and joint degeneration. 25% of women over the age of 45 present to their GP with symptoms of arthritis and 50% of women over the age of 50 will present with joint symptoms and associated menopause symptoms. Often some of these symptoms are self limiting and resolve within 2-5 years coinciding with their menopause symptoms.
There is some evidence to support the idea that rheumatoid arthritis, which is an auto-immune disorder, can be worsened with the advance of perimenopause, but there is yet inconclusive links between the onset of RA and hormonal change. It is noted that women tend to experience symptoms of the disease around puberty and later in life, whether this condition was pre-underlying and hormonal changes can flare inflammatory markers soaring is yet to be fully explored.
How and why do hormones affect your joints?
Synovial joints, or joints that are connected by a fibrous capsule, such as knuckles, knees, shoulders, elbows and spine (all the best joints) contain hormone receptors to maintain good health. Specifically, these are oestrogen receptors and when the levels of normal oestrogen for women starts to decline, these receptors can slow in their support for the joint. Of course, this inevitably leads to certain joints functionality or their lack of, and thus we start to notice pain, inflammation and discomfort.
What are the signs and symptoms to look for?
Be mindful of pain in certain joints which causes stiffness, weakness or sometimes swelling. Osteoarthritis is noticed first thing in the morning or after long periods of inactivity. Heat in the area is a sign of inflammation in the joint. Should the issue persist, please do seek advice from your chosen therapist or feel free to pop into NOVA Osteopathy and talk to Nick Jordan Osteopath in Coulsdon.
How best to reduce symptoms and relive pain?
There is sadly no cure for arthritis, however sports massage is considered to be one of the most successful methods to manage this condition. It helps to relieve pain and slow down the degeneration of the cartilage. It also suggested that having regular sports massages helps to release tension in the muscles and encourages joint health and mobility keeping people active and healthy.
Other well known methods are trying to keep active, especially through strength training we limit the symptoms of the horrible achiness and stiffness good
