What's actually happening.
Oestrogen has anti-inflammatory effects throughout the musculoskeletal system. As levels fall in perimenopause and menopause, women frequently develop morning stiffness, generalised aching, and sometimes specific conditions like frozen shoulder that are disproportionately common in women aged 45 to 55.
These symptoms are often blamed on age, exercise, or fibromyalgia, when the underlying driver is hormonal. They can also overlap with genuine arthritic or autoimmune conditions, so getting the diagnosis right matters.
Common signs
- · Morning stiffness, easing through the day
- · Generalised aching in neck, shoulders, lower back
- · Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- · Plantar fasciitis or new heel pain
- · Joint pain disproportionate to activity
How I approach this.
I take a careful history and examine the affected areas. Bloods are sometimes useful: ferritin, vitamin D, B12, thyroid, and inflammatory markers can help rule out other causes.
Where the picture is clearly menopausal, HRT often produces noticeable improvement within 12 weeks. Resistance training and adequate protein intake are equally important and worth doing regardless of HRT status.
Bone density also begins to fall rapidly in the first ten years post-menopause. HRT is the most effective preventive treatment for osteoporosis we currently have, and worth considering even where joint pain is not your primary concern.
Ready to move without thinking about it?
A 45-minute menopause consultation includes full assessment, a written plan, and an HRT prescription if appropriate.