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Moving Through Menopause: Adapting to Changes By Claire B. Crompton
Stephanie Faubion, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health, explains, "We know one of the most common menopause symptoms is joint aches and that's just more recently recognized." While everyone experiences menopause symptoms differently, joint pain and stiffness may range from a minor annoyance that comes and goes to a long-term problem that can decrease women's day-to-day quality of life. Women experiencing menopause are also likely to be undergoing age-related changes such as muscle and bone loss. In some women, bone loss is worsened during menopause as estrogen levels decrease. When bones reach a certain stage of weakness, known as osteoporosis, the risk of fractures from minor falls or even performing everyday activities increases. The good news is there are effective lifestyle modifications and treatments women can talk about with their health care provider before, during and after menopause. “Staying active becomes hugely important and has to be a focus in midlife," Jordan says. She adds that exercise can help improve muscle strength, optimize bone health, help metabolism and keep women healthy and active longer. Jordan reminds women, "The message should not be, 'Welcome to midlife and welcome to old age: You are meant to feel bad the rest of your life.'" By paying attention to and understanding how their bodies are changing during midlife, women can instead become empowered to take steps to feel their best during menopause and beyond.
During midlife and menopause, many women may experience often-unrecognized changes that impact their musculoskeletal system that includes muscles, tendons, joints and bones. It is estimated that "70% of midlife women will experience a new onset of musculoskeletal pain," according to Diedra R. Manns, a certified menopause health coach. She explains this can be related to the estrogen depletion that occurs during menopause. Although there can be other causes of musculoskeletal pain, Kathleen Jordan, M.D., chief medical officer of Midi Health, says that menopause should be kept in mind, especially if the pain happens around the time of other symptoms of menopause such as a change in menstrual periods or hot flashes.
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MARCH 2025
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