Understanding Menopause Pain: Is It Common?

What is Menopause?

Menopause is a normal biological transition that signals the end of a woman’s reproductive years when she can no longer become pregnant.

Menopause usually begins at the age of 45-55 but can occur earlier or later. This period is known as menopause, which is confirmed when a menstruating female has not had a period for 12 consecutive months.

Menopause is a gradual process that happens over several years, starting with perimenopause (the lead-up to menopause), then menopause, and then post-menopause (the years after menopause).

Imagine having a guide to navigate menopause - well, we have everything you need. Tap here to learn more.

Symptoms of Menopause: What Would Menopause Feel Like for You?

During the menopausal period, you will experience significant changes in the hormonal level, particularly oestrogen and progesterone. These hormonal fluctuations affect different body systems, contributing to the symptoms you experience during this time. These symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats, mood swings and irritability, vaginal dryness and discomfort, and sleep disturbances.

Nevertheless, pain can be a significant issue that requires attention.

Menopause and Types of Pain Associated With It

Menopausal pain is caused by various causes, such as hormonal imbalance, inflammation, an existing health condition or an existing health condition triggered by hormonal shifts. Let’s look into the common symptoms a woman will be experiencing during this phase.

1. Joint and Muscle Pain

The most common issue among menopausal women is joint and muscle pain. Oestrogen is the hormone that plays a vital role in maintaining joint and muscle health. It produces collagen (connective tissue) that helps keep the joint lubricated and flexible.

Due to decreased oestrogen levels during menopause, the production of collagen also reduces. This leads to inflammation, stiffness and pain in joints. As a result, you might experience discomfort or pain in your knees, neck, hips and lower back. Mostly, these joints are affected because they are the weight-bearing joints in the body.

The pain can make your daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs and lifting objects, difficult. Sometimes, severe pain can affect the quality of life by causing reduced mobility and joint deformity.

Some women experience severe muscle pain (fibromyalgia) all over the body, which increases joint pain.

2. Headache and Migraines

Oestrogen and progesterone fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause impact brain functioning. This can trigger headaches or even worsen pre-existing migraines. A sudden drop in oestrogen, especially during the days of your menstruation or menopause, is the main triggering factor for migraines.

Women who have a history of migraines may experience them more frequently and with greater intensity during menopause. Those who have never had headaches before may begin to experience them. The severity of these headaches ranges from mild tension headaches to devitalizing migraines that affect your daily life.

Click here to dive deeper into menopause and migraine insights.

3. Pelvic and abdominal pain

Conditions such as adenomyosis, fibroids or endometriosis are some common causes which lead to pelvic pain. During menopause, the hormonal fluctuations can worsen the symptoms of these pre-existing conditions.

Similarly, lower back pain can emerge or worsen due to faulty postures, hormonal imbalances and weakened pelvic floor muscles.

During menopause, the vagina loses its elasticity and moisture, causing dryness. This occurs due to the decrease in oestrogen levels. The walls of the vagina become thin and fragile, making it more susceptible to injury or inflammation. This leads to painful sex or tearing of the vaginal wall leading to pelvic pain during menopause.

4. Breast Pain (Mastalgia)

Most of the women experience breast tenderness and swelling during perimenopause, menopause, ovulation or just before periods. This occurs because of hormonal shifts.

During menopause, breast pain can be discomforting as it can last all day and interfere with daily activities or sometimes sleep.

5. Low Back Pain

Oestrogen is the key factor that regulates bone mass and density. During menopause, due to the decline in oestrogen levels, the bone mass and mineral density decreases. This leads to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis makes the bones weak and brittle. That means it can lead to fracture easily. The loss of bone density and mass of hips, spine and pelvis can significantly cause or increase lower back pain.

The weakened muscles and ligaments also make your lower back more susceptible to strain and injury.

6. Other Pains

The hormonal fluctuations during menopause also affect the nerves and muscles of the body. 

Some women might experience sharp, shooting pain or tingling sensation in their limbs (neuropathy), while others experience whole-body stiffness or pain due to the involvement of muscles and soft tissues (fibromyalgia).

Why Does Menopause Cause Pain?

Menopausal pain is caused due to various factors, most of which are linked to hormonal imbalance and other physiological changes that occur during menopause.

Let’s take a closer look at some primary reasons why menopause causes pain.

1. Oestrogen and Pain Sensitivity

Oestrogen helps regulate the body’s response. It interacts with the neurotransmitters in the brain and boosts the production of endorphins (natural painkillers) in the body. This process is disturbed when oestrogen levels are reduced during menopause.

This is the reason why most women experience pain sensitivity during menopause, such as migraines, muscle soreness and body aches.

2. Oestrogen and Inflammatory Activity

Oestrogen has anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, a decrease in oestrogen increases inflammatory reactions in that body. This leads to joint pain and muscle stiffness.

3. Bone Density and Osteoporosis

Oestrogen helps maintain bone density. Reduced oestrogen makes bone more fragile and prone to fractures. This condition is called osteoporosis (thinning of bones). 

As a result, women experience pain in the lower back or hip region.

4. Weight Gain and Joint Strain

Weight gain is a common issue faced by women in menopause. This is caused due to a combined effect of hormonal changes, ageing, lifestyle and genetics. 

Your knee joint tolerates 4 times the strain for every pound of weight you gain. It’s not just your knees - those extra pounds can strain other weight-bearing joints like your hips and lower back.

Unveiling the Solution to Manage Menopause Pain

Pain is never easy to deal with. Menopausal pain can be tough to handle, but with the right strategies, it can be managed and alleviated.

Lifestyle Changes

1. Exercise

Exercise keeps you healthy. It keeps you active. Regular exercise provides relief from many types of pain. You don’t have to hit the gym and lift heavy weights to stay healthy. Perform low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, jogging, running or yoga to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and improve joint health.

Dr. Kenneth H Cooper, an American doctor of medicine and former Air Force lieutenant colonel from Oklahoma, pioneered the benefits of aerobic exercise for maintaining and improving health.

2. Healthy Diet

A healthy and balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory properties helps reduce inflammation and improve overall health. 

Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, oysters, anchovies, walnuts and soybeans. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables with anti-inflammatory properties must be consumed.

Tap here to discover a nutrition guide for menopause.

3. Hydration

Staying hydrated not only improves overall health but also maintains joint lubrication. Proper hydration maintains the health of tissues and muscles, including those supporting the joints.

Natural remedies

1. Hot or Cold Compress

Applying a hot or cold compress helps reduce muscle stiffness and joint pain effectively. A hot compress helps relax stiff muscles, whereas a cold compress reduces inflammation.

2. Massage Therapy

Regular massage with sesame oil or other medicated oils helps reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow and provide relief from pain.

3. Supplements 

Supplements like calcium and vitamin D help maintain bone health. Omega-3 supplements help reduce inflammation and support joint health.

Medical treatments

1. Over-the-counter (OTC) Pain Relievers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help manage mild to moderate inflammation and pain.

2. Prescription Medication

If you are experiencing severe pain, your doctor might prescribe a stronger analgesic or an anti-inflammatory medication to treat the pain. 

3. Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT helps manage menopausal symptoms, especially those caused by oestrogen deficiency. Menopausal pain can be treated with oestrogen-only therapies such as pills, injections or patches. However, discuss the pros and cons of the treatment with your healthcare professional before beginning it.

4. Physical Therapy

Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around the joint, improves joint mobility and reduces pain. It aims to improve joint health. A physical therapist will guide you with it. 

5. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours to thought patterns.

It helps manage chronic pain by teaching coping strategies and altering pain perception.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Knowing when to seek medical advice is very crucial. Better late than never! Visit a doctor if you experience the following:

When? Persistent Pain

If pain does not reduce even after OTC medications or if it is continuous, severe, worsening and interfering with your daily routine.

When? Associated Symptoms

If pain is associated with other concerning symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue or fever, there might be other underlying conditions that require immediate medical attention.

When? Pre-existing Health Conditions

If you are suffering from osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis or other chronic pain conditions, you will require additional attention during menopause. Be mindful of the changes in the symptoms.

What Our Client Says?

Here’s what our client, Rose Foster, has to say about her menopause care experience at Nirva Health,

Wrapping Up

Consider menopause as your red carpet moment and its symptoms like cameras shining on you. You are the star, and it’s it’s take charge. Don’tDon’t Don’tenopause or its pain steal your spotlight - our experts at Nirva Health help you shine like a diva through your menopausal journey.