Most menopausal women will suffer painful joints at some point of the transition. It can be quite alarming since it may make you change how you feel about yourself and what you can physically do. When it is combined with other symptoms of menopause, it may alter the way that you see yourself. For the first time, you may truly feel old. On the bright side, there are many treatment options available that can help to lessen the severity of joint pain.
Why Do I Get Achy Joints Throughout Menopause?
To begin, it is important to note that most women start menopause at about 50 years old. Because of this, all people, even men at this age, are at a higher risk to develop osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is when joints get inflamed and become painful. However, most menopausal women experience joint pain because of the tremendous drop in her estrogen levels. When estrogen levels are low, they reduce a woman’s ability to bear pain.How to Deal With Menopausal Joint Pain
Fact: Throughout menopause, certain women will get pain in her joints and muscles along with headaches, mouth sensations, and even heart palpitations. Strangely, women who got tension headaches or stomach and face pain did not get as many episodes after menopause hit. Scientists believe that there is a strong connection between unbalanced hormones, like estrogen and this idea.There are many different ways to get through painful joints experienced throughout menopause. One of the most well known paths of treatment is hormone replacement therapy. This is when a synthetic form of estrogen is placed into the body to supplement the waning levels of natural estrogen left in a menopausal woman.
Unfortunately, even though this is an effective way to treat symptoms brought on by menopause, it is not a direct cure for painful joints. Certain research has proven that this course of action may heighten the risks for negative health conditions like osteoarthritis, headaches, water retention, weight gain, embarrassing vaginal discharge and even cancer.
Other Options Of Treatment For Joint Pain Throughout Menopause Includes:
• Losing Weight. When a person sheds extra pounds, it places less stress on the joints. It can be obtained through diet and exercise.• Lifting Weights. Joints may be strengthened by weight lifting. This will help sore joints and muscles overcome the difficulties due to the low estrogen levels of menopause.
• Nerve Stimulation. This is an option used in pain management. It may help a person lower their feelings of pain.
• Massage. This is a great way to relax the mind and the body to treat menopausal joint pain along with other symptoms of menopause.
• Acupuncture. This ancient technique was practiced by the Chinese and may be able to soothe aching muscles located in particular areas of the body.
• Physical Therapy. This is a medical practice which may help rehabilitate sore muscles and joints from menopause or injury. Low impact exercise works best.
• Supportive Devices. Things like knee sleeves may help to support sore joints throughout exercise or weight training.
• Pain Killers. These medications may be over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. They should be a last resort if pain becomes too great.
Besides the above tips, there are other alternative remedies that may help to rebalance the decrease in estrogen that is causing the menopausal joint pain. They work well and are highly recommended. They work the best when joined with a proper diet and regular exercise.
