Do 50yr old women ache more than 50yr old men?

[Wearygirl]

I'm on a sight seeing 4 day trip with hubby. Been non stop long days, on feet, walking, standing.

We are both overweight but not disabling overweight

I swim, cycle and gym 5-6x a week and have done for years and years (alas I also eat a lot! Lol)
Hubby plays golf once a week and does no other exercise.

At end of this trip I am absolutely exhausted! Legs screaming walking uphill and steps. My lower back aches. My knees ache. I'm absolutely wiped out.

Husband is 'a bit tired' and has 'slightly achey feet but ok really '

!!!

Is it just me?
Is it another bloody menopause thing?
Is it another man/woman thing?

Dh is in his 60s and runs ultramarathons. I’m in my late 40s and try to keep active, lifting weights for 2-3hrs a week, spin classes twice a week, 3 mile dog walk every day and I’m in agony. Back pain, hip pain. It’s debilitating. I’ve just been googling hip stability belts this morning. I feel about 90. I’ve seen physios, osteopath, etc and they say I’m hypermobile and there’s nothing which can be done. But I wasn’t in pain like this when younger.

I don't know- I do karate and three of my fellow students are about my age (two women, two men, mid to late 50s). We all agree that we all seem to have at least one aching/sore body part at all times, although the actual part may change from week to week or month to month (or even day to day, for that matter).

Having said that, quite a few aches can be attributed to our sport (knees, previously broken fingers/toes etc.) But overall I think it's pretty much equally spread between us all.

After a lifetime of doing all kinds of sports and a manual job, once I hit my mid 50s I had to get a series of yoga/stretching exercises which I do every day.

Always got away with not stretching before, but if I don't do my routine every day now I ache like crazy and am stiff as a board in the mornings.

My DH is the same, but it didn't creep up on him until later.

Do you do any stretching? I've found a combination of weight training and yoga really helpful with back and hip issues.

Dh has always been far more active than me. He doesn't have the same day to day aches as I do but is finding he's far more prone to injury as he gets older which is restricting his activities these days.

X-post!

Menopause
It's an utter fucking bastard, with far more wide ranging effects than the regularly quoted symptoms.

So yes.

I don't know what the answer to your question is but part of the solution might be to add some more essential fatty acids into your diet for joint lubrication. Or take them as supplements.

9000 steps is still pretty good though?

Menopause sucks all the moisture out of your joints. Before HRT I struggled to get up after sitting down. Within days of taking HRT all my joints were supple again.

God I might try hrt again

Not all men moan some are stoic believe it or not.

Yes it could be your body or it could be your husband is just not admitting to feeling old.

Or a number of other things

I'm 56 and used to wake aching every day. Whats stopped it is HRT, the gym and lifting weights. Hate every minute of it but it really does make me feel younger.

The loss of estrogen after menopause can result in increased inflammation, extra adipose tissue can also result in increased inflammation.
The inflammation will contribute towards general aches and pains.

I think it's your weight combined with the menopause, the women I know who struggle with this sort of thing tend to be overweight and seem to struggle more after 50.

Please recommend which you take as some are quite low quality but it's a minefield trying to choose

I've experienced the same as you on touring holidays, I'm 52 and my dh is 8 years older, but I definitely tire quicker than he does!

I'm used to walking, and have a physical part-time job. But by our 4th day in Wales last summer, after early starts, late evenings and lots of time on our feet I just had to take a day for myself, to chill around the hotel/a few leisurely coffees etc. I was fine next day, got my energy back but dh didn't need a break at all.

I think their bodies are made differently to ours!!

It seems like men seem to complain more when they do have pain and women have to get on .

However, you've used a specific example for your post , so I wonder if there are factors that have given you an unfair advantage. Do you carry a bag on one shoulder? And like previously said, the comfort and supportiveness of your shoes. Even uncomfortable shoes in your psst could cause damage to your feet .

Menopause won't help either

I think their bodies are made differently to ours!!

They are, particularly around the pelvis and hips, which are pretty important to standing and walking. Plus, if you've been through pregnancy and birth, that may have contributed to wrecking things.

Their bodies are made differently, their bones and joints don't need oestrogen!

It's a menopause thing.

Larger Q angle of hips, good for babies, less so for walking.

Menopause & loss of muscle mass.

I used to ache a lot in my 30s, much better since adding more muscle mass. Now in my 50s.