Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Are sore joints a symptom of menopause?

32 replies

Neolara · 04/04/2024 19:48

So, I have achey joints. Bending my arms hurt. Standing up from sitting hurts. It's rubbish. Up until a year ago when I herniated a disc, I was pretty fit and active. But it was sore then and is still sore now.

Could this be a symptom of menopause? I mentioned it in passing to a nurse a couple of years ago who said it was unlikely. In any case, anyone got any ideas about what to do about it? I'm 54 and not taking hrt. Apart from being ridiculously tired and sore joints (and back leg issues due to the herniated disc) I'm generally pretty healthy.

OP posts:
Londondreamer · 04/04/2024 20:17

I think it is. I've been on HRT for just over year and in the past 6 months, I've had pain in every joint at some point it feels like! Hips, knees, legs, hands and back,

I tried upping my dose and it made it worse, so I think it's just another symptom I'm going to have to put up with, HRT doesn't touch it. I've started taking Vit D and Magnesium to see if it helps.

It's just miserable, I'm the same age as you but feel 100 some days.

Babyroobs · 04/04/2024 20:27

My joints are terrible and I had put it down to menopause but GP did bloods recently and came back as low vitamin D, so I've been taking high dose Vit D for two months. Doesn't seem to be making much difference so far.

Crochetablanket · 04/04/2024 20:30

It definitely was for me - my knees especially. I’m on hrt and my joints have stopped aching .

CarpetSausage · 04/04/2024 20:33

Yes, it was my main symptom, especially fingers and toes. All stopped within a few days of starting HRT.

Legacy · 04/04/2024 20:34

Yes, it can be. I had excruciatingly achey legs which kept me awake at night and I ended up resorting to HRT after trying everything else and sobbing at the GP through frustration/ lack of sleep. Within a week it was all gone!

Vitamin D and Magnesium are apparently good, as is keeping well hydrated and moving. I'm convinced this is why so many older women do yoga!

Ermengarde · 04/04/2024 20:36

It definitely is a symptom for me. My knees really ached to get up from the sofa, I felt about 80! But it didn’t occur to me to link it to menopause. Then I started HRT (for other symptoms) and with 48 hours the aching was completely gone.

Recently I didn’t take HRT for 2 days and knees started aching again on second day very noticeably.

LuciferRising · 04/04/2024 20:37

I'm seeing a nurse in a few weeks for this. My mother has osteoarthritis and low vitamin d, so concerned I have that, but also think the peri. Sometimes I am so stiff after getting up from bed or a chair. Also always tired.

isthewashingdryyet · 04/04/2024 20:39

Vitamin D deficiency can also cause aches, so get your blood tested and then take the supplement as recommended

OwlCityisthemostunderrated · 04/04/2024 20:41

It was my main symptom. I couldn’t walk up the stairs without having to drag myself up using the handrail, and I hurt all the time, so much so that I would wake up crying. I actually thought I was dying.

All gone within a week of starting HRT (but now I dread what happens when I have to stop it!)

GreenSmithing · 04/04/2024 20:42

Pilates and general mobilisation exercises - if you don't do them already? They improve circulation and the production of synovial fluid which can aid in tissue repair and help with joint pain.

The NHS website has videos

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/pilates-and-yoga/

nhs.uk

Pilates and yoga exercise videos

Pilates and yoga exercises, including exercises for beginners and exercises for people with problems such as back pain and arthritis.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/pilates-and-yoga

RuthW · 04/04/2024 20:44

Definitely- I'm 55 and that's my only negative symptom

greeneggsandhamhocks · 04/04/2024 20:44

It's so common in menopause! I'm cross on your behalf that you were dismissed.
Along with trouble sleeping it was one of my earliest symptoms.
HRT hasn't been a cure for everything but the sore joints, flushes and poor sleep improved immediately.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 04/04/2024 20:46

I've just hit the menopause and my upper body is so painful. Especially my shoulders. I've been doing pilates twice a week for years and the last 6 months I feel I've been going backwards with any upper body exercises.

I take Vitamin D supplements but I'm not sure they make any difference

EveryOtherNameTaken · 04/04/2024 20:46

For me, yes!

AlisonDonut · 04/04/2024 20:46

Yes..mine got incrementally worse and worse until I finally got listened to with a years worth of Fitbit data...and I had osteoporosis by then.

Winbourneflight · 04/04/2024 20:48

Turmeric in tablet form has eliminated my hip pain (comes back when I forget to take it) I’m already on HRT which got rid of the pain in my finger. I’m usually pretty sceptical about supplements but it does seem to work.

Londondreamer · 04/04/2024 20:53

Winbourneflight · 04/04/2024 20:48

Turmeric in tablet form has eliminated my hip pain (comes back when I forget to take it) I’m already on HRT which got rid of the pain in my finger. I’m usually pretty sceptical about supplements but it does seem to work.

Thanks,I may try that, my hip is my worst point.

Which one are you using?

Strongbeatsskinny · 04/04/2024 22:01

OwlCityisthemostunderrated · 04/04/2024 20:41

It was my main symptom. I couldn’t walk up the stairs without having to drag myself up using the handrail, and I hurt all the time, so much so that I would wake up crying. I actually thought I was dying.

All gone within a week of starting HRT (but now I dread what happens when I have to stop it!)

I also had to drag myself upstairs it hurt so much within a week of taking HRT it disappeared completely it didn’t effect me at night.

Pinkfluffypencilcase · 04/04/2024 22:05

Same here too. Stopped when I started hrt gel.
Though my fingers ache again and wondering if that means I should up the dose.

kitsuneghost · 04/04/2024 23:21

I had sore joints in peri
It was actually a blood test for possible arthritis that diagnosed menopause in my case.
Was primarily my fingers.

Winbourneflight · 04/04/2024 23:26

Londondreamer · 04/04/2024 20:53

Thanks,I may try that, my hip is my worst point.

Which one are you using?

Show quote history

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/vitabiotics-ultra-turmeric-with-black-pepper-vitamin-d-tablets-60051914
This is the one I’m using.

DramaAlpaca · 04/04/2024 23:28

CarpetSausage · 04/04/2024 20:33

Yes, it was my main symptom, especially fingers and toes. All stopped within a few days of starting HRT.

Exactly the same here. It literally stopped within a few days of starting HRT. It was like a miracle.

Lovemybunnies · 04/04/2024 23:31

Definitely. I top up patches with gel and when I ran out a few weeks ago my aching knees returned within days.

Scattynatty1 · 06/04/2024 02:42

I think I just broke a rib bending over sofa and my underwire bra dug into my ribs, I’m menopausal , do you think I’ve got brittle bones

Scattynatty1 · 06/04/2024 02:51

Scattynatty1 · 06/04/2024 02:42

I think I just broke a rib bending over sofa and my underwire bra dug into my ribs, I’m menopausal , do you think I’ve got brittle bones

Do you think I need HRT?

Swipe left for the next trending thread