Joint pain +5 months PP

[6monthspost]

Hi,

Looking to get some opinions on whether this is normal or concerning before booking a doctors appointment.

I had my first child 5.5 months ago. Have generally recovered very well and am back to being very active. Breastfeeding journey went well for us and I'm still almost exclusively breastfeeding (odd bottle of formula when I'm not with DC).

Something I've noticed more and more over the past few months is joint aches. It happens when I've been sat down for a while, but particularly bad in the evening/first thing in the morning.

It's generally my knees, but started to be my feet now too. They're so stiff and painful to walk ok. This eases up relatively quickly once I start moving.

If it's just normal PP hormone shifts that's fine, but I'm worried it could be pregnancy triggering peri menopause. I am 35yo, so would be early but not unheard of. I'm not aware of an early menopause family history.

In case it's relevant, I was a healthy weight before pregnancy, put on a little more than advised while pregnant but not a lot more, and weighed 10kg more immediately PP. I currently weigh 5kg more than pre pregnancy, but am losing around 0.3-0.5kg per week. I am technically overweight right now, but very close to being in the healthy weight range, so I don't think it's a weight issue.

Hi @6monthspost

i have no real insight to share except that almost word for word I could have written this myself!

I am 34, 6 months pp. I had a healthy bmi when I fell pregnant, am slightly overweight now (bmi is now 25.5), was very active exercise wise pre and all throughout pregnancy and have tried to exercise pp but probably manage about 2 days a week on average. I also ebf baby. Mine is more in my hips and lower back, but my feet do get quite painful when I’ve been sat for a while and get up. Worst is first thing in the morning I almost have to tip toe as my heels are painful. I’ve read that the feet could be plantar fasciitis and this can be quite common post partum? Someone also told me that when breastfeeding relaxin is still quite high in the body and so joints are more fluid/ can be more painful. I’d love to know though the real reason!

Menopause hadn’t occurred to me, I had put it down to hormonal shifts and being less active than I was before, but would be interested in hearing other views!