July 29, 2026
Aching joints, sore muscles, increased risk of fractures and ligament injury are among the symptoms many women report around the time of menopause 1,2. You may wonder whether menopause is the cause, and what can help. This article looks at why these aches happen, the part oestrogen may play, whether hormone treatment helps, what you can do yourself, and when joint pain should be checked.
Why do some women experience joint pain during menopause?
Joint pains and muscle aches are a recognised part of menopause for many women 2. About 7 in 10 women have musculoskeletal symptoms, such as joint or muscle pain, during the menopause transition 2. More than half of perimenopausal women report joint pain, also called arthralgia, at this time 2.
Women are about twice as likely to experience joint pain and stiffness during or after menopause compared to before 3. The pain often increases through the transition and tends to be greatest in early postmenopause 2.
Joint pain is often part of a wider set of menopausal changes, such as tiredness, low mood, poor sleep, stress and anxiety 3. This pain does not always mean the joints are damaged: about 4 in 10 women with these symptoms have no changes on scans 2, and joint pain is not the same as arthritis, which is a problem inside the joint 3. One form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (gradual joint wear) in the hands does become more common around this age 3.
Joint pain at this age can have more than one cause 3. As well as menopause-associated arthralgia, it may come from osteoarthritis, from inflammatory joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, or from other treatable problems such as a thyroid condition or low vitamin D 3. Widespread muscle and joint pain may be due to fibromyalgia, a condition that causes diffuse pain in many areas of the body with symptoms such as tiredness and poor sleep common 3. This is why identifying the cause can help, especially if the pain does not settle 3.
What is the link between falling oestrogen and musculoskeletal discomfort?
Oestrogen does more than control periods, and this may help explain the aches 4. Oestrogen acts on many body tissues, including bone, muscle, tendon, cartilage and ligaments 2. It also helps to control inflammation, so when oestrogen falls, inflammation and joint pain may increase 2. A fall in estradiol levels leads to a decrease in bone mineral density 2.
Oestrogen also affects how the body senses pain – it reduces pain 3. Most parts of the body can respond to oestrogen, so when oestrogen levels drop after menopause, the effects can be felt widely, including in the muscles and joints 4. Together, these changes can affect the joints, muscles and bones, which is why aches, stiffness and weaker muscles can happen around the same time 2.
These changes are sometimes grouped together under one term, the “musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause” 2. However, this link is not fully proven: a clear cause-and-effect connection between low oestrogen and joint pain has not been shown, partly because joint pain is also very common as people get older 3.
Can HRT help with joint pain related to menopause?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help, but the evidence for joint pain on its own is limited 3. HRT, also called menopausal hormone therapy, replaces some of the oestrogen the body no longer makes 4.
Women who took HRT for other menopausal symptoms had slightly less joint pain and stiffness than women who did not take it 3. Some symptoms that may not be directly caused by low oestrogen can still improve with HRT 4. At present, there is not enough evidence to recommend HRT for joint pain on its own 3.
HRT may be an option when joint pain is severe and persistent, not improved with other treatment measures, where quality of life is affected and particularly if it occurs with other menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes 3. HRT is used to treat menopausal symptoms in general 1. Whether to take HRT is a personal decision, made together with a healthcare professional who can weigh the possible benefits and risks for you 1.
What self-management strategies help with menopause-related joint or muscle pain?
Several everyday steps may help, although the evidence for joint pain in particular is limited 3. General advice for musculoskeletal pain is weight control and regular exercise. Moderate levels of physical activity can help joint and muscle symptoms 3.
Exercises that build strength, such as using heavier weights in lower repetition sets or resistance bands, can help increase muscular power and support your joints 2. It is important to exercise to strengthen your muscles 5, as muscle tends to be lost after menopause 2. Building exercise up slowly helps avoid putting too much strain on sore joints 3.
Keeping to a healthy weight can also help, because a higher body weight is linked with these aches 3. Getting enough protein and vitamin D supports your muscles and bones 2. Making sure you get enough sleep and managing stress may help too, because tiredness and low mood can make pain feel worse 3. Some people use supplements, but there is little evidence that they help joint pain specifically 3.
When should joint pain during menopause be investigated further?
Joint aches around menopause are generally not a sign of a serious problem and may settle over time, but you should see a healthcare professional if the pain is persistent, widespread or worsens 3. Seek advice from a healthcare professional promptly if you have unexplained weight loss, a fever, or pain that wakes you at night, because these need to be checked for other causes 3.
Also see a healthcare professional if a joint is swollen, red or warm, or if you have morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes, because these can be signs of inflammatory arthritis (where the joint itself becomes inflamed) 3. A healthcare professional may also check for other treatable causes of joint pain, such as a thyroid problem or low vitamin D 3. Pain that does not settle, or that keeps getting worse, should be reviewed, because not all joint pain at this age is caused by menopause 3. If the cause is unclear, other conditions should be considered and may need tests 4.
Conclusion
Joint and muscle aches are a recognised part of menopause for many women, and falling oestrogen may play a part, even if it is not the only cause 2. Staying active, keeping your muscles strong, and looking after your weight, sleep and stress are everyday steps you can take yourself 3. HRT may help some women, particularly when joint pain occurs alongside other menopausal symptoms 3, and whether to use it is a decision to make together with a healthcare professional 1. If you notice warning signs, or your pain does not settle, see a healthcare professional so that other causes can be checked 3.
FAQ
1: Is joint pain a normal part of menopause?
Yes, joint and muscle aches are among the symptoms reported around menopause 1,2. About 7 in 10 women have musculoskeletal symptoms during the menopause transition, and more than half report joint pain 2. Pain is often part of a wider set of menopausal symptoms 3.
2: Does joint pain at menopause mean I have arthritis?
Not usually. Joint pain, or arthralgia, is not the same as arthritis, which is a problem inside the joint 3. Many women with these aches have no changes on scans 2. However, joint pain that does not settle should be reviewed, because there may be another cause which requires treatment 3.
3: Will HRT cure my joint pain?
HRT is not a cure for joint pain. In studies, joint pain and stiffness improved a little in women who were taking HRT for other menopausal symptoms 3. At the moment there is not enough evidence to recommend HRT for joint pain on its own 3. It may be an option when joint pain comes with other menopausal symptoms 3, and whether to use it is a decision to make with a healthcare professional 1.
4: What can I do at home to ease menopausal joint pain?
Several steps may help. Regular exercise, including activity that builds muscle strength, and keeping to a healthy weight are the first measures to try 3. Good sleep and managing stress may also help, because tiredness and low mood can make pain feel worse 3. Ensure you have enough protein and vitamin D to support your muscles and bones 2.
5: When should I see a doctor about joint pain in menopause? See a healthcare professional if you have warning signs alongside the pain. These include unexplained weight loss, a fever, pain at night, or a joint that is swollen, red or warm 3. Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes can also be a sign of inflammatory arthritis and should be checked 3. Pain that does not settle, or keeps getting worse, should also be reviewed 3
This article was written with the assistance of generative AI technology and reviewed for accuracy.
References
