Happy Menopause Day
If you didn’t know, Tuesday 18th October 2022 celebrates Menopause Day.
This is a topic we hear and discuss more and more which I feel truly helps us and the people experiencing the menopause. You’re not alone in this!
Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of the menstruation cycle. This normally happens between the ages for 45 and 55, however it is known to happen prior or later. Most women can expect some 30 years of post-menopausal life. For some this is even longer as early menopause occurs in approx. 5% of women before the age of 40.
Significant hormonal changes occur in the body at this point and can cause profound changes in a women’s health and lead to some miserable side effects including.
- physical aches and pains
- reduction in bone density
- strength and balance
- weight gain
- hot flashes
- insomnia and depressed mood
- pelvic floor muscle weakness
- urinary and faecal incontinence
- pelvic organ prolapse
- painful intercourse
So why are we as physiotherapists talking about the Menopause?
Whilst we all get aches and pains from time to time, they become significantly more frequent as a female goes through the menopause. This occurs because oestrogen directly affects the structure and function of bone, muscle, tendon and ligaments. Therefore, the hormonal changes of menopause, where there is a reduction in oestrogen, has a significant impact on musculoskeletal function. An understanding of these changes by all women is paramount, as much can be done prior to, during and after menopause, to minimise the effects these changes have on our body and the subsequent impact they have on one’s quality of life. What is more fantastic is that the Menopause is no longer a taboo subject and therefore people are talking more and more about their symptoms with a clinician which can help us treat, advise or signpost you to who can!
Happy Menopause Day
If you didn’t know, Tuesday 18th October 2022 celebrates Menopause Day.
This is a topic we hear and discuss more and more which I feel truly helps us and the people experiencing the menopause. You’re not alone in this!
Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of the menstruation cycle. This normally happens between the ages for 45 and 55, however it is known to happen prior or later. Most women can expect some 30 years of post-menopausal life. For some this is even longer as early menopause occurs in approx. 5% of women before the age of 40.
Significant hormonal changes occur in the body at this point and can cause profound changes in a women’s health and lead to some miserable side effects including.
- physical aches and pains
- reduction in bone density
- strength and balance
- weight gain
- hot flashes
- insomnia and depressed mood
- pelvic floor muscle weakness
- urinary and faecal incontinence
- pelvic organ prolapse
- painful intercourse
So why are we as physiotherapists talking about the Menopause?
Whilst we all get aches and pains from time to time, they become significantly more frequent as a female goes through the menopause. This occurs because oestrogen directly affects the structure and function of bone, muscle, tendon and ligaments. Therefore, the hormonal changes of menopause, where there is a reduction in oestrogen, has a significant impact on musculoskeletal function. An understanding of these changes by all women is paramount, as much can be done prior to, during and after menopause, to minimise the effects these changes have on our body and the subsequent impact they have on one’s quality of life. What is more fantastic is that the Menopause is no longer a taboo subject and therefore people are talking more and more about their symptoms with a clinician which can help us treat, advise or signpost you to who can!
The Muscles
With the decline in oestrogen at menopause, women experience a rapid decrease in muscle mass and strength and are more prone to muscle injury. This affects all skeletal muscles within the body and might explain why a woman may start to develop more muscular injuries or aches and pains, whilst participating in their regular activities as they approach menopause.
Ligaments and Tendons
Oestrogen reduces the collagen content of connective tissues, increasing the stiffness in the ligaments and tendons. In the case of ligaments, a stiffer ligament isn’t always a bad thing. However, a stiffer tendon is not necessarily beneficial. A stiff tendon will not stretch, therefore the muscle attached to that tendon will experience more eccentric loading, often resulting in muscle injury and tendinopathies. In women, these commonly affect the gluteal, hamstring, achilles and rotator cuff tendons resulting in aching in hips, bottom, heels and shoulders.
What Can I Do To Help Myself?
1. Book an appointment with your GP if you feel you may be peri-menopausal or menopausal and discuss management options.
2. If you are already taking HRT or know you’re menopausal and haven’t had your oestrogen levels checked recently and have started to get aches and pains, then contact your GP and book into your local physiotherapist clinic.
3. Regularly exercise! Physiotherapists are experts in movement and can formulate an individualised management program to optimise your long-term musculoskeletal health and quality of life. In fact, even prior to menopause, it is helpful to build up our bone and muscle stores so that the additional decline associated with menopause is less impactful.
4. Have a healthy diet and make sure you take your supplements.
If you wish to book a physiotherapy appointment or are unsure if physiotherapy can help you, why not contact our team on: 01276 37670 or email us at: admin@thorpesphysiotherapy.com
We also offer FREE 15-minute discovery calls where you can discuss your problems with one of our physiotherapists and ascertain whether you would benefit from physiotherapy.
You can book a free Discovery visit or alternatively give us a call.
As Always, Thanks for reading and We hope to hear from you soon!
Jessica Reed (BSc, SRP, MCSP, AACP)
Specialist Physiotherapist