Eileen's TOP TIP: Devil’s Claw is best taken after food. If your joint pain is troublesome, start off with a higher dose of Devil’s Claw. Take two tablets twice daily of Atrosan for 3 to 5 days, then 1 tablet twice daily.Our customers love us!
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Joint pain can be a symptom of the menopause
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Joint pain is one of the more common menopause symptoms and it can be one of the more debilitating as it reduces mobility and flexibility. Here, our menopause expert Eileen Durward talks about what triggers joint pain in the menopause, and how it can be eased through lifestyle changes and natural remedies.
Joint pain affects many people as they get older and is also common among menopausal women. Aches, stiffness and swelling around the joint and sometimes heat are typical symptoms of menopausal joint pain. These may be worse in the morning, improving as the day continues.
Joints which experience high impact such as the hips and knees tend to be most affected by this so called ’menopausal arthritis.’ Hands and fingers can also be affected. High impact exercise such as jogging can exacerbate the problem, although this is often eased with rest.
The hormone oestrogen has an important role in maintaining joint and bone health. It is not certain how it does this, but it is thought that it works by minimising swelling around the joint. As you reach the menopause, levels of oestrogen in your body begin to drop. This gives rise to common menopause symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats, and may also result in swollen and painful joints.
Dehydration can also cause joint pain because of a build up of uric acid which can cause inflammation in your joints. Oestrogen is also important for regulating fluid levels in your body, and with falling levels of the hormone, you find that your body is unable to retain water efficiently.
It is important to reduce the pressure of repetitive strain, such as jogging on hard roads, to protect your joints. At the same time though, keeping them flexible will reduce joint pain. Some exercises such as yoga and swimming are beneficial for strengthening your muscles and joints without exerting too much pressure on them.
Diet can have a positive influence on your joint health. Many fruit and vegetables have properties which reduce inflammation. Having a balanced diet is not only healthy and will help you with many menopause symptoms, but will keep your weight level correct. Being overweight will add extra stress onto your joints, increasing your problem.
Calcium is particularly important as it keeps your bones strong and healthy. As you are going through the menopause you may find a calcium supplement beneficial. However, for calcium to be absorbed into your bloodstream effectively, it is important to also have a high intake of magnesium, achieved by including nuts, wholegrains and dried fruit into your diet.
Alternatively, taking a calcium and magnesium supplement would provide some of the same benefits. Some women find that taking magnesium on its own is very effective, as it helps to relax tense muscles.
Stress, surprisingly, can have a negative effect on your joint health. If you are experiencing a lot of stress, your body will release high quantities of the hormone cortisol. This hormone works as an inflammatory agent, and so high levels of stress during the menopause will only make your joint pain worse. It is important if you tend to experience stress to take time to relax every day.
Alternative treatments such as massage or acupuncture help many women with their joint pain symptoms. They directly target the area of pain in order to ease the symptom.
Some women might experience ‘rheumatic’ type pains coming from the inside of a joint. This is where Devil’s Claw can help – it has a similar effect to that of steroids, although without the steroidal compounds, so without the associated side effects. The herb is gentle to the body and may take up to 4 weeks to work its way into the body.
Atrosan® – Devil’s Claw tablets for muscle and joint pains
Relieves muscle & joint pain, backache and lumbago. Also available in 60 tablet size. More info
Conventional medicines for joint pain include painkillers and anti-inflammatories. However, they are not usually recommended for joint pain associated with the menopause as the pain is a symptom rather than the cause itself. To treat menopausal joint pain, your doctor may consider the use of HRT.
If your pain is severe, and home and herbal remedies are ineffective, then there may be another underlying cause. In this case, or if you are worried about your condition, it is important to talk to your doctor as he will be able to prescribe a treatment to help you.
Who doesn’t love a success story and I was so pleased with this one I had to share it...
I just love it when easy, simple things you can do to help yourself can make such a big difference, which is exactly what happened when Margaret (56) asked my advice on joint pain during menopause.
Find out what it was from my advice that Margaret found most helpful...Try it and see how it works for you.
Atrosan® – Devil’s Claw tablets for muscle and joint pains
Relieves muscle & joint pain, backache and lumbago. Also available in 60 tablet size.
More info
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113 Comments
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Geraldine — 11.02.2021 09:23
Hi ...I’m 54 and have a lot of soreness in my joints ...I have dryness in eyes and down there aswell .. should I go on hrt
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eileen — 11.02.2021 09:02
Hi Geraldine
I am really sorry but we can't make any recommendations about going on HRT; only your doctor can do this as they may need to take your age, symptoms and any other health issues into account.
Symptoms such as these can often be helped naturally with remedies such as Devil's Claw for the joints and Sea Buckthorn Oil capsules for the dry eyes and vagina.
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Patricia maguire — 17.04.2020 02:42
My hand are so sore if I take hrt will the pain go
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Eileen — 17.04.2020 09:57
Hi Patricia
This is something you would need to ask your doctor, we are unable to give advice on HRT, sorry
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Bridget — 18.01.2020 08:08
I am having extreme burning pain in both knees that incteases with walking or other activities. I had a right meniscus surgery 4 months ago and I am still having pain. More than before surgery. Just wondering if perenopause could be adding to.the situation
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Eileen — 20.01.2020 12:00
Hi Bridget
It is best to get this checked out again by your doctor just to make sure there is nothing amiss with the operation site.
But, yes, falling hormones can affect the joints so it could be a contributory factor. If your periods have started to tail off or have stopped then you could try the Menopause Support; this is known to gently raise and balance oestrogen and you could also add in the Devils Claw which is used as a natural anti-inflammatory.
https://www.avogel.co.uk/herbal-remedies/soy-isoflavones/
https://www.avogel.co.uk/herbal-remedies/devils-claw-atrosan/
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Susan — 15.01.2020 13:45
Hi Eileen,
I'm quite lucky, because I don't feel much of my menopause, but I do get the odd hot flush, mood swing and my joints sometimes ache a bit, so I'd like to try out Menopause Support. However, I have regular migraines with an aura (I take Topamax on a low dosage) and can't take any medication with estrogene. Is Menopause Support safe for me to take?
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Eileen — 17.01.2020 06:49
Hi Susan
We tend not to recommend the Menopause Support in this situation, sorry. However, for the odd hot flush, you could take the sage tincture. Magnesium can often help; if you are not taking any you may find starting on a low dose and gradually increasing it over a month or two can be of benefit.
Acupuncture may be helpful for both the migraines and the hormones so worth checking out. You can find a local practitioner through www.acupuncture.org.uk
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Helen Beech — 22.07.2019 19:25
I am suffering severely with joint pain and would be happy to try Devils claw however I would like to ask if it would affect my thyroxine medication. I am currently taking levothyroxin on a daily basis
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Eileen — 23.07.2019 06:17
Hi Helen, There are no known side effects with Devils claw herbal remedy. It should be fine to take along with your thyroid medication.
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Kerry — 11.07.2019 04:20
I’m 45 and I’m going through the menopause and my body is changing I need help my body is in pain
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Eileen — 11.07.2019 06:29
Hi Kerry
I have posted a video blog on joint pain and what you can do to help yourself so please do take a look. However, if you are in a lot of pain it is advisable to see your doctor as well just in case this is not related to the menopause.
http://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/eileens-blog/2015/12/a-vogels-menopause-mondays-joint-aches-pains/
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