MSK and the Menopause

What is Menopause?

All women will experience Menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels
This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 – average age is 51 years
It can sometimes happen earlier naturally. Or for reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason. Sometimes the reason is unknown

Stages of Menopause:

Peri menopause – the start of hormonal changes
Menopause – time from last menstrual period
Post menopause – 12 months from date of last menstrual period

Symptoms of Menopause

Symptoms of Menopause are more than just ‘hot flushes’.

Whilst some people may have very minimal symptoms most people will have some of the symptoms of menopause and will affect them in different ways and severity.

Symptoms usually improve over time as our body gets used to the new levels of hormones, but these can persist for months, even years after menopause.

Menopause and MSK

So why are we discussing Menopause when it comes MSK health?

For 21% of those going through menopause joint pain will be their primary symptom.

During and after Menopause there is an increased risk of fracture (bone break) and Osteoporosis (weakening of bones).

We also get a decrease in our muscle mass and strength, and our tendons can become stiffer. This can increase our risk of injury, affect our recovery time, and have wider implications on our overall health.

The good news is exercise, good sleep, and healthy lifestyle choices can help improve the symptoms of Menopause and reduce the long-term impact of conditions like Osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and mental health.

Impact, strength and balance exercises are recommended to help improve muscle function and bone health.

This is in addition to the wider benefits of exercise on other diseases.

Exercising doesn’t always mean going to the gym. This can be doing something you enjoy like walking, dancing, or classes.

CSP Stronger My Way is a useful website for ways of incorporating strength exercises into your life.

For cardiovascular, strength and resistance, yoga and Pilates exercise ideas see the NHS fitness Studio.

OAK Menopause

The Health Board are running education sessions to help you better understand the menopause. You must be registered with a GP within Gwent to access these sessions.

If you would like to register your interest or find out more about the upcoming sessions.

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