Does premature menopause increase musculoskeletal pain?

Premature menopause, particularly due to surgical intervention, can induce musculoskeletal pain through hormonal disruptions and associated physiological changes. Estrogen, a key hormone affected by menopause, plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density and muscle mass. Its decline accelerates bone resorption, leading to osteoporosis, and contributes to muscle atrophy and weakness.

Weakened bones and muscles are more susceptible to strain and injury, resulting in pain. Furthermore, estrogen deficiency can impact joint health, promoting inflammation and cartilage degradation, which may exacerbate conditions like osteoarthritis. Thus, premature menopause disrupts the intricate hormonal balance, precipitating accelerated bone loss, muscle weakness, and joint deterioration, culminating in musculoskeletal discomfort.

The study examined how various types of menopause affect muscle discomfort and function in women aged 55 years and older. It involved nearly 650 late-postmenopausal women and found that those who underwent premature surgical menopause were more prone to developing musculoskeletal discomfort and sarcopenia compared to those who experienced natural menopause at age 45 years or older. The researchers proposed that hormone deficiency, rather than chronological age alone, played a more significant role in the pain and decline of muscle mass during the late post-menopause stage.

“This study highlights the potential long-term musculoskeletal effects of premature surgical menopause, which causes a more abrupt and complete loss of ovarian hormones, including estrogen and testosterone, than natural menopause. The use of hormone therapy until the natural age of menopause has the potential to mitigate some of the adverse long-term effects of early estrogen loss,” said Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director for The Menopause Society.

Reference: New study underscores the potential significance of hormone levels in influencing musculoskeletal health during the postmenopause phase; Menopause: THE MENOPAUSE SOCIETY; DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000002367