Menopause Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Relief

Menopause pain is real and you’re not alone in experiencing it.
The good news is that there are ways to manage it. With the right combination of lifestyle adjustments, treatments and support from healthcare professionals, many women can find effective relief.

What to do:

Fortunately there are practical ways to ease pain at home and to help you stay healthy into the future:
Exercise regularly to ease joint and muscle stiffness, as well as other symptoms of menopause. It's important to participate in low-impact exercise including weight-bearing activities where your feet and legs support your weight like dancing or walking. Other non-weight bearing activities such as swimming, and yoga can also form part of your exercise routine, to help you relax and stay healthy.
Use heat or ice on sore areas to relax muscles and reduce tension. Heat increases blood flow, reduces joint stiffness, and relaxes tight muscles, (it shouldn't be used in the first 48 hours after an injury). A warm towel can be applied to ease spasms. Cold helps numb pain and reduce swelling or inflammation. You can use a cold towel or ice pack wrapped in a damp cloth, but never apply ice directly to the skin.
Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to support bone and joint health.
Stay hydrated and aim for regular sleep.
For vaginal dryness or discomfort: There are effective treatments available but many women feel too embarrassed to talk about them. It's important to talk openly with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and treatment options. 1. Use water-based lubricants or vaginal moisturisers. 2. Your doctor can prescribe you local oestrogen therapy if dryness is severe.

What to avoid:

It may help to avoid the things that might trigger pain and other symptoms of menopause, for example:
Avoid inactivity, which can lead to joint stiffness and weak bones.
Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can affect sleep and trigger headaches.
Avoid smoking—it can prolong menopause.
Speak to a healthcare professional before considering unregulated supplements or “natural remedies” that might not be backed by scientific evidence.

What is Menopause?

Menopause occurs when your periods stop and this is due to lower hormone levels. Women between the ages of 45 and 55 are usually affected however some may find it can happen earlier.

It can happen naturally, or can be bought on by things such as surgery to remove the ovaries or the uterus, cancer treatments, or a genetic reason.

Causes of Menopause Pain

Although women may experience a number of different symptoms as a result of the drop in oestrogen levels during menopause, some may also experience pain which affects joints, muscles, tissues, and other areas of the body.Common pain-related symptoms may include:

Joint pain and muscle aches

Oestrogen helps protect joints, reduce inflammation, and lower pain by affecting how pain signals are processed in the spine. During menopause, when oestrogen levels drop, joint pain, muscle aches and problems like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can get worse because the body loses some of this natural protection.

Headaches or migraines

Migraines can get worse before menopause due to fluctuating oestrogen, with more frequent and longer attacks. Some women find migraines are worse during hot flushes and night sweats. As periods stop, migraines often improve because hormone changes settle. It’s also not uncommon to experience the same type of “hormone headaches” experienced with periods, during menopause.

Breast tenderness

Hormonal changes are also responsible for breast tenderness before and during the time of menopause.

Pain during sex

During menopause, the lining of the vagina can become thinner, drier, and less flexible—a condition called vaginal atrophy—which can make sex painful. Vaginal and bladder symptoms are very common and can cause significant distress.

Pain processes

During menopause, stress, poor sleep, and low mood can make pain feel worse. Hormone changes—especially fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone—can affect how the brain processes pain. These changes may lower a woman’s pain threshold, making her more sensitive to pain, particularly from conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches.

Treatment Options – From HRT to Non-Hormonal Therapies

Here are some of the treatment options that can be discussed with a healthcare professional:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is an effective treatment for menopause symptoms, including joint and muscle pain. 1. Available as tablets, patches, gels, or vaginal rings. 2. Can also help with mood, migraine, sleep, and vaginal dryness.
Topical oestrogen (e.g., creams or pessaries) can be used specifically for vaginal symptoms without affecting the whole body.
Pain relief medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen (e.g., Nurofen Express 200 mg Liquid Capsules) can provide temporary relief from joint and muscle pain, as well as headaches. Ibuprofen also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it helpful for muscle and joint pain related to inflammation.

Always read the label and follow the dosage instructions. Seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor if you’re unsure if a medicine is suitable for you, or if you’re unsure of how much medicine to take.

When to See a Doctor

See your GP if:
Pain is severe, persistent, or disrupts daily life.
You experience pain during sex that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter remedies.
You’re unsure whether symptoms are menopause-related.
You want to explore HRT or other treatments.
A doctor can rule out other joint conditions such as arthritis.
It’s a good idea to get advice early to help reduce the possible impact of menopause on your health and general well-being.

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional. Always read the product label. Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.

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