background-shape

I can imagine the scene; you get out of bed in the morning, your whole body is aching and your joints feel really stiff? As you walk around your bedroom you feel about 90 wondering why you ache so much? And how can this be normal? Well did you know this is a very common symptom of menopause?

During my nursing I have seen many middle-aged women who have stiff joints and when I’ve asked them about it they tell me they have “arthritis” but this isn’t a diagnosis from the GP; it’s an assumption. I have spoken to some women who have paid for private MRI and still no cause has been found. If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, then you have an actual diagnosis but most women I have spoken to think that aching muscles and joints is normal; well it’s not.

Finding the cause of the problem is the most important thing. So where do you start? If you have injuries and or other health conditions your GP will support you. But let’s look at menopause. Low levels of female hormones often cause pains and stiffness to joints and muscles. By replacing hormones, symptoms often improve and the effects are often quite dramatic!

Case Study

A lady I saw recently had such painful stiff joints in her hands, she could no longer cycle. She was part of a cycling group and not being able to exercise and socialise really impacted on her health and she felt really low.

She was taking lots of tablets for the pain and her GP had referred her to Rheumatology. They couldn’t find any cause, so she was back to square one. By chance she’d watched one of my menopause videos and heard me say how joint pains were related to menopause; she then booked an appointment with me.

We had a full consultation and I realised how stiff her hands really were. She was upset and so worried it would get worse. I prescribed her HRT and arranged to review her 3 months later. Well; what can I say. I saw a different woman in front of me. Her fingers were no longer stiff and she’d been cycling again. She could not believe how much the HRT had improved this but her other milder aches and pains. Her energy levels had improved and she felt more like her old self again.

Talking to qualified health professionals such as Nurse Practitioners and Doctors who have regulated menopause qualifications is vital. I’ve been nursing for over 30 years and have extensive knowledge on health, medicine and menopause!

If you can relate to this; then do think is this the menopause? To book an appointment with me and see how I can support and prescribe for you please email enquiries@bourne2care.co.uk

feature-image