When most people think of menopause, the common symptoms that come to mind; hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and brain fog. These well-known effects are primarily the result of hormonal fluctuations, particularly declining estrogen and progesterone levels. However, what is less commonly discussed are the significant musculoskeletal changes that also occur during this time.
Studies show that up to 71% of perimenopausal women experience musculoskeletal pain, often due to hormonal changes affecting muscle and joint function. This can cause restriction in movement and generalised body pain. On average, women lose around 10% of their muscle mass during menopause, and with reduced estrogen levels, it becomes more difficult to regain this lost strength.
Another major concern is bone health. Approximately 27.4% of postmenopausal women develop osteoporosis, a condition where bone density reduces, making bones thinner, weaker, and more prone to fractures. Loss of muscle mass and bone density can lead to poor balance, fatigue, and a higher risk of injury.
Osteopathic treatment offers a holistic approach to menopause management. Through skilled hands-on approaches, osteopaths help reduce joint stiffness, improve circulation, and ease muscular tension. Combined with individualised exercise programs, osteopathy can support the maintenance and rebuilding of muscle strength, enhance mobility, and promote better posture and balance.
By Dr Francesca Evans Registered Osteopath
KO, J. and Park, Y.-M. (2021). Menopause and the Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass in Women. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 50(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v50i2.5362
Marcy B. Bolster MD; Mala S. Sivanandy MD; Vin Tangpricha MD, PhD; Alan Ehrlich MD (2025). DynaMed. [online] Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/postmenopausal-osteoporosis#GUID-80858525-8FED-426D-93B3-871F286A3D4B
National Institute on Aging (2021). What is menopause? [online] National Institute on Aging. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
Wright, V.J., Schwartzman, J.D., Itinoche, R. and Wittstein, J. (2024). The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. Climacteric: The Journal of the International Menopause Society, [online] 27(5), pp.1–7. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2024.2380363
To find out more about author Francesca, click here.
