Estrogen and joint pain during menstruation or menopause

Joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of menstruation or menopause. If you feel a little stiff and painful in your joints, especially in the morning, you should go to a medical facility for an examination to control your symptoms.

Estrogen is an important hormone for sexual and reproductive development, mainly in women. They are also known as female sex hormones. The term "estrogen" refers to all the chemically similar hormones in this group, namely estrone, estradiol (mainly in women of reproductive age), and estriol.

In women, estrogen is produced mainly in the ovaries. The ovaries are grape-sized glands located inside the uterus and are part of the endocrine system. Therefore, estrogen has the following functions:
Estrogen is produced by fat cells and the adrenal glands, helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, controls the growth of the lining of the uterus during the first part of the cycle. If the egg is fertilized, estrogen works with progesterone to prevent ovulation during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the placenta produces estrogen, specifically the hormone estriol. Estrogen controls lactation and other breast changes, both during adolescence and during pregnancy. Estrogen plays an important role in bone formation, working with vitamin D, calcium and other hormones to effectively break down and rebuild bone according to the body's natural process. As estrogen levels begin to decline in middle age, bone rebuilding slows down. For post-menopausal women, more bone is broken down than is produced. This is why postmenopausal women are four times more likely to have joint pain and osteoporosis than men. Estrogen even affects the skin, hair, mucous membranes, and pelvic muscles. For example, estrogen can make the skin darker. Some researchers hope to use this information to create fake skin creams that are safe by triggering estrogen's tanning response, without causing other hormone-induced changes in the body. .

Joint pain is one of the common menopause symptoms, reducing mobility and flexibility. The causes of joint pain in menopause and how to treat and prevent it are all related to lifestyle, diet, naturopathy and supplements.
While joint pain and stiffness is inevitable as we age, when women reach menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55, they are often surprised to discover that joint pain is a among the most common symptoms aside from nighttime hot flashes, sweating, menstrual cycle changes, and mood swings.
Joints involved in high impact movements such as hips and knees are most commonly affected. Elbows, neck, shoulders, hands, and fingers can also be affected by joint pain.
Some causes of joint pain during menopause include:
Hormonal disorders. Loss of water. Weight gain. Improper diet. Poor posture. Increased sensitivity to pain.

Decreased estrogen levels are thought to be one of the main causes of joint pain during menopause. When you reach menopause, the level of estrogen in your body begins to drop. Estrogen is responsible for regulating fluid levels in the body, so if levels of this hormone are low, the body becomes less able to retain water, affecting the hydration and lubrication of joint tissues, including cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
Up to 80% of cartilage is water, they act as a cushion between bones, absorbing shock and reducing friction. Water is also a natural part of synovial fluid, which helps joints move without creating friction.
Water is also needed to help support the flexibility and elasticity of ligaments and tendons. Ligaments connect one bone to another and are necessary for joint stability, while tendons connect your muscles to bones. As ligaments and tendons lose their elasticity, your range and ease of movement can be reduced.
Therefore, without enough water, the flexibility and lubricating ability of joint tissues can be affected. When this protective and supportive property is impaired, it can cause pain and stiffness.
In short, when you reach menopause, the level of estrogen in your body starts to drop. Estrogen is responsible for regulating fluid levels in the body, so if levels of this hormone are low, the body becomes less able to retain water, affecting the hydration and lubrication of joint tissues, including cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

References: Healthline.com, Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov