The Musculoskeletal Syndrome Of Menopause

Good morning!

I’m so encouraged by the information that continues to come out on menopause and women’s health.

It gives me hope that my daughter will have an easier road ahead when she reaches this stage in life, filled with science-backed research to help her make informed decisions.

The International Menopause Society has just published an awesome article by Dr. Vonda Wright , The Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause, where she breaks down the effects of rapid estrogen loss during perimenopause and menopause on the musculoskeletal system. THAT IS A MOUTHFUL!

Why is this a big deal? This is the first ever article of its kind and is a major win for women in further understanding what’s really happening to our bodies during this transition.

What does the article say?

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause (MSM) is used to describe the common musculoskeletal symptoms related to loss of estrogen levels, including joint pain, inflammation, sarcopenia, osteoporosis and cartilage damage.

In isolation, these terms do not adequately communicate to patients the role of decreasing estrogen or suggest how treatment with proper nutrition, resistance training, vitamin intake and/or MHT may have a substantial role in quality of life, preventing falls and decreasing frailty mortality.

• more than 47 million women worldwide enter the menopause transition annually

• More than 70% will experience musculoskeletal symptoms

  • Arthralgia (total body pain)

  • Inflammation (frozen shoulder as an example)

  • Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass)

  • Osteopenia/osteoporosis (loss of bone density)

  • Arthritis

  • Satellite proliferation in muscle

• 25% of women will become disabled through the menopause transition

Why does this happen?

Estrogen is a powerful anti-inflammatory hormone that protects our bones, muscles and joints. As we experience a loss of estrogen in perimenopause and menopause, we lose the protection it once provided.

What can be done about it?

Dr. Wright outlines that regular screenings, nutrition and lifestyle choices and MHT (menopause hormone therapy) can play a large role in prevention and reduction of symptoms.

• Proper nutrition (including increase in protein, antioxidant rich foods)

• Exercise (including strength training)

• Vitamin D+K2

• Magnesium

• MHT

Dr. Wright’s call to action:

Dr. Wright is asking all physicians to become educated on MSM, especially physicians who are treating women.

I often joke about having one goal: to stay out of a nursing home when I’m elderly. But we know that what we do now sets us up for a healthier, more mobile, more independent life as we age.

And thanks to the outstanding work being done by physicians like Dr. Wright, we have a path forward.