While some ‘aches and pains’ are often mentioned by doctors as a symptom of menopause, full blown arthritis is not sited as a menopausal symptom, yet an increasing bank of research is discovering that menopause can be a significant trigger from the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and would also go on to explain why more women tend to suffer from joint pain and arthritis than men.
Until recently little has been known about the effects of oestrogen on joint inflammation, but studies are now finding that the sudden drop in oestrogen production at the start of the menopause can trigger a rapid onset of arthritic symptoms.
The global number of cases of OA have risen by more than 130% over the past three decades among women who have gone through the menopause, according to research published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health. In 2020 alone, an estimated 595 million people worldwide were living with the condition, comprising nearly 8% of the world's population, with postmenopausal women at heightened risk.
Other studies suggest that menopausal OA mainly affects the joints in the fingers and hands. Often small lumps will occur on either side of the affected joint. In the BMJ Global Health study specifically, hand osteoarthritis in menopausal women were found to nearly twice as high as they were in men of the same age. Hand and other osteoarthritis showed the fastest growth among 55–59 and 60–64-year-old women over the past decade.
A deeper understanding of the biological mechanisms that underlie the correlation between OA and menopause have been uncovered in a new study this year led by researchers at Spaulding Rehabilitation and published in Nature Aging.
The study found that protein interactions in cartilage are changed in OA and that menopause-induced loss of oestrogen and progesterone promotes extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte deterioration. The study also found that HRT helped reverse this damage.
Another recent study last year provides evidence of an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among post-menopausal women compared to pre-menopausal women. The random-effects analysis revealed a statistically significant association, with post-menopausal women having 35% higher odds of developing RA than their pre-menopausal counterparts. Furthermore, the study showed that women who experienced early menopause had nearly three times higher odds of developing RA than those who underwent menopause at a normal age.
What this and other studies prove is that the role of reproductive hormones around menopausal transition, particularly oestrogen, in RA pathogenesis is significant.
Oestrogen has both immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory effects depending on levels. This dual effect may explain the varying impacts of HRT depending on dose and duration. While theoretically protective, long-term HRT use has been associated with increased RA risk. Oestrogen loss leads to a Th1-dominant immune response, which may also drive RA pathogenesis. Progesterone, on the other hand, inhibits Th1 and Th17 pathways and may have a protective effect on the progression of RA.
What these recent studies show is that the burden of arthritis and joint pain among menopausal women continues to escalate, which is something that should be recognised more by doctors as a direct symptom of menopause, although what to prescribe for this type of menopausal arthritis may also cause some degree of debate among doctors.
GP Dr Donald Grant says; “Anything that can lower the reliance and habitual use of conventional painkillers for arthritis is a bonus because they so often do carry negative side effects for many patients using them on a long term and regular basis.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that studies looking at the value of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen in the treatment of arthritis could not reliably conclude whether Paracetamol was better than Ibuprofen or whether either was better than nothing at all for ‘arthritic’ pain.
So, taking this into account, it’s questionable if conventional painkillers even work that well on the pain caused by arthritis yet they carry many common side effects which are not very pleasant for the patient. So, anything that has similar (or perhaps even better) effects without any negative side effects is definitely worthy of investigation.”
Dr Grant highlights 3 ways to help prevent and manage menopausal-related Arthritis without the use of medicated painkillers.
Control early aches and pains
Most people or doctors would not feel comfortable prescribing regular NSAID’s (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) either as a cream or a tablet without having diagnosed and fairly advanced arthritis, which is often not the case with the often-rapid onset of menopausal arthritis.
However, using a natural anti-inflammatory therapy on menopausal arthritis pain sites can help manage and relieve menopausal related joint pain.
Actimas B&C Joint Rub (www.actimas.co.uk) contains both extracts of Frankincense (boswellia) and Myrrh (commiphora) which both have a solid bank of published research on their anti-inflammatory activity, and there’s some specific research on their anti-inflammatory action on joint swelling and arthritis.
The resin extracted from Frankincense contains acids which inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes, and in particular one of these acids is the most potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme responsible for inflammation.
Myrrh has also been widely studied for both its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, it’s one of nature’s pain relievers.
So, by combining these two spices together in one formula we’ve got a potent anti-inflammatory action combined with natural pain relief but, as my study showed, with no negative side effects. This is exactly what’s needed when dealing with arthritic pain.
Take supplements to build stronger joints
Studies recognised by The Arthritis Research Campaign, found that the two supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate taken in combination help in preventing the onset of OA by helping to build stronger bone cartilage.
Eat more selenium
Several published studies have found that low levels of selenium in people’s diets can increase the risk of osteoarthritis as the mineral acts as a protective antioxidant.
British women are particularly at risk because studies have shown that levels of selenium are very low in British soil, meaning that many foods grown in the UK lack beneficial levels of selenium, which may be part of the reason why OA is on the rise in the UK.
