Fibromyalgia

• Fibromyalgia presents as muscle pain, joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue (even after a restful night’s sleep). Your body may feel heavy, as though your muscles are resisting movement. You may also experience dizziness or difficulty concentrating.
• These symptoms can impact your daily life, including work, home responsibilities, and social activities.
• During menopause, these symptoms may intensify. A decline in oestrogen levels may heighten the perception of pain signals.
• Fibromyalgia is most prevalent in women of menopausal age.
• There are several ways to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia symptoms. Small lifestyle changes can help ease the pain. Supplements, medications, and hormone therapy may also provide relief.

During menopause, fibromyalgia symptoms can become more pronounced. While the exact cause remains unclear, hormonal changes are thought to play a role. During menopause, oestrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decline. Oestrogen helps regulate pain signals, so when levels drop, pain signals may feel more intense.

In fibromyalgia, the central nervous system’s pain processing becomes disrupted, a phenomenon known as central sensitisation. Fluctuations in the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine contribute to this process. These neurotransmitters not only influence mood but also affect how pain is perceived.

A light touch (such as clothing brushing against your skin) may suddenly feel sharp or burning. Sounds, light, or emotions may also feel more intense, increasing susceptibility to overstimulation.

Fibromyalgia is most common in women aged 40 to 60. Approximately 2% of the population has fibromyalgia, with women making up the majority. The percentage of women with fibromyalgia rises from less than 1% in the 18–30 age group to nearly 8% among women aged 55–64. After this age, the percentage decreases again.

Fibromyalgia often results from a combination of factors. Genetic predisposition can increase sensitivity to pain. Chronic stress and poor sleep can affect how the nervous system processes stimuli, triggering or worsening symptoms. For some women, symptoms develop after a significant event, such as surgery or an accident.

Fibromyalgia does not present measurable abnormalities in the body, so the diagnosis is based on symptoms and by ruling out other conditions. This process can be lengthy, which can be frustrating and create uncertainty.

The diagnosis is typically made by a doctor, often a rheumatologist. The doctor evaluates how long the symptoms have persisted (at least three months) and assesses pain in different areas of the body. This is done using the current fibromyalgia score, which considers the severity of symptoms and the number of painful areas. Blood tests are used to rule out other conditions, such as thyroid issues or vitamin deficiencies. Recognising and acknowledging the symptoms allows you to make informed choices about managing them.

There are various ways to reduce pain symptoms. While fibromyalgia cannot be cured, you can support your body naturally through healthy nutrition, adequate exercise, and rest. Supplements, medications, and hormone therapy (HRT) may also be beneficial.

Hormonal changes during menopause can affect energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and rest can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. Small adjustments can significantly improve how you feel. Fibromyalgia can be physically demanding and mentally exhausting. Be kind to yourself and respect your limits.

When using medications or supplements, a balanced lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications, enhancing their effectiveness. Experts recommend the following for fibromyalgia:

• Nutrition can influence energy levels, inflammatory responses, and pain perception. Eat unprocessed foods (focus on vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats) and limit sugar, alcohol, and fizzy drinks, as these can exacerbate low-grade inflammation. Also, drink plenty of water.
• Magnesium and vitamin D are crucial for normal muscle function and maintaining energy levels. Consider supplements in consultation with a doctor.
• Gentle and regular exercise keeps your muscles flexible and can reduce pain signals. Activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling are beneficial. Yoga and tai chi can also help calm the nervous system.
• A good night’s sleep and stress reduction can alleviate pain symptoms. Focus on good sleep hygiene. Avoid setting overly high expectations for yourself and schedule more rest periods, such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, or a warm bath.
• Heat (such as a hot water bottle or infrared lamp) can temporarily relieve sore muscles.
• Some women benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT does not aim to "talk away" the pain but can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and alter how pain signals are experienced. Discuss with your doctor or another healthcare provider whether CBT might be suitable for you.
• Unprocessed emotions or trauma can influence fibromyalgia. A psychologist may consider EMDR or other techniques to address symptoms more broadly. Discuss this with your doctor or therapist.

During menopause, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate and eventually diminish when menstruation ceases entirely. This can lead to symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, or fibromyalgia. For severe symptoms, hormone therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment. By replenishing the hormone deficiency, symptoms may decrease. This helps restore balance in your body, providing more energy and a sense of calm in daily life.

Hormone therapy is always prescribed by a doctor and tailored to your personal situation to ensure the treatment is safe and effective.

Many women are unaware that, in addition to hormone therapy, there are proven effective hormone-free medications to relieve menopausal symptoms. While hormone therapy can address multiple symptoms simultaneously, hormone-free medications often target a specific symptom. For instance, certain antidepressants (SNRIs) for hot flushes, anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain, or antacids for heartburn.

Hormone-free medications are always prescribed by a doctor. They can be a good option for those who cannot or do not wish to use hormone therapy. These medications work directly on the symptom without affecting hormonal balance, allowing you to address your symptoms in a targeted way and support your body.

During menopause, processes such as energy production, muscle building, and skin repair change. You can support these processes naturally with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman during menopause. Supplements can also target specific symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and fibromyalgia.

The effectiveness of supplements can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as lifestyle and health. The quality of the product also determines its efficacy. Choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.