Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in joints deteriorates, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Declining oestrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can thin cartilage and dry out mucous membranes, exacerbating joint problems.
• Osteoarthritis is primarily characterised by painful and stiff joints and reduced flexibility. In some cases, joints may become inflamed.
• In the Netherlands, 1.5 million people have osteoarthritis, the majority of whom are women. Many women experience osteoarthritis or joint pain after menopause, possibly due to the drop in oestrogen levels.
• You can counteract the deterioration of bones, joints, and cartilage by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you have osteoarthritis, there are various treatments that can help.

Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage in joints deteriorates, resulting in painful and stiff joints. Additionally, the bone around the joint may change. The joints themselves do not wear out, but the surrounding factors do, making joint movement less smooth.

During menopause, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decrease. Oestrogen helps keep cartilage strong and mucous membranes moist. When this hormone declines, cartilage can become thinner, and mucous membranes drier. This can also manifest as dry eyes, a dry mouth, or vaginal dryness. As the cartilage layer between your bones becomes thinner and less smooth, joints move less fluidly and may rub against each other. This causes pain, irritation, or inflammation.

Science has yet to fully understand the exact role of hormones in osteoarthritis. However, it is known that oestrogen is essential for healthy bones, joints, and cartilage. Many women experience osteoarthritis or joint pain after menopause.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated in 2019 that approximately 528 million people worldwide live with osteoarthritis. Of these, 73 per cent are over 55 years old, and the majority are women. This may be linked to declining hormone levels.

During menopause, you may experience pain in your hips, fingers, or knees. This does not necessarily mean you have osteoarthritis, but it could be a sign of a larger issue. Osteoarthritis can be identified by:

• Painful joints, especially in the neck, lower back, knees, hips, hands, fingers, and big toe
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Stiffness, particularly when getting up
• Difficulty moving
• Reduced flexibility
• A red, swollen, warm, or painful joint if it is inflamed

Other factors can also contribute to osteoarthritis, either individually or in combination. These include injuries, being overweight, engaging in activities that strain the joints, physically demanding work, bone fractures, congenital joint abnormalities, and heredity.

There are several effective ways to address osteoarthritis. You don’t have to simply live with it. You can support your body naturally through healthy nutrition, sufficient exercise, and rest. Additionally, supplements, medications, and hormone therapy (HRT) can be beneficial.

When your hormone levels change during menopause, it can affect your energy levels, sleep, digestion, and metabolism. Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate rest can help prevent or alleviate symptoms. Small adjustments can already make a difference in how you feel.

When using medications or supplements, a balanced lifestyle supports your body in absorbing nutrients and processing medications, making supplements and medications more effective. Experts recommend the following for osteoarthritis:

• The most important thing is to move every day. Exercise keeps your body flexible and strong, including your bones and joints. This is scientifically proven. It may feel stiff at first, but don’t let that discourage you. Low-impact activities like Pilates, yoga, cycling, swimming, or aqua aerobics are particularly beneficial.
• Stand up every hour. Many people sit all day, especially in office jobs. Your body doesn’t like that. Try to move every half hour, take a walk during a meeting, or go for a stroll after lunch.
• Eat a healthy and varied diet. Cartilage needs nutrients to stay strong. When there are deficiencies, cartilage often gets low priority from the body. Ensure you get enough nutrients and consider supplementing with a multivitamin and mineral complex.
• Omega-3 is especially important. These fatty acids help reduce inflammation.
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight. Less weight means less pressure on your bones and joints.

During menopause, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate and largely disappear once your periods have completely stopped. This can cause symptoms like hot flushes, vaginal dryness, or osteoarthritis. For severe symptoms, hormone therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment. By replenishing the hormone deficiency, symptoms decrease. This helps restore balance in your body, giving you more energy and calm in your 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 menopause symptoms. While hormone therapy can address multiple symptoms at once, hormone-free medications often target a specific issue. Examples include certain antidepressants (SNRIs) for hot flushes, anti-inflammatory drugs for joint pain, or antacids for heartburn.

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

During menopause, your body’s processes for generating energy, building muscle, and repairing skin change. You can naturally support these processes with high-quality supplements. Magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 are recommended for every woman going through menopause. Supplements can also target specific symptoms such as hot flushes, poor sleep, and osteoarthritis.

The effectiveness of supplements can vary from person to person, depending on factors like lifestyle and health. The quality of the product also determines how well it works. Choose high-quality supplements without unnecessary fillers.