As women age they tend to experience joint pain. This is a common problem with women and men. However menopause joint pain can be a particularly painful symptom of menopause. Women experience menopause between the age of 45 and 55 and their bodies undergo a number of changes.

Menopause joint pain includes stiffness in joints and swelling in the joint region along with pain. Such joint pain is experienced in the high impact joints like the hips, back and knees. In fact many women going through menopause notice stiffness in the joints of their hands. Some joints where pain is commonly experienced include the hinge joints in the knee and the elbow. Gliding joints that are located in the wrists, ankles and the spine and ball and socket joints in the hip and shoulder also experience pain and stiffness.

In fact menopause joint pain is also known as menopausal arthritis as it is common among women going through menopause. This problem can be extremely discomforting and painful and can make even the simplest tasks extremely difficult and painful. The typical symptoms of menopause joint pain include swelling along with warmth in the joint and pain and stiffness. This joint pain may also include limited morning stiffness in the joints and the pain and stiffness may be aggravated because of exercise.

Menopause joint pain is experienced because of hormonal imbalance. In menopause initially the hormone levels fluctuate and this is eventually followed by decline in the levels of the primary hormones. Diminishing estrogen levels result in joint pain. Estrogen is responsible for keeping inflammation in joints under control and with reduced estrogen the persistent inflammation results in joint pain.

As women age thinning of bones occurs and this further results in joint pain. Likewise with age the cartilage between the bones weakens and this increases the possibility of joint pain and even fractures. Stress can also be a huge contributory factor to the joint pain. The hormone cortisol which is released in response to stress acts as an inflammatory agent and this can further aggravate menopause joint pain.

A healthy diet along with moderate exercise can help in alleviating the joint pain. Reducing consumption of sugar along with refined carbohydrates can reduce joint pain. It is also advisable to consume greater proportion of vegetables and fruits. Simple stretching exercises and walking can also help in reducing joint pain. Some muscle strengthening exercises can also help in reducing joint pain. Multivitamins and other supplements should also be taken to reduce the intensity of the joint pain. Some alternative medicines such as herbal medicines and supplements can help in reducing the menopause joint pain.