What is hypermobility?<\/h2>\n
Hypermobility refers to joints that move beyond the normal range (imagine acrobats with their legs bent behind their heads). When this flexibility comes with pain and frequent joint injuries, it may signal an underlying connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers\u2011Danlos Syndrome (EDS). EDS is a group of genetic conditions that affect collagen, the protein that gives strength and elasticity to skin, ligaments, blood vessels and organs.<\/p>\n
The most common form, Hypermobile EDS (hEDS) \u2014 the one I live with \u2014 is marked by unstable, easily dislocated joints, chronic pain, stretchy or fragile skin, digestive problems, easy bruising and often intense fatigue. Living with EDS means dealing with both visible and invisible symptoms that can affect every part of daily life.<\/p>\n
How hormones affect hypermobile joints<\/h2>\n
As explained on the Menopause: Complete Guide for Women Over 45,<\/a>\u00a0 menopause, with its hormonal swings, shakes up just about everything in the body. Lower oestrogen and progesterone levels can change how connective tissues and muscles behave, which may exacerbate symptoms for those who are hypermobile. Research and clinical experience suggest that joint pain, tendonitis, muscle aches, mood swings, sleep problems and fatigue can all feel more intense when hypermobility sits on top of the menopause transition (just when you thought it could not get any worse).\u200b<\/p>\n Some women notice increased joint laxity (that loose, unstable feeling), more sprains, vaginal dryness and worsening pelvic floor dysfunction. Hormonal changes can influence connective tissue and pelvic support, so menopause and hypermobility can feed off each other and amplify symptoms.<\/p>\n Hypermobility doesn\u2019t stop at the joints. The same loose connective tissue can affect the digestive tract, leading to multiple symptoms:<\/p>\n All this overlaps with menopause, which can also slow down digestion, increase bloating, and make IBS symptoms worse.<\/p>\n There are times when the pain, stiffness, and fatigue are worse than ever. Menopause may increase joint pain, while hypermobility makes healing slower and injuries more common. Tracking symptoms can help\u2014writing in a journal or using a symptom tracker. For hypermobile women, healing often lags behind expectations and rest periods may need adjusting.\u200b<\/p>\n Hypermobile pain during menopause may call for using different strategies:<\/p>\n Remember that dosing and interactions should always be checked with a doctor\/GP.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Menopause aggravates insulin resistance \u2014 a real challenge for weight management. Lower estrogen, increased abdominal fat, disrupted sleep, stress, and reduced physical activity are all drivers. Here\u2019s what helps:\u200b<\/p>\n Looking back ten years, life with EDS already meant I had to pace myself \u2014 if I felt tired or achy, I\u2019d stop, rest for a few days, and usually bounce back enough to get on with things. These days, menopause is like a tricky guest that moved right in, bringing lots of new challenges along for the ride. Suddenly, there\u2019s a whole bunch of changes to deal with and it can feel overwhelming. The worst is insulin resistance; now, no matter how sensibly I eat or how much I want to lose weight, the scale refuses to budge.<\/p>\n Swimming is the only thing gentle enough for my joints, and when I finally manage to build a routine \u2014 motivated, determined to swim three times a week \u2014 something else goes wrong. My hypermobile shoulders can\u2019t take the repetitive action, and sure enough, I end up with tendinitis in my left one. Last year it was my knees and tailbone\u2014so painful I couldn\u2019t walk or even sit. It was, to put it mildly, an interesting time.\u00a0 Sometimes I feel like I\u2019m being penalised just for trying to look after myself and be healthy \u2014 and, heaven forbid, actually lose a bit of weight.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an endless, frustrating cycle. When pain or fatigue hits, I wonder: is this menopause, or my bendy collagen acting up? The truth is, it\u2019s both \u2014 menopause is making my hypermobility symptoms more intense, while hypermobility is feeding into my menopause struggles. It can feel like a never-ending tug-of-war, with no clear winner. But even when it seems impossible, I remind myself that resting, and not giving up are the only way forward.\u00a0 And if sharing how tough it can be helps someone else feel less alone, then at least the battle isn\u2019t for nothing.<\/p>\n And in a couple of weeks I’ll be back in the pool again!<\/p>\n Have you had similar experiences living with menopause and hypermobility? If you have any stories, tips, or questions, I\u2019d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comments!<\/p>\n Yes, many women with hypermobility or Ehlers\u2011Danlos Syndrome (EDS) notice their joint pain gets worse in perimenopause and menopause. Falling oestrogen can affect collagen, connective tissue and inflammation, which may increase pain and reduce stability in already flexible joints .<\/p>\n No. Joint pain in menopause is common even in women without hypermobility, and can be related to hormonal changes, osteoarthritis, weight changes, activity levels or other conditions. If you\u2019re hypermobile, menopause can add an extra layer, so it\u2019s important to talk to a healthcare professional to rule out other causes and get a proper assessment .<\/p>\n Generally, low\u2011impact, controlled movement is safest: options like swimming, Pilates, yoga with a focus on stability (not deep stretching), and light strength training to support muscles around your joints. Because hypermobility and menopause affect each woman differently, it\u2019s best to work with a physiotherapist or trainer who understands both joint instability and midlife hormonal changes.<\/p>\n Disclaimer: Always consult with your GP\/rheumatologist\/menopause specialist if you recognise yourself in the article. Silverlocks is supportive information, not a replacement for care.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Menopause and hypermobility can be a challenge. In this article I explain how they interact, common symptoms, and how you can manage joint pain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-menopause","format-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=271"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":407,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271\/revisions\/407"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Digestive symptoms when menopause and hypermobility collide<\/h2>\n
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When symptoms cross over<\/h2>\n
Tips To Manage Menopause\u2011Related Joint Pain When You\u2019re Hypermobile<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Key supplements and nutrients<\/h2>\n
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![\"menopause](\"https:\/\/www.silverlocks.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pexels-yankrukov-8436476-scaled-e1771343348509.jpg\")
Photo by Yan Krukau\/Pexels.com<\/p>\nHealing foods<\/h2>\n
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Managing insulin resistance and weight<\/h2>\n
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Living with menopause and hypermobility day to day<\/h2>\n
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My experience<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
1. Can menopause make hypermobility joint pain worse?<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Is joint pain in menopause always caused by hypermobility?<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. What gentle exercises are safest if I\u2019m hypermobile and in menopause?<\/b><\/h3>\n
References<\/h2>\n
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Read more on Silverlocks<\/h3>\n
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