When women think about menopause, the first symptoms that often come to mind are hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes. But what if I told you that physical pain and changes in muscles and joints are just as common — and often even more disruptive?
According to research by orthopaedic surgeon and women’s health expert Dr Vonda Wright, up to 80 % of women going through perimenopause and menopause experience musculoskeletal symptoms — things like joint pain, muscle loss, frozen shoulder, and generalised aches — yet many of these symptoms go unrecognised or are attributed to “just getting older.” (PR Newswire)
What Dr Vonda Wright Calls the “Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause”
Dr Wright helped define a specific set of menopause-related symptoms known as the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM). This syndrome includes:
- Arthralgia (total body pain)
- Inflammation and joint stiffness
- Frozen shoulder
- Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia)
- Loss of bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis)
- Increase in arthritis symptoms
Her research shows that 80 % of post-menopausal women experience these symptoms, and 25 % are severely debilitated by them — yet many receive no diagnosis or treatment. (PR Newswire)
Why This Happens
Menopause involves a significant drop in oestrogen, a hormone that supports bone, muscle, and joint health. As oestrogen levels decline:
- Connective tissues such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscle all become more vulnerable to pain and stiffness. (The ‘Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver)
- Women can lose muscle mass more rapidly, contributing to weakness and joint strain. (drvondawright.com)
This is not “just getting old.” It’s a biological process linked to hormonal change — and it affects far more women than most people realise.
Symptoms You Might Not Expect
Beyond the better-known signs of menopause, Dr Wright’s work highlights how many women experience:
- Persistent joint pain or “total body aches”
- Frozen shoulder or restricted shoulder movement
- Hip pain and reduced mobility
- Muscle weakness and loss of strength
- Pain that shows up despite normal imaging tests (40 % of women have no structural cause found on scans) (PR Newswire)
These symptoms often leave women feeling frustrated, dismissed, or confused when doctors find “nothing wrong,” even though the pain or limitations are real.
The Hidden Impact
Many women who present with musculoskeletal symptoms in perimenopause describe it as one of the hardest parts of mid-life. Dr Wright herself has shared that 80 % of women experience these musculoskeletal symptoms at similar rates to other well-recognised signs like hot flashes — yet most women have never been told about them. (Coconote)
What You Can Do
Knowledge is power. Understanding that these symptoms are linked to menopause can:
- Help you feel validated rather than dismissed
- Enable you to seek appropriate care sooner
- Guide you toward targeted strategies like tailored remedial massage, strength-building activity, and professional support
Remedial massage can help ease muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and support recovery, creating space for better movement and reduced discomfort — especially when paired with other lifestyle strategies. Read more on massage and these issues on our website.
You Are Not Alone — And Support Is Available
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and experiencing pain, stiffness, muscle weakness, or mobility changes, it’s not normal ageing — and you don’t have to just “put up with it.”
To book a remedial massage appointment with Charlene, visit the Joondalup Massage Website.
Read more on Menopausal Massage support services on the Joondalup Massage website.
Together we can help you move with more comfort and confidence through every stage of life.
Bibliography — Menopause & Musculoskeletal Syndrome
- Dr Vonda Wright and the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause
Groundbreaking study establishing the term and prevalence of MSM, including statistics on symptoms like frozen shoulder, muscle loss, and arthralgia.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groundbreaking-study-establishes-nomenclature-for-musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-302210920.html - Original Research Article (Climacteric journal)
Peer-reviewed article introducing “The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause” and detailing prevalence figures and symptoms linked to oestrogen decline.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2024.2380363 - Harvard Health on Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Menopause
Discusses widespread joint pain and stiffness symptoms in perimenopause and menopause related to oestrogen changes.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over - Healthline: Overview of Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause
Summarises causes, symptoms, and prevalence estimates tied to oestrogen loss during menopause.
https://www.healthline.com/health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause - Research Review on Musculoskeletal Symptoms During Menopause
Large systematic review confirming that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women have higher risk of muscle and joint pain than premenopausal women.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12784006/ - Wellness/Health Education on Musculoskeletal Impact of Menopause
Explains the wide range of symptoms falling under musculoskeletal effects of menopause, including bone and muscle changes.
https://balancenorth.com.au/balance-blog/the-musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause - Women’s Health Magazine Summary of Dr Wright’s Findings
Public-facing summary of MSM prevalence and symptoms based on Dr Wright’s research, helpful for readers.
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a65477131/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause/