Menopause and chronic pain

A new study published by Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) found that estrogen affects pain sensitivity.  The study of 200,000 individuals from the Veterans Health Administration found a link between menopause symptoms and chronic pain including conditions like fibromyalgia, back pain, arthritis and osteoarthritis.  Accounting for known risk factors, the researchers concluded that women with menopause symptoms had nearly double the chances of having chronic pain and multiple pain diagnoses.  The researchers also reported that some common changes during menopause, including impaired sleep, weight gain, negative mood and often decreased physical activity can also affect both sensitivity to pain and pain tolerance.

NOTE:  The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is a non-profit organization ‘Dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women during midlife and beyond through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging.’