Rheumatic disease and menopause
If you experience worsening rheumatic symptoms in connection with menopause, you are not alone. However, there is uncertainty about the actual reason why symptoms may worsen during this phase, and more research is needed in this area.
The fact that it is common to experience a worsening of one's rheumatic disease during menopause does not mean that it will be the case for everyone. But menopause often means an extra challenge for those living with RA, for example:
Since both RA and menopause in themselves mean an increased risk of osteoporosis, menopause means an extra risk for RA patients. The loss of bone mass can lead to an increased risk of broken bones, poor posture and back pain. (1)
If you already have problems with fatigue, this can become an even greater challenge if you also suffer from disturbed sleep as a result of, for example, anxiety or night sweats. (1)
For those who experience difficulties in their sex life as a result of pain or fatigue related to the chronic disease, it can be further complicated during menopause when reduced estrogen levels make the body's mucous membranes dry and fragile. (1)
Both the hormonal changes that occur during menopause and the inflammation caused by RA can cause heart problems. For those who struggle with both, the risk becomes even greater, in other words. (1)
What can be done?
Regardless of whether the experienced symptoms are due to a rheumatic diagnosis or to the menopause —which is not always easy to know—there are things you can do to feel as well as possible:
Make sure to be physically active. Do something that you think is fun, so that it actually happens, and at a level that is doable but challenging. If it's too tough, it's easy to get discouraged; if it's too easy, you won't get the benefits of the exercise. (2)
Try to reduce the stress in life. Think a little extra about prioritizing your sleep and nurturing your relationships. There is research that shows that mindfulness can relieve discomfort in both menopause and RA. (2)
Dare to bring up even intimate problems with your doctor (1). If they don't know about them, they can't help you.
Choose food that helps the body feel good. Research has taught us that the so-called Mediterranean diet has great benefits both for rheumatic problems and menopausal problems. (2) For tips about eating and cooking, check out Elsa's program We’ve got to eat—but what?