For many women, menopause is an expected part of ageing—but that doesn’t mean it’s well understood, especially when it comes to the musculoskeletal system. As physiotherapists, we often treat women in their 40s and 50s with persistent aches, stiffness, or fatigue that doesn’t respond to typical loading strategies. Could hormones be part of the puzzle?
In a recent Lunch & Learn session, Emily Wyer, Associate Physiotherapist at our Caringbah clinic, shared essential insights into how menopause affects joint and muscle health—and how physiotherapy can support women navigating this transition.
Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, typically occurring around age 51, and is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. But symptoms begin much earlier during perimenopause, often in a woman’s early 40s.
There are three key stages:
Some women also experience early menopause (before age 40), often due to medical treatments or genetic factors.
While hot flushes and mood swings get the most attention, many women are surprised to learn that menopause can directly impact their physical health. Symptoms may include:
Many of these symptoms bring women to our clinics in Penrith, Jordan Springs, Caringbah and Mount Annan, where our physiotherapists are trained to consider the hormonal changes behind the pain.
Our physiotherapists are well placed to support women who are experiencing shoulder pain with menopause-related issues.
If you’re treating a woman over 40 with chronic pain, fatigue, or tendon issues not improving with conventional loading, consider asking about menstrual history or referring for further hormonal screening.
Emily Wyer shared how some patients presenting with seemingly unrelated injuries showed significant improvement once hormonal factors were considered and managed—sometimes with the addition of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) alongside physiotherapy. We would always recommend speaking to your GP, or a medical practitioner with a special interest in menopause to discuss appropriate interventions.
For physiotherapists, this insight is particularly useful when treating women with:
Physiotherapists at The Healthy Body Company are ideally placed to help women understand their symptoms, improve mobility, reduce pain, and regain confidence. Here’s how we help:
Whether you’re visiting our team in Caringbah, Penrith, Jordan Springs or Mount Annan, we’re committed to supporting women through every stage of menopause
Menopause is not a “women’s health issue”—it’s a whole-person health issue, and physiotherapists have a vital role in recognising, educating, and supporting women through this expected life stage.
If menopause is affecting your mobility, comfort or confidence, you don’t have to go it alone. Our physiotherapists understand the hormonal influences at play and will help you take a proactive, personalised approach to your health.
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For more information:
Blog 2 in this series:
🦴 “Why Your Joints Ache: The Menopause–Musculoskeletal Connection”
