World Menopause Day 2026: Chronic Pain at Midlife
Chronic pain can have a significant impact on everyday life, affecting sleep, mobility, work and emotional wellbeing. Yet for many women, the connection between pain and the menopause transition may not immediately be recognised.
For World Menopause Day 2026, on 18 October, the International Menopause Society (IMS) is shining a spotlight on Chronic Pain at Midlife, highlighting the importance of better recognition, understanding and evidence-based care.
Muscle and joint pain are commonly reported during perimenopause and after menopause. While hormonal changes may play a role, chronic pain is complex and can have many different causes.
What Do We Mean by Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is generally defined as pain that persists or recurs for longer than three months. At midlife, this may include:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Muscle aches
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Headaches and migraine
- Pelvic pain
- Widespread pain
- Pain associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia
Some women may notice these symptoms for the first time during perimenopause, while others may find an existing pain condition becomes more difficult to manage.
Why Can Pain Become More Noticeable During Menopause?
Oestrogen receptors are found throughout the body, including in muscles, joints, bones and areas of the nervous system involved in processing pain. As oestrogen levels fluctuate and decline, this may influence musculoskeletal health and how pain is experienced.
Other factors common at midlife can also contribute, including poor sleep, stress, fatigue, changes in muscle mass and strength, reduced physical activity and existing health conditions.
These factors can overlap. Pain can disrupt sleep, while poor sleep and fatigue can make pain harder to manage. Discomfort may also make it more difficult to stay active, potentially affecting strength and mobility.
Don’t Simply Put Chronic Pain Down to Menopause
Although aches and pains can become more common around menopause, persistent pain should not automatically be assumed to be hormonal or accepted as an inevitable part of ageing.
There are many possible causes, including osteoarthritis, inflammatory conditions, injury and migraine. New, persistent, severe or worsening pain should therefore be assessed, particularly if it is affecting everyday life.
Supporting Musculoskeletal Health at Midlife
There is no single solution to chronic pain, and the right approach will depend on its underlying cause. However, some practical measures can support musculoskeletal health and general wellbeing:
- Keep moving: Regular physical activity can help maintain mobility, muscle strength and function.
- Prioritise strength: Resistance exercise can support muscle and bone health as we age.
- Support good sleep: Addressing sleep problems and menopause symptoms such as night sweats may help improve overall wellbeing.
- Eat well: A balanced diet with adequate protein, calcium and vitamin D can support muscle and bone health.
- Manage stress: Relaxation, mindfulness and other stress-management techniques may form part of a broader approach to managing chronic pain.
Can HRT Help with Pain During Menopause?
There are biological reasons why declining oestrogen may contribute to joint and muscle symptoms, and some women report improvements in aches and pains when other menopause symptoms are treated.
Research continues to explore the relationship between HRT and chronic or musculoskeletal pain. While HRT is not specifically a treatment for chronic pain, it may form part of a wider approach to managing menopause symptoms for some women.
Where pain occurs alongside other menopause symptoms, a specialist can consider the overall picture and discuss whether HRT may be appropriate based on individual symptoms, medical history and preferences.
When Should You Seek Specialist Advice?
Seek medical advice if pain is persistent or worsening, affects sleep or mobility, makes everyday activities difficult, or is accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, weakness or significant stiffness.
Persistent pain is not something women should simply assume they have to tolerate at midlife.
Hormone Health Support: Looking at the Whole Picture
At Hormone Health, our multidisciplinary team provides personalised, evidence-based care for women experiencing menopause and other hormonal health concerns, including persistent aches and pains alongside other symptoms.
By considering medical history, symptoms and overall health, our specialists can help identify the most appropriate investigations, support and treatment options.
As persistent pain can have a range of underlying causes, further assessment or referral to an appropriate specialist may be recommended, depending on the suspected diagnosis or if symptoms do not improve with hormonal treatment, where prescribed.
Our London team is based at OneWelbeck, offering face-to-face consultations with our Hormone Health Specialists and access to leading consultants across a broad range of specialties, facilitating onward referrals and a multidisciplinary approach to care where needed. Virtual consultations are also available with our team, enabling women to access specialist advice regardless of their geographical location.
To find out more about our specialists, services or personalised approach to hormone healthcare, please contact the Hormone Health team.
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The Hormone Health Specialists are here to advise and support.