Everything Hurts! Why Your Body Suddenly Aches During Perimenopause
Did you wake up one morning recently and feel like you aged a decade overnight? Suddenly, your back is stiff, your knees are complaining, and that hip ache has taken on a life of its own. Getting out of bed, which used to be pure bliss, has suddenly become a physical negotiation.
If you’ve been secretly wondering, “Am I just getting old?” or “Is this my fate forever?”, take a deep breath. You are not alone, nobody prepared us for this, and you are not imagining it.
Welcome to the reality of perimenopause joint pain.
The “celebrity hormones” and your joints
In our perimenopause journey, estrogen and progesterone are our “celebrity hormones.” As we transition toward menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decline. Because estrogen plays a vital role in protecting our tissues, bones, muscles and joints, this sudden drop can leave you feeling achy, stiff and generally uncomfortable, especially after sitting for long periods or right when you wake up.
But before you blame absolutely everything on perimenopause, there is a bigger picture to consider. Why do some days feel great while others leave you wondering what happened overnight? In Episode 9 of All About Life, we dive into the hidden lifestyle triggers that make joint pain feel so much worse, from the quality of your sleep to how active (or inactive) you’ve been.
Movement or rest: which do you choose?
When everything hurts, the overwhelming temptation is to sink into the couch, cancel your plans and stop moving entirely. But is resting actually helping, or is it self-sabotage?
In this week’s video, we break down how to handle the pain safely. I share why consistency beats punishment, and why our goal in this season of life must shift from “How many calories did I burn?” to a much more empowering standard:
Strong over skinny.
We need to focus on building the strength to carry our groceries, climb the stairs comfortably and keep doing the things we love as we get older.
Watch Episode 9 to discover
I recorded this episode to help my younger self, and to help you stop second-guessing your body. Watch the full episode on YouTube to learn:
- Simple everyday habits you can start at home to relieve mild aches and morning stiffness.
- The crucial “what not to do” list, including the biggest mistakes women make when trying to exercise through the pain.
- The clear red flags that mean it’s time to stop self-diagnosing and see a doctor.
Your body may be changing, but your best years are not behind you. We are simply learning to understand it, nourish it, and become stronger as we age.
Let’s talk about it!
Where are you feeling it the most? Is it your knees? Your shoulders? Hands and fingers? Hips or back? Or are you sitting there saying, “Doreen, it’s everywhere!”
Drop a comment below and tell me how you are experiencing this. And don’t forget to share this post with a friend who might be going through the same thing!
This article and video share general information and personal experience. They are not a substitute for advice from your doctor. If you have severe, sudden or worsening pain, swelling, redness or fever, please see a health professional.
Comments & questions
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