Arthritis is no longer a condition of only elderly. A doctor explains how hormonal changes in a woman’s life, from teenagers to menopause, can impact joint health and inflammation and increase the risk of arthritis focusing on earlier detection and taking proactive steps.
Arthritis is frequently associated with aging, but for women, hormones and their changing levels of oestrogen can greatly influence joint health in every phase of life. From puberty, through pregnancy and into menopause, the ebb and flow of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones have the potential to affect inflammation, cartilage health and overall joint function.
These hormonal changes can cause or exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis, says Dr. Ashwani Maichand, Director - Dept of Orthopaedics at the CK Birla Hospital®, Delhi. For example, reduced estrogen production following menopause can speed up cartilage breakdown and increase the risk of osteoarthritis. The effects of changes in joint laxity induced by pregnancy (in response to relaxing hormone) and growth on long-term joint health are also discussed.
Knowledge of these hormonal effects is essential for early identification and management. Lifestyle habits including regular physical activity, normalizing body weight and a diet rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients can reduce the likelihood. On World Arthritis Day, knowledge of the complex relationship between hormones and arthritis helps women be proactive by addressing symptoms in time to preserve mobility and quality of life long-term.
Below are a few of the ways in which the different phases of a woman's life can be implicated in the risk and severity of arthritis.
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1. Joint and hormonal changes:
Estrogen, the main female hormone, keeps inflammation under control and cartilage healthy. When estrogen drops, as it does naturally in some menstrual cycles or perimenopause, the majority of women experience stiffness or pain in joints. Low estrogen promotes joint inflammation, and the more of those inflammations and the bigger they are, the more likely their future occurrence of arthritis.
2. Pregnancy and joint changes:
During pregnancy, the relaxin hormone loosens the ligaments to prepare the body for delivery. Even though the process is natural, it also causes temporary looseness of joints, especially of the pelvis, hips, and knees. Water retention and pregnancy weight load the joints and, if not dealt with, can cause or worsen subsequent joint pain.
3. Postpartum and inflammatory triggers:
Following delivery, hormonal equilibrium shifts suddenly at times, which can cause autoimmune illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in females with a family history of such illnesses. Lack of rest and nutrition, and inflammation during the postpartum period, could be the cause of joint pain or flare during early motherhood.
4. Menopause and estrogen loss:
After menopause, the level of estrogen drops significantly, lowering the defense shield that the hormone provides to bone and cartilage. This puts women at risk for osteoarthritis, especially in the spine, hands, and knees. In most women, stiffness and swelling take place in the joints during this period.
5. Maintaining the health of joints:
Exercise daily with low-impact activity like swimming or yoga
Exercise healthy weight so joints won't be strained
Have a well-balanced diet that includes omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamin D
Have regular joint check-ups, especially after childbearing or menopause
By knowing how hormones keep joints healthy, women can act in time to avert or manage arthritis, and glide smoothly for life.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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