Joint pain is one of the most severe complaints in women undergoing the menopause, with an estimated 71% of perimenopausal women experiencing musculoskeletal pain[i]. Yet, it is commonly mistaken as an inevitable part of the ‘ageing’ process.
Perimenopause is the transitional time which ends in the menopause, where a natural decline in oestrogen levels can cause a reduction in collagen, loss of cartilage and an increase in inflammation. As a result, lots of women begin to notice joint pain, which is often anecdotally one of the first symptoms perceived.
Women’s health advocate, author and founder of advice and support network, MenoHealth, Julie Robinson comments:
“Perimenopause begins about 8 to 10 years before the menopause, with women starting to experience symptoms in their early 40s. During this time, women often overlook aching or painful joints as a natural sign of ageing, but it’s important to understand the impact that hormonal changes can have when approaching the menopause. Oestrogen is a primary female hormone that contributes to the protection and elasticity of joint tissues and cartilage. Low levels of this hormone during the perimenopause can ‘dry out’ your joints and prevent them from being nourished and ‘youthful’.”
Discussing frequent signs of perimenopausal joint pain, Julie adds: “Joint pain, muscle aches, and stiffness are extremely common symptoms, yet only 25% of women over the age of 45 years present to their GP with joint pain. [ii] The menopause is associated with the onset and progression of osteoarthritis in women and whilst not all joint pain is a form of arthritis, it’s important to get checked out.”
Fortunately, there are treatments available to help sufferers manage joint symptoms safely and effectively. Experts believe that a key ingredient derived from rose-hip (Rosa canina) could help to reduce pain and tenderness in joints, without the risk of side effects.
Julie suggests: “You can manage your perimenopause symptoms in a number of ways, but one of the most effective is to implement measures which target specific symptoms directly. If joint pain is a key area of concern, try a clinically backed supplement with well researched compounds such as the galactolipid, GOPO®. One study showed that women of a menopausal age reported a 50% improvement in their mobility and reduction in pain following three months of the daily supplementation of the galactolipid, GOPO®.[iii]”
Extensive studies involving over 400 patients with chronic pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, have shown that GOPO® produces significant and consistent pain relief and improved joint function. In one study, 8 out of 10 patients reported a significant reduction in pain after just 3 weeks of GOPO®[iv]
Beauty and lifestyle influencer, @charlotte dillon (50), struggled with joint pain when she went through perimenopause.
“When I hit my late 40s, I noticed an increase in joint pain. I put my exacerbated symptoms down to the perimenopause as I knew this was common due to the natural reduction in oestrogen leading up to the menopause. Because of this, I found going out in cold temperatures really took its toll on the stiffness felt in my fingers. I knew I had to try and improve my symptoms so I decided to try natural rose-hip supplement, GOPO Joint Health, to see if it would make a difference.
I took GOPO over the winter months when the pain is typically at its worst and was really pleased with my results! In fact, I experienced a complete lack of joint pain during the cold weather season. I was even able to go out and enjoy the sprinkling of snow we got to the delight of my dachshund, Spike.
I’m so pleased with my results and would really recommend GOPO to anyone struggling with joint pain, whether that be menopause-related or as a result of a joint health condition. Since raving about the supplement, I’ve even heard from other people sharing their own positive reviews and experiences of GOPO which shows what a great product it really is!”
GOPO® Joint Health is available from Boots, Amazon, Holland & Barrett and independent chemists and retailers nationwide. Visit www.gopo.co.uk for further information.
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References
[i] Lu CB, Liu PF, Zhou YS, Meng FC, Qiao TY, Yang XJ, Li XY, Xue Q, Xu H, Liu Y, Han Y, Zhang Y. Musculoskeletal Pain during the Menopausal Transition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Neural Plast. 2020 Nov 25;2020:8842110. doi: 10.1155/2020/8842110. PMID: 33299396; PMCID: PMC7710408.
[ii] London Osteoporosis Clinic. Arthritis, Menopause and Hormonal Changes. 2018. https://www.londonosteoporosisclinic.com/arthritis-menopause-and-hormonal-changes/
[iii] Winther K and Kharazmi A. A herbal remedy reduces joint pain, stiffness and the consumption of paracetamol in middle-aged women. Abstract presented at the 10th World Congress on the Menopause; 10–14 June 2002; Berlin, Germany. Available at: www.medref.se/litozin/world_10_2002.pdf (Accessed: March 2023).
[iv] Winther, K et al. “A powder made from seeds and shells of a rose-hip subspecies (Rosa canina) reduces symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Scandinavian journal of rheumatology vol. 34,4 (2005)
[v] Rein E, Kharazmi A, Winther K. A herbal remedy, Hyben Vital (stand. Powder of a subspecies of Rosa canina fruits), reduces pain and improves general wellbeing in patients with OA – a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Phytomedicine 2004
[vi] Christensen R et al. Does the hip powder of Rose canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? – a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, Osteoarthritis Cartilage (2008)
[vii] Schwager J, Richard N, Wolfram S. Anti-inflammatory and chondro-protective effects of rosehip powder and its constituent galactolipids GOPO Poster presentation at the World Congress of Osteoarthritis (OARSI) 2008
Image source: Pixabay