Menopause, that inevitable change of life that affects all women as mid-life decreases in estrogen contribute to myriad physiological changes that can affect the cardiovascular, genitourinary, and vascular systems, as well as impact the skin, bones, and mental well-being. Common physiological-related symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain, vaginal dryness, painful sex, and pelvic dysfunction, while psychosocial symptoms can include depression, anxiety, and poor body image.
Add to all these symptoms the likelihood of enhanced chronic pain, as medical researchers have recently linked menopause with the likelihood of exacerbated pain levels in a variety of chronic pain conditions, including back pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. A
study of the records of more than 200,000 women veterans determined that women with menopause symptoms were nearly twice as likely to also be experiencing chronic pain and to have multiple chronic pain diagnoses.