Study Links Menopause to Increased Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
A study published in Musculoskeletal Care suggests that menopause exacerbates rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, with four out of five women reporting worsened conditions during this period. The research, involving 779 women, also found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was largely ineffective in alleviating pain. Despite the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis, affecting over half a million people in the UK, nearly 93% of women had not discussed menopause with their doctors, highlighting a need for better training among arthritis specialists. The decline in oestrogen levels during menopause is believed to worsen symptoms.
