Menopausal Pain
About Menopausal Pain
When women enter a peri-menopausal period, the chances of getting other forms of pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, back pain or migraine increase. This is known as Menopausal Pain Syndrome. Apart from physical pain, studies have shown that menopause can also lead to emotional changes such as depressive symptoms and cognitive difficulties such as forgetfulness and declining memory.
What Causes Menopausal Pain
Menopausal pains are thought to be caused by hormonal changes. The relationship between estrogen and other female hormones has complex interactions with pain sensitivity, this can result in chronic pains or a sudden onset of symptoms that were previously non-existent. This hypersensitivity of the nerves will present as a painful state in an uninjured or non-diseased condition. These sensitized nerves can cause the surrounding muscles to go into spasm due to increased muscle tension and muscle tone, causing painful muscles (myalgia and body aches), tendinitis and ligament instability.
Symptoms Of Menopausal Pain
Pain
Sleep Disruption
Other Symptoms
A Message About Menopausal Pain
Menopausal Pain Syndrome is not easy to identify. Many painful conditions are related to injury or degenerative wear and tear. Doctors approach pain from a reductionistic approach, attempting to identify the root cause of pain and reverse the pain by removal of the pain generator. The pain experienced by a menopausal woman may be due to wear and tear of degenerative spine or knee conditions or conversely it may be due to Menopausal Pain Syndrome.
It needs an experienced medical practitioner to be able to differentiate mechanical degenerative painful conditions from functional nerve hypersensitivity pain syndrome. The treatment considered would be very polarized at opposite ends of the spectrum. In degenerative conditions, one may need to protect and avoid certain precipitating situations or even surgery to remove the cause of pain. This is as opposed to Menopausal Pain Syndrome, where treatment is targeted at the muscles and sensitized nerves. If an inaccurate diagnosis was made, the patient may continue to be plagued by pain and distress.
Diagnosing Menopausal Pain
Here at Singapore Paincare, our team of experienced primary care and specialist pain care doctors will conduct a thorough diagnosis. This includes a physical exam, questions about your symptoms and an evaluation of your medical history. A CT or MRI scan may be needed to evaluate or confirm the cause of the pain and match the results to your pain report.
What Treatments Are Available for Menopausal Pain?
In many instances, non-surgical treatment methods can provide excellent outcomes. At Singapore Paincare, we strive to treat your pain with the least invasive option possible after accurately identifying the cause. Our pain resolution approach focuses on removing pain generators via specialised injection and minimally invasive procedures. Combined with pharmacological treatments, cognitive and physical rehabilitative therapies. We help patients to improve their functions and prevent pain from recurring.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Menopausal Pain
Analgesic or Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs drugs
Coreflex Injections
Hormone Therapy
Pharmacotherapy
Myospan Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Surgical Treatment for Menopausal Pain
There is no surgical treatment for menopausal pain.
How Can I Prevent Menopausal Pain?
Many women will experience some type of menopausal pain, but these symptoms can be lessened by:
- Having a healthy diet and reducing the consumption of spicy foods and caffeine
- Regular Exercises – a certain threshold of exercise must be achieved before the full benefits can be perceived
- Quit smoking
- Avoiding triggers of hot flushes
- Joining support groups who are also going through menopause
Get Your Pain Resolved
Send your enquiries or consult our pain experts today.