Yes, hormonal changes, particularly declining estrogen levels, can indeed contribute to knee pain.
Here's a breakdown of how hormones can affect your knees:
The Role of Estrogen
- Estrogen and Joint Health: Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining joint health. It has estrogen receptors within the joints themselves.
- Protective Effects: Estrogen helps protect bones and keeps inflammation in the joints at bay.
Hormonal Changes and Knee Pain
- Menopause and Perimenopause: During perimenopause (the transition period leading up to menopause) and menopause, estrogen levels decline significantly.
- Increased Inflammation: This decline in estrogen can lead to increased inflammation in the joints.
- Swelling and Pain: As a result, the joints, including the knees, can swell and become painful.
In summary, hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decrease in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause, can directly impact knee pain by increasing joint inflammation.
