All About the Foot Pain Menopause Causes
As women get older, they may start to worry about disrupted sleep, hot flashes and weight gain. But did you know that foot pain in menopause is also a troubling symptom to watch for? It’s true! As your monthly cycles start to wind down, hormone-related foot pain can also become a problem. Want to stay on your feet without the discomfort? Here’s what you need to know!
Foot Pain in Menopause: Why it Happens 
As you approach menopause, estrogen levels in your body start fluctuating. And, while you may know some of the side effects those fluctuations can trigger, here’s one that’s talked about less often: foot pain.
But what does estrogen have to do with the way your feet feel? Well, when your hormone levels fluctuate, that can weaken ligaments in your feet. In turn, you may experience inflammation and achiness in your feet and ankles.
At the same time, when you enter menopause, collagen levels in your body start to drop dramatically. And that spells trouble for your feet! You see, surrounded by less collagen, critical structure in your feet lose some critical support. The result? Your tendons can tighten up, leaving you more vulnerable to pain and injury.
And don’t forget that menopause can take a toll on your bone health. You may already know that this increases your risk for osteoporosis. Well, at the same time, it can increase your risk for painful stress fractures in your feet.
How to Fight the Pain
While your body seems to be working against your feet at this stage of life, there are easy ways we can help counteract those effects and keep you walking comfortably. First, you can consider adding a collagen supplement to your routine, (with your doctor’s approval.) As this study suggests, doing so can improve your joint health, reduce pain and help you move with greater ease. Additionally, you can try to add collagen rich foods to your diet. Great choices include citrus fruits and leafy greens.
Want to boost your bone health and lower your risk for stress fractures? Focus on your vitamin k intake! You can start by eating lots of kale, broccoli and spinach. Or, you may need to speak to your doctor about adding a supplement to your diet.
Finally, to combat the pain of weakened ligaments and fallen arches, it’s time to turn to your podiatrists in Spring and Tomball, TX. You see, when arches fall, you’re risk for plantar fasciitis and other painful conditions quickly rises. So, to restore the support your feet need to prevent these problems? Reach out to our team to schedule an appointment. We can help you make supportive shoe choices, and also fit you for custom orthotics that will compensate for some of the lost strength and supportive structures that cause the foot pain of menopause!