New study establishes terminology for 'musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause'
80% of women post-menopause will experience life-altering symptoms from musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause
Half the world's population will experience menopause accounting for 47 million women entering the menopause transition annually.
And a staggering 71% of women in perimenopause and 80% post-menopause will experience symptoms of the little known ‘Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause’ - which includes total body pain, loss of bone density and frozen shoulder.
Now a landmark study has officially established the nomenclature for the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM), thanks to the pioneering research of Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic sports surgeon, researcher, longevity doctor and Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine (UCF SOM).
Dr Wright said:
"Clearly, this is an issue that many women experience but is not adequately acknowledged or addressed within the medical establishment.
"This research offers a new understanding, hope and nomenclature for clinicians and for women suffering from these symptoms."
Coining the term
Dr. Wright coined the term "Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause" (MSM) after observing numerous post-menopausal women suffering from orthopedic issues, such as frozen shoulder.
Her extensive research has unveiled that a staggering 80% of post-menopausal women endure life-altering musculoskeletal symptoms, with 25% of these women being severely debilitated by them. Despite the prevalence, these symptoms often go unrecognised or misdiagnosed by healthcare providers, leaving many women to suffer in silence.
The syndrome encompasses a range of debilitating symptoms, including:
Arthralgia (total body pain)
Inflammation (e.g., frozen shoulder)
Loss of muscle mass
Loss of bone density - including osteoporosis
Fat redistribution
Rapid increase in arthritis
The study highlights the rapid loss of estrogen during perimenopause and menopause as the root cause of MSM. Alarmingly, 40% of women seeking medical care for these symptoms find no structural problems, leading to feelings of being dismissed or misunderstood by clinicians.
Dr. Wright's research underscores the urgency of acknowledging MSM in the medical community. Not only is MSM treatable, but it is also preventable through early intervention, lifestyle modifications, and comprehensive knowledge. Without proper treatment, MSM significantly contributes to frailty and increased mortality in women.
As the article in Climacteric explains:
“Physicians should embrace this terminology as a means of expressing understanding to patients, instilling agency that may increase patient satisfaction and offering appropriate active treatment to give more comprehensive care. More broadly, recognition of this terminology is important to stimulate research interest.”
The publication of this groundbreaking study coincides with an article in Menopause, which investigates young women with premature menopause experiencing similar symptoms. This further establishes that these musculoskeletal changes are directly linked to hormonal deprivation rather than age.