Healthy Living
5 Key Changes in Heart and Joint Health During Menopause
Menopause marks a major transition in a woman’s life and with it often comes a range of unexpected changes to the body. While hot flashes and mood shifts are widely recognized, fewer people realize how deeply menopause can affect heart and joint health.
Talk with your doctor as you begin signs of menopause to understand, manage the effects and anticipate the changes ahead.
Behind the scenes, declining estrogen levels set off changes that may make the heart more vulnerable and joints more prone to pain and stiffness. Understanding these effects is an important step in helping women protect their well-being and navigate this phase with greater confidence and care.
- Estrogen Decline Increases Cardiovascular Risk
Lower estrogen may raise bad cholesterol and blood pressure, increasing heart disease risk.

- Loss of Estrogen Reduces Vascular Flexibility
Blood vessels become stiffer and more inflamed, raising cardiovascular concerns

- Menopause is Linked to Increased Joint Pain
Hormonal changes, not just aging, trigger joint stiffness and discomfort.

- Menopause Accelerates Collagen Loss
Collagen decline weakens cartilage and connective tissues.

- Estrogen Loss Weakens Tendons and Ligaments
Less collagen cross-linking leads to joint instability and higher injury risk.

Estrogen Decline Increases Cardiovascular Risk
During menopause, the body experiences a natural drop in estrogen levels. Estrogen helps regulate cholesterol and supports blood vessel flexibility. As estrogen declines:
- LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) may increase.
- HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) may decrease.
- Blood pressure may rise.
- Blood vessels can become stiffer.
These changes may place more strain on the heart and blood vessels, contributing to a higher risk of heart disease.
Loss of Estrogen Reduces Vascular Flexibility
Estrogen plays a role in helping blood vessels stay flexible and healthy. When estrogen levels fall during menopause, blood vessels may become less elastic. This change may contribute to increased stiffness in the arteries and contribute to inflammation. Over time, these shifts may raise the risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries narrow and harden, affecting overall cardiovascular health.
Menopause Is Linked to Increased Joint Pain
Many women notice new joint stiffness or discomfort as they move through menopause, even if they have never had arthritis before. Research suggests that these joint changes are related to hormonal shifts, especially the decline in estrogen, rather than aging alone. Although the exact cause is still being studied, some experts believe lower estrogen levels may affect joint tissues and the fluid that keeps joints lubricated, contributing to the aches and stiffness many women experience.
Menopause Accelerates Collagen Loss
Collagen is an important protein that helps maintain the strength and flexibility of cartilage, joints, and other connective tissues. Although collagen naturally decreases with age, menopause seems to speed up this process. Lower estrogen levels during menopause are thought to contribute to faster collagen decline. As collagen levels drop, the structure that supports joints may weaken. This may lead to greater stiffness and discomfort over time.
Estrogen Loss Weakens Tendons and Ligaments
When estrogen levels fall during menopause, the collagen in tendons and ligaments may lose some of its structure. This can make connective tissues more lax and less able to support the joints properly. As a result, joints can become less stable, and the risk of injuries like ligament strains or tears may increase.
Life Shouldn’t Pause for Menopause
Menopause brings many changes, but it doesn’t have to mean discomfort or loss of strength. Understanding how hormonal shifts affect the body is an important step toward feeling your best during this time. Partner with your healthcare provider to take proactive steps toward managing these changes. Depending on your unique circumstances, they may recommend strategies that help preserve joint strength, protect heart health, and keep you moving with confidence.