Menopausal Symptom of Muscle Tension

Muscle tension is described as the feeling in which the muscles tend to be stiff or strained sometimes giving rise to frequent or continual pain. This symptom can lead to pain or cramps in any part of the body's muscles. Muscle tension is known as a menopausal symptom that occurs due to stress and anxiety when a woman who is between 45 and 55 begins to experience the effects of hormonal fluctuations. It is a common sign and a normal process taking place as a menopausal woman gets older.

As muscle tension is more likely to occur during perimenopause, hormonal fluctuations involving the ebbs and flows in the normal levels of hormones can be the main factor leading to this symptom. But, this is not the only cause. So, continue reading to know about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of muscle tension to tackle this symptom strategically.

• SymptomsNot all women in menopause will experience muscle tension with the same intensity or frequency. Further, one cannot exactly say when this symptom can strike. But, it is still easy to detect the presence of muscle tension via its following symptoms.
• Tightness in the muscles – back, shoulders, neck, and abdomen
• Muscle tenderness
• Fatigue
• Tension headache
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle pain and soreness
 
• Causes As already stated, hormonal imbalance is the most likely cause of muscle tension in women who have entered their menopause transition period. A woman’s body reacts in several ways of which the most important reaction is the ups and downs in hormonal production, primarily estrogen and progesterone, before they permanently settle down on their lowest levels.
  
  The hormones, estrogen and progesterone, have an influencing say in muscle tension. As the level of estrogen drops, the level of stress-hormone cortisol rises making it indirectly proportional. This rise leads to an increase in blood pressure and blood sugar. In addition, the high level of cortisol also tightens the muscles in the body, which can also make them fatigued. Certainly, this was not enough that even the declining level of progesterone adds to the muscle tension. As this hormone calms down the body and mind, its fluctuating levels prior to menopause obviously tend to make the muscles tense.
  
  Besides the hormonal imbalance, there are other probable causes too. Listed below are those causes.
• Stress
• Anxiety
• History of injuries
• Deskbound life
• Bad posture
• TreatmentsBefore you do anything to treat the symptom of muscle tension, it is very necessary for you to know about its treatment options so that you can attack the root of the problem without any potential and harmful side effects. For this, doctors are of the opinion that a patient must always first seek for the least risky approach, which is a rational step in the direction of treatment. So, the first approach to begin with is to bring changes in the lifestyle. These alterations are very easy to implement and involve trying simply muscle stretches and muscle-related exercises, improving diet rich in nutrients, and sleeping until seven to eight hours at night. Aren’t these changes simple to follow? And yes, they have all the potential to alleviate or remove the symptoms of muscle tension.
  
  However, these changes do not address the root cause of the problem and so; one must also look for natural remedies. In fact, it is a wise idea to combine alternative medicines (natural remedies) and lifestyle changes. The alternative medicines involve herbs stimulating hormonal production, vitamins, and supplements along with the techniques like acupuncture and massage.
  
  But, sometimes and unfortunately, if these options of muscle tension treatment do not prove to be effective; your case is severe. So, the last resort here is to turn towards drugs or surgery for relief. Herein, the first step is to consult a healthcare professional before going for any drug or surgery. The most common surgery here is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Let me tell you that this last option will only provide you with relief, but will not cure muscle tension. In addition, these drugs and surgeries have their own unkind side effects such as cancer.