If you have fibromyalgia, you may notice that your symptoms change or get worse during the transition to menopause.

In this article, we’ll cover how menopause and fibromyalgia are related and what symptoms to expect. We’ll also discuss effective treatment options to help you start feeling better.

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How Menopause and Fibromyalgia Symptoms Overlap

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that causes a group of symptoms, including all-over aches and pains, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. The most common symptom is widespread pain throughout the body. People with fibromyalgia often experience muscle soreness, aching, throbbing, or burning.

Drops in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in perimenopause can cause symptoms that overlap with fibromyalgia.

A member of ThisIsMenopause said, “Perimenopause, fibromyalgia, worsening mental health symptoms, rage, body aches … it’s all so confusing!”

Here are some symptoms that can be related to both fibromyalgia and menopause:

• Widespread muscle and bone pain
• Aching joints
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbance
• Brain fog
• Mood changes
• Headaches
• Stiffness

Sleep Problems

Fibromyalgia and menopause commonly cause sleep problems. A lack of quality sleep can make chronic pain worse.

People with fibromyalgia often have trouble sleeping. They may report difficulty falling asleep and frequent nighttime awakenings.

Sleep problems are common during menopause. Changing hormone levels can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

Many women wake up at night with hot flashes or night sweats. Menopause can also cause urinary changes that affect sleep. It’s common to wake up to use the bathroom throughout the night. These symptoms can all be related to falling levels of the hormone estrogen.

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia often have fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep or rest.

The sleep problems associated with menopause can also cause you to feel very tired during the day. Menopause fatigue is common and can be linked to sleep problems, mood changes, or other stressors. A member of ThisIsMenopause said, “I’m just literally exhausted from being tired.”

Mood Changes

It’s common to experience changes in your mood with both fibromyalgia and menopause. Fibromyalgia and menopause may raise the risk of depression and anxiety.

Many people have mood changes during menopause, including irritability and crying. These mood changes may also be related to a lack of sleep or stress.

Going through menopause may also raise the risk of depression and anxiety. Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your mood.

Brain Fog

Both fibromyalgia and menopause can make you feel like you’re in a fog. Fibromyalgia may cause problems with thinking and memory. These changes are often referred to as “fibro fog.”

It’s also possible to experience brain fog from menopause. You may notice you’re more forgetful or can’t focus for long periods of time. About two-thirds of women in menopause report changes in their memory or thinking.

How Hormonal Changes May Affect Fibromyalgia

The hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause may affect fibromyalgia symptoms. Hormonal changes can trigger a flare in symptoms, including pain and sleep problems. Emotional stress can also make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.

A 2019 review found that many women with fibromyalgia experience worsening symptoms when they start the transition to menopause (perimenopause). It’s also possible to develop symptoms of fibromyalgia for the first time during menopause.

Healthcare providers believe that fibromyalgia may be caused by a change in how the brain processes pain signals. When the brain interprets everyday stimuli, such as temperature changes or bright lights, as painful, a person can experience severe pain much of the time.

Lower hormone levels may affect pain processing in the brain. As the ovaries begin making less estrogen and progesterone, the brain may perceive more pain, and fibromyalgia symptoms may feel worse.

Research shows that changing (fluctuating) estrogen levels may lower your pain threshold, causing you to feel more pain than you used to.

Both fibromyalgia and menopause can cause disrupted sleep. When you can’t sleep, your pain may feel worse. Experiencing an increase in pain can make falling asleep harder, causing a frustrating cycle each night. This can also increase the risk of depression.

Managing Fibromyalgia During and After Menopause

There are treatments proven to improve both fibromyalgia and menopause symptoms. Treatment for fibromyalgia and menopause can include medications, lifestyle interventions, and talk therapy.

Below are some common ways of managing menopause symptoms.

Menopause Hormone Therapy

Menopause hormone therapy (MHT), also called hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is a common treatment for menopause symptoms. It involves taking hormones, such as estrogen or progesterone, to increase your levels and ease symptoms. Hormone therapy can be systemic (such as a patch or pill) or local (vaginal estrogen).

Hormone therapy can have many benefits, including reducing symptoms like hot flashes and body aches, and improving sleep quality. There may be long-term health impacts of hormone therapy, such as reducing bone density loss and lowering heart disease risk.

Does Hormone Therapy Improve Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

While hormone therapy is very effective for menopause symptoms, it doesn’t seem to have an impact on fibromyalgia symptoms, though research is limited.

In a study of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia, two-thirds of those taking hormone therapy reported no improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms. The other third was unsure whether the treatment improved their fibromyalgia symptoms.

Nonhormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms

Not everyone is a candidate for menopause hormone therapy, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you. There are many nonhormonal options available that may be more effective and a better fit for you.

Nonhormonal menopause treatments include:

• Nonhormonal medications for hot flashes — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications specifically for vasomotor symptoms of menopause.
• Antidepressants — Certain antidepressants are effective at reducing hot flashes due to menopause. Antidepressants are also used to treat fibromyalgia in some cases, though the exact choice of drug doesn’t always overlap.
• Anti-seizure drugs — Medications like gabapentin and pregabalin are used for both menopause and fibromyalgia.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy — This form of therapy has been shown to help reduce menopause symptoms like hot flashes as well as improve sleep problems in fibromyalgia.

Lifestyle Changes

There are several steps that you can take to support your health and improve your symptoms without medication. These steps can help with menopause, fibromyalgia, and your overall well-being.

Helpful lifestyle habits include:

• Daily exercise — Physical activity can boost energy levels during the day and make it easier to fall asleep at night. Exercise can also improve memory and brain fog.
• Sleep hygiene — To promote quality sleep, keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Try to limit screen time before bed.
• Nutritious diet — Focus on eating a nutrient-dense diet to improve energy levels. Limit alcohol to help reduce hot flashes and mood changes.
• Healthy weight — Having a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obesity range may raise the risk of fibromyalgia and worsen menopause symptoms.
• Social connections — Maintaining relationships with family and friends can improve your mood and memory. Joining a support group may also be helpful.
• Stress management — Find ways to reduce stress, such as relaxation exercises, yoga, reading, or hobbies.
• Memory games — Mental activities like crossword puzzles or learning a new skill can help keep your brain active.

When To Talk to Your Doctor

Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing new or unexplained symptoms. It’s important to seek care for both fibromyalgia and menopause because these conditions may require different treatments.

Call your healthcare provider if you have worsening fibromyalgia symptoms, such as:

• Uncontrolled pain
• Insomnia
• Depression

See your healthcare provider if your sleep has gotten worse. Disturbed sleep can make symptoms of both conditions worse, creating a cycle of pain and trouble sleeping.

Both fibromyalgia and menopause symptoms are treatable, so don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.