“When I got frozen shoulder, I thought I had been seriously injured. I almost paid for costly medical care, but the symptom cleared up,” a woman surveyed by ThisIsMenopause said. “Later, I found out it was possible to get it during menopause. I wish I had been better prepared.”

Frozen shoulder is one of the more surprising symptoms you might experience during perimenopause, the time leading up to your last menstrual period.

This article discusses the symptoms of frozen shoulder, how this problem could be linked to perimenopause and hormone changes, and what you can do to feel better.

🗳️ Have you ever had frozen shoulder?

Yes

No

Thanks! You've successfully submitted your vote.

Sign up to view the results!

Continue with Facebook Continue with Google

Continue with Email

By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.

Already a member? Log In

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the joint capsule (connective tissue) around the shoulder thickens and tightens. These changes cause joint pain and stiffness.

Usually, frozen shoulder happens in one shoulder at a time. Some people with a history of frozen shoulder may develop it in the other shoulder within five years.

Frozen shoulder symptoms tend to appear slowly over the three stages listed below. The timeline depends on the person.

Frozen shoulder can severely impact quality of life. Frozen shoulder can have a major effect on quality of life. Daily activities, like walking the dog or preparing a meal, can become difficult. Many people experience worse pain at night. Sleep can be uncomfortable, especially when resting on the affected shoulder.

Why Does Frozen Shoulder Happen?

Doctors aren’t sure what causes frozen shoulder, but there are some known risk factors. These include:

• Age — People 40 and older are more likely to have frozen shoulder.
• Sex — Women are also more likely to have it, according to Mayo Clinic.
• Injury — People who have to keep their arm still due to an injury, like a broken arm, or recovery from surgery, are more likely to get it.
• Certain health conditions — Some conditions are linked to higher rates of frozen shoulder, like diabetes, thyroid issues, Parkinson’s disease, or certain types of heart disease.

How Are Hormonal Changes Linked to Frozen Shoulder?

Research is beginning to show connections between frozen shoulder and the hormonal changes seen throughout perimenopause and menopause.

During perimenopause, you will have a natural drop in estrogen, a hormone that helps manage the reproductive system. Estrogen also helps regulate inflammation and the health of bones and connective tissues.

Some doctors may recommend hormone therapy (also called hormone replacement therapy or menopause hormone therapy) to relieve uncomfortable symptoms. This therapy uses reproductive hormones, estrogen, and sometimes progesterone, to boost or replace existing hormone levels.

In one Duke Health study, researchers looked at about 2,000 postmenopausal women ages 45 to 60 who had shoulder pain or frozen shoulder. Women who received hormone therapy reported less shoulder pain and stiffness and were less likely to have frozen shoulder than those who did not. However, the results were not statistically significant, which means the differences could have been due to chance.

More research is needed, but this study could be the start of a bigger investigation into the connection between estrogen levels and frozen shoulder.

Are Symptoms Caused by Perimenopause or Injury?

If you’ve developed frozen shoulder during perimenopause, it can be hard to understand what caused it. Shoulder pain can have many causes, including injury, inflammation, long periods of immobility, and some other health conditions.

Because health experts don’t know why some people are more likely to get frozen shoulder, and research on the link between hormone levels and frozen shoulder is limited, the main trigger isn’t always clear.

If you’re experiencing frozen shoulder, your doctor can help you rule out certain causes and find a treatment that will help you.

How To Improve Frozen Shoulder

If you’re diagnosed with frozen shoulder, your doctor may give you a few options to control pain and keep as much motion in the shoulder joint as possible.

The first option a doctor may suggest is medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or aspirin, can help lower pain and inflammation. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend stronger pain-relief medications or steroid injections. Doctors may also recommend home remedies for discomfort, like applying heat or cold.

The second treatment option is physical therapy. Physical therapists generally help improve a joint’s range of motion and strength, then teach you exercises you can do at home. The exact treatment approach depends on the stage of frozen shoulder.

• Freezing stage — The goal is to control pain with gradual joint movement in combination with medications. You will also learn more comfortable ways to do everyday activities, like sleeping.
• Frozen stage — The goal is to slowly regain as much joint range of motion as possible.
• Thawing stage — The goal is to improve motion and make the shoulder functional again.

The final treatment option is surgery. If frozen shoulder doesn’t seem to respond to treatment after six to nine months, a doctor may recommend one of the following:

• Arthroscopic capsular release — This surgery involves making small cuts in the shoulder joint capsule to loosen the tissue.
• Manipulation under anesthesia — In this procedure, the doctor moves the joint in different directions to loosen the capsule.

Could Hormone Therapy Help?

Although the Duke Health study suggests hormone therapy may be associated with lower odds of frozen shoulder, more research is needed to confirm the link and understand why.

Treatment guidelines for frozen shoulder usually recommend treating any underlying medical condition that may contribute to pain and stiffness, such as diabetes. This can reduce the severity of symptoms and how long they last.

However, the treatment approach for women in perimenopause isn’t clear. Your healthcare team can evaluate both your perimenopause symptoms and your shoulder pain to find the best plan for you.

Talk To Your Healthcare Team

If you’re concerned about your risk of frozen shoulder — or other conditions common in perimenopause — talk to your doctor. They can give advice tailored to you, taking into account overlapping medical conditions and any risk factors you may have.

“I’m experiencing many symptoms that have caused me to feel stressed,” a woman surveyed by ThisIsMenopause shared. “I have brain fog, hot flashes, mood swings, and frozen shoulder. It’s been extremely emotional, exhausting, and painful.”

Your doctor can also provide resources to help cope with physical and emotional symptoms that can arise in perimenopause.