March 8th marked International Women’s Day. As a certified menopause practitioner, I have the privilege to work with many women in helping them navigate times of hormonal change. In my role as a pharmacist specializing in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, I see these two specialty fields overlap.
At the time of menopause, estrogen levels plummet, which can cause an increase in inflammation. A surge in joint and muscle pain and stiffness is now referred to as the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. This can result in an increase in flares for women with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, but it can also be a time of new diagnoses. We also see an increase in dryness as women transition to menopause, which can be even more difficult for women with conditions like Sjogren’s. Falling estrogen also impacts blood vessels, leading to greater cardiovascular disease as women age. High inflammation in blood vessels can also increase this risk for women with many immune- mediated inflammatory diseases. Fracture risk also increases after menopause, and it is known that when rheumatoid arthritis is poorly controlled, osteoporosis risk is greater.
With all of this in mind, a proper understanding of these risks is important, and connecting with your health professional to manage changes as hormones fall is key.
Carolyn Whiskin is the Pharmacy Manager for Charlton Health. Carolyn specializes in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, pharmaceutical compounding, women’s health, pain, and smoking cessation. Carolyn has won provincial and national awards for her commitment to patient care and public service.