12/09/2025
Menopause & Musculoskeletal Health: 5 Ways Physiotherapy Can Help
Menopause is a natural life transition, but the hormonal changes it brings can significantly impact the body — far beyond hot flushes or mood swings. For many women, it’s a time of physical and emotional shifts that can affect daily life, long-term health, and independence. Fortunately, physiotherapy plays a vital role in supporting women through this stage and beyond.
🟣 1. Accelerated Muscle Loss
Oestrogen decline during menopause accelerates the loss of muscle mass, leading to reduced strength, slower metabolism, and increased fat accumulation. Women can lose up to 1–1.5% of muscle per year during this phase. Progressive resistance training, guided by physiotherapists, can help maintain lean mass, improve function, and reduce the risk of frailty and falls.
🟣 2. Increased Fracture Risk
Bone loss speeds up after menopause, with women losing up to 20% of their bone mineral density within 5–7 years. This increases the risk of fractures, particularly in the spine, hip and wrist. Physiotherapy-led programs focusing on resistance and weight-bearing exercises can help slow this bone loss, while education around posture, fall prevention, and home safety can further reduce risk.
🟣 3. Joint, Tendon & Ligament Changes
Lower oestrogen levels affect collagen production, leading to stiffer joints, weaker tendons and reduced tissue healing. This can increase the risk of injuries like tendinopathies and joint instability. Physiotherapists can help manage pain and prevent injury through tailored programs that focus on strength, flexibility and joint stability.
🟣 4. Genitourinary Symptoms
More than half of postmenopausal women experience symptoms like urinary urgency, incontinence, recurrent UTIs, and pelvic organ prolapse due to reduced pelvic floor function. Pelvic physiotherapy offers effective interventions like pelvic floor muscle training, bladder retraining, and lifestyle advice to restore confidence and improve quality of life.
🟣 5. Mental Health & Cognitive Changes
Menopause can also impact emotional wellbeing, with many women experiencing anxiety, low mood, fatigue, and cognitive issues such as “brain fog.” These symptoms can interfere with motivation, exercise adherence and overall wellbeing. Physiotherapists are well-placed to support mental health through movement, routine, and empowerment — with exercise shown to improve both mood and cognitive function.
💡 The takeaway?
Menopause doesn’t have to mean decline. With early intervention, targeted movement strategies, and support from physiotherapists, women can maintain strength, mobility, independence and confidence through midlife and beyond. Let's normalise the conversation and prioritise proactive care.
