Why do joints frequently become “in crisis” after menopause? A new study reveals the secret behind it 

“The legs age first when people get old,” we often say. For women, after menopause, the body seems to have entered a troubled period, with various problems coming one after another, among which joint problems are particularly prominent. Many female friends will find that their joints, which used to be flexible, have now become stiff and painful, and even affect their daily activities. What is going on? A new study published in the journal Nature Aging has revealed the secrets behind this.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Massachusetts, found that menopause-related hormonal changes, particularly a decline in estrogen and progesterone, are an important contributor to the increased risk of osteoarthritis (OA) in postmenopausal women.

Osteoarthritis, as the name suggests, is a problem with the joints. Our joints are like the bearings of a machine, covered with a layer of smooth cartilage that helps the bones move smoothly. However, as we age, this layer of cartilage gradually wears out and degenerates, just like bearing wear, causing joint pain, stiffness, and even limited movement. Menopause seems to accelerate this wear process.

This study simulated the physiological changes of female menopause through mouse experiments, and comprehensively observed the relevant changes in knee osteoarthritis from the molecular level to the overall level. The study found that the quality of cartilage decreased significantly at the beginning of menopause, which is very similar to what is observed clinically. The researchers also used a complex computational method called “network medicine” to analyze the changes in protein interactions in cartilage in osteoarthritis. The results showed that the lack of estrogen and progesterone can lead to the degradation of the extracellular matrix, the main component of cartilage, and the degeneration of chondrocytes. If these hormones are restored to pre-menopausal levels, the degeneration of cartilage can be effectively prevented.

The significance of this research lies in:

Reveals new clues to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: The study elucidates for the first time the relationship between menopausal hormone changes and osteoarthritis at the molecular level, providing a new perspective for our deeper understanding of this disease. Provides potential targets for the development of new therapies: The study found that restoring pre-menopausal hormone levels can effectively prevent cartilage degeneration, which provides important clues for the development of new therapies for osteoarthritis in postmenopausal women. The leader of the study, Dr. Fabrisia Ambrosio of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, said: “This study reveals the reason for the long-observed gender differences in the incidence of osteoarthritis. We hope that since we can prevent cartilage degeneration in the model, we can lay the foundation for seeking effective treatments for older women.”

Menopause is a natural stage in women’s lives. Although we cannot prevent it, we can better cope with the challenges it brings through scientific methods. This study provides us with new hope in the fight against osteoarthritis. I believe that in the near future, more effective treatments will emerge to help women have a healthier and better life in their later years.