Joint and Muscle Pain
Do you recognize this?
You get up stiffer in the morning than you used to. Climbing stairs suddenly hurts your knees more. You notice you have less strength during exercise than a few years ago. These symptoms are often attributed to simply getting older, while there's actually a clear hormonal component behind them.
Many women recognize:
- Joint pain and stiffness, especially in the morning
- Muscle pain without a clear cause
- Reduced muscle strength and endurance
- Slower recovery after exercise
These symptoms are real and deserve attention, even though they aren't always recognized as menopause-related in regular healthcare.
Why does this happen?
Estrogen plays a protective role in bone metabolism. In the first five years after menopause, a woman can lose 10 to 20% of her bone mass, and one in three women develops osteoporosis after menopause.
The decline in estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA also contributes to accelerated loss of muscle mass. That process slows your resting metabolism and increases the risk of falls and fractures.
There's often something else at play that gets overlooked: chronic low-grade inflammation. This is a smoldering form of inflammatory activity that isn't acute enough to show up in routine blood testing, but does underlie persistent joint and muscle pain. A disrupted microbiome and a weakened gut wall are behind this more often than you'd think.
What can you do yourself?
These adjustments can really make a difference:
- Strength training, once or twice a week. This is the most effective lifestyle intervention against muscle and bone loss.
- Enough protein, 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, is essential for maintaining muscle.
- Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D, both essential for bone health.
- Keep moving, even with pain. Complete rest actually weakens muscles and joints further; in consultation, a physiotherapist can help you find the right balance.
How Menovia addresses this
At Menovia, we look at the full picture for joint and muscle symptoms, not just hormones. During the intake, a BIG-registered doctor discusses your symptoms and lifestyle. Through blood testing we map out your hormone levels, and depending on your package, also inflammation markers and your vitamin status, both of which affect joint and muscle pain.
Based on that, the doctor draws up a personal treatment plan, often combining bio-identical hormones with targeted lifestyle advice around strength training and nutrition. Every 12 weeks we evaluate and adjust based on blood values and how you're feeling.
You can get started quickly: no waiting list, and the 10-minute introductory call is free.
This is what the treatment process looks like
Online Screening
Leave your details and schedule an intake. Through a digital questionnaire, we'll check whether you're eligible for a free introductory call (10 min) or intake (45 min). When scheduling, you pay a deposit of €150, which is deducted from the intake costs of your package.
Intake
You will discuss our program with one of our specialized doctors and decide whether to participate.
Blood & DNA research
You will receive the tests at home for a smooth process. Blood tests are done at a location near you.
Personal Treatment Plan
Based on your research results, the doctor will create a personal treatment plan, usually consisting of bioidentical hormone supplementation and, if necessary, supplements.
Start Traject
Het traject duurt minimaal 6 maanden om er zeker van te zijn dat we je goed begeleiden.
Monitoring
During your treatment, you will be in regular contact with our expert team. Blood tests are done every 12 weeks for adjustments.
Evaluation
At the end of your treatment, we will determine your next steps together. This may include a referral back to the doctor or further guidance with Menovia.
Persoonlijke zorg, op maat samengesteld
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Hormonal joint pain can resemble arthritis but has a different cause. The doctor can help make this distinction during the intake.
For many women, bio-identical hormones contribute to fewer joint and muscle symptoms. Whether this fits your situation is assessed by the doctor during the intake.
Not necessarily. Complete rest often weakens muscles and joints further. Adapted, regular movement is usually better than stopping altogether.
Since May 2026, part of the consultations are reimbursed through supplementary insurance, depending on your insurer and policy.
Want to know more?
Go to our frequently asked questions
Experiences from other women
Start with personal hormonal guidance
Want to find out whether hormone therapy is right for you and what your body needs during menopause? Schedule an intake consultation with Menovia.
