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Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Menopausal joint pain: How to cope in the colder months

Caption: Menopausal joint pain: How to cope in the colder months. Joint pain is a common symptom of the menopause and can often get worse as the temperature drops. Many menopausal women experience joint pain due to a drop in oestrogen, which increases inflammation. Cold weather can also exacerbate joint pain for a number of reasons, including reduced blood flow and reduced activity. Dr Thom Phillips, Clinical Lead at Forth, which provides home blood tests, shares his top tips for managing menopausal joint pain. Low impact exercise Although it may be the last thing you want to do, gentle exercises such as walking or swimming can help relieve and prevent pain. "When joints ache, you're more likely to avoid movement. But in most cases, being active can actually help you feel better. Regular weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, or weightlifting, help stimulate bone growth and maintain bone density." The expert states. Dr Phillips also notes that avoiding exercise leads to weaker bones that are "more prone to fractures”. Calcium, vitamin D and omega-3s A diet rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to keep your body strong, especially when you are going through hormonal changes. "To keep your joints and bones healthy, make sure you're getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. This can help relieve other menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes and low mood." He advises. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods, while vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight exposure and foods like fatty fish and eggs. Stay warm The cold weather can cause tighter muscles and stiffer joints so it's important to keep the body warm. "Layering up, using heating pads, or taking warm baths can help soothe achy joints," the GP says, adding that "staying active indoors" during the colder months can prevent stiffness from getting worse. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) Finally, you could talk to your doctor about HRT, a treatment that helps with menopause symptoms by replacing the hormones that decline during this time. "Hormone treatment may help reduce joint pain during perimenopause and menopause. There are many different types of HRT available so it's important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine if HRT is right for you." Dr Phillips explains. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT

Keywords: Health & Wellbeing,Joint,Pain,Cope,Colder,Months,Drop,Oestrogen,Increases,Inflammation,Cold,Tips,Advice,Lifestyle,Fitness,Wellbeing,Health,Elderly,Women,Senior,Joints,Bones,Menopause

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