Staff 
December 24, 2021Menopause is by definition the last natural menstrual period and on average happens at an age of 51 years, but it commonly ranges from 45-55yrs. There are many physiological and psychological changes that accompany that. Some of those changes can increase the risk of the development of pain in the foot. This was confirmed in a study of 106 Spanish women that were aged 45-55 years and used a tool called the Foot Health Status Questionnaire and demonstrated a statistical difference in the amount of foot pain between menopausal and non-menopausal women.
Many of the changes that affect the foot are due to the declining estrogen levels that occur during menopause leading to an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury with bone and muscle wasting. The tendons become stiffer and are more prone to injury. All of that can lead to an increased problem with balance and an increased risk for falls. Osteoporosis is more common in post-menopausal women and this increases the risk for stress fracture and fractures in the foot. There is also a significant increase in weight gain following menopause and this will lead to increased loads on foot, increasing the risk for a whole range of foot and ankle problems.
Menopause, per se, does not cause foot pain. What does happen during and after menopause is that a number of the physiological changes that occur increase the risk for the development of a range of both common and uncommon foot problems.