Achy Joints? Perimenopause Might Be Part Of The Story

We all know about the hot flushes. But what about the achy knees, the restless nights or those days when you just don't feel quite like yourself? If you're in your 40s and have noticed a few unexpected changes, perimenopause is worth putting on the list – and it doesn't always look the way we've been led to expect.

In fact, when researchers analysed 321 studies involving more than 482,000 midlife women in 2024, joint and muscle aches topped the list of reported menopausal symptoms, affecting around 65 per cent of women.[1]

It's not all about hot flushes

While hot flushes are often considered the hallmark of menopause, they're only one part of a much bigger picture.

In that same research review, around half of women reported sleep problems, while hot flushes affected approximately half of women in high-income countries like Australia. Vaginal dryness was also more common after menopause, affecting 45 per cent of women compared with 21 per cent before menopause.[1]

Of course, every woman's experience is different. Some sail through this stage with relatively few disruptions, while others find that symptoms have a significant impact on their everyday lives.

According to the 2023 National Women's Health Survey by Jean Hailes for Women's Health, around one in four Australian women aged 45 to 64 said symptoms they attributed to menopause had made everyday activities difficult over the previous five years. Yet a similar proportion reported no substantial impact at all.[2] The takeaway? There's no single 'normal' menopause experience.

Your mood matters, too

It's not just physical changes that deserve attention. Your emotional wellbeing is every bit as important.

Research from University College London, published in 2024, found that women in perimenopause had around 40 per cent higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms compared with women who hadn't yet reached this stage. Interestingly, the researchers didn't find the same clear increase after menopause.[3]

That doesn't mean low mood is inevitable, or that every emotional change is down to hormones. But if you've been feeling persistently flat, anxious or unlike yourself, it's worth mentioning to a health professional rather than simply pushing through – or contact Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) at any time.

Your heart health deserves a place in the conversation, too. A 2016 analysis of 32 studies involving more than 310,000 women found that menopause before the age of 45 was associated with a 50 per cent higher risk of coronary heart disease.[4]

Importantly, this research found an association, which means it can't show whether early menopause may cause heart disease. Still, it's another good reason to keep your long-term health in mind, particularly if your periods stopped earlier than expected.

Finding what works for you

When it comes to managing menopausal symptoms, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. What helps one woman may not be the best option for another.

Take cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for example. While you might associate this structured talking therapy with mental health, research suggests it can also help with menopausal symptoms.

A 2022 review of 14 randomised trials found that CBT helped ease hot flushes, night sweats, low mood and anxiety, while also improving quality of life.[5] The benefits were generally small to moderate and largely continued over time, although some diminished.

And what about natural remedies? It's an area that attracts plenty of interest, but the evidence is less clear-cut.

A 2016 review of 62 trials found that phytoestrogens – plant compounds found in foods such as soy – were associated with around 1.3 fewer hot flushes per day, along with a small improvement in vaginal dryness.[6] However, most of the trials had a high risk of bias, so the findings need to be interpreted cautiously.

It's also worth remembering that 'natural' doesn't automatically mean safe or effective. Before trying a supplement, have a chat with a qualified health professional.

Medical treatments may also be appropriate for some women, depending on their symptoms and individual health history. The important thing is understanding the potential benefits and risks so you can make an informed decision about what's right for you.

Let's talk about it

With so much information – and misinformation – swirling around menopause, knowing where to start can sometimes feel overwhelming.

That's where a good conversation with a health professional can make all the difference.

Rather than focusing on one symptom in isolation, a thorough perimenopause consultation should consider the bigger picture. That means taking the time to explore:

• Your symptoms: When they started, how they've changed and what seems to make them better or worse.
• Your changing body: From your menstrual cycle and sleep patterns to your mood and temperature changes.
• Other possible explanations: Because not everything that happens in midlife is necessarily related to menopause.
• Whether tests are needed: Understanding which investigations might be useful – and which may not be necessary.
• Your next steps: Talking through the available options in language you understand, with a clear plan for follow-up.

Most importantly, you should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing what's happening without feeling rushed or judged.

It's this kind of open, judgement-free approach that Aevum Bio Clinic aims to offer through its perimenopause and menopause consultations, introduced in October 2026.

Designed to make midlife healthcare easier to access and understand, the 45-minute appointments are conducted by a nurse practitioner whose practice focuses on perimenopause and menopause.

You can book directly, without a referral, and choose a telehealth appointment from anywhere in Australia or an in-person consultation in North Lakes, north of Brisbane.

Fees are clearly listed on the clinic's website, and Medicare rebates apply to telehealth consultations, with eligibility confirmed by the clinic before your appointment.

Make your health a priority

You don't have to wait until symptoms are interfering with your everyday life to start asking questions.

Your GP is a great first port of call, and it can help to jot down a few notes about your cycle, sleep, mood and any other changes you've noticed before your appointment.

Above all, remember that perimenopause isn't something you have to figure out on your own. Being informed, asking questions and finding the right support can help you feel more confident about navigating this next chapter.

To learn more about Aevum Bio Clinic's perimenopause and menopause consultations, visit aevumbioclinic.com.au/menopause-consultation or call (02) 9011 8011.

This article was created in partnership with Aevum Bio Clinic. Prevention only partners with brands we believe in and that share our vision to provide science-backed content you can trust.

References

1. Fang Y, Liu F, Zhang X, et al. Mapping global prevalence of menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2024;24:1767. doi:10.1186/s12889-024-19280-5. Funded by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China and Sichuan provincial grants.
2. Jean Hailes for Women's Health. The impact of symptoms attributed to menopause by Australian women: a report from the 2023 National Women's Health Survey. org.au
3. Badawy Y, Spector A, Li Z, Desai R. The risk of depression in the menopausal stages: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders 2024;357:126–133. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.041. No specific funding received; authors declare no competing interests.
4. Muka T, Oliver-Williams C, Kunutsor S, et al. Association of age at onset of menopause and time since onset of menopause with cardiovascular outcomes, intermediate vascular traits, and all-cause mortality. JAMA Cardiology 2016;1(7):767–776. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2016.2415. Sponsored and funded by Metagenics Inc; UK Medical Research Council grant also listed.
5. Ye M, Shou M, Zhang J, et al. Efficacy of cognitive therapy and behavior therapy for menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine 2022;52(3):433–445. doi:10.1017/S0033291721005407. Funding [not publicly visible – full text paywalled; check via library or mark "not stated"].
6. Franco OH, Chowdhury R, Troup J, et al. Use of plant-based therapies and menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA 2016;315(23):2554–2563. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8012. Sponsored by Metagenics Inc (a supplement company); UK Medical Research Council and British Heart Foundation grants also listed.