Effect of Menopause on Musculoskeletal Pain
Investigators: Margaret Altemus, MD- Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College; Nancy Reame, MSN, PHD- Mary Dickey Lindsay Professor of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Columbia University School of Nursing
Accumulating evidence from animal, clinical and epidemiologic studies suggests that hormonal changes of menopause promote musculoskeletal pain. Musculoskeletal pain is a well‐documented side effect of aromatase inhibitors administered to breast cancer patients, who experience rapid and profound suppression of estrogen production. However, there has been little systematic study of pain in women undergoing natural or surgical menopause. A better characterization of the phenomenology, pathophysiology and treatment response of menopause‐related pain will facilitate future study of the contribution of menopause‐related pain to functional disabilities of aging, including inactivity, weight gain, and depression. In addition, better characterization of menopause related pain will lead to improved detection of these pain syndromes, and will enable development of pain prevention and treatment strategies.