Arthralgia during menopause is most closely associated with which hormonal change?

Arthralgia during menopause is most closely associated with which hormonal change?

• A. Increase in progesterone
• B. Rise in testosterone
• C. Decline in estrogen
• D. Increase in estrogen

Answer: (C)

Decline in estrogen drives arthralgia in menopause. Estrogen supports joint health by helping maintain collagen and cartilage integrity and by modulating inflammatory processes in the joint. When estrogen levels fall during the menopausal transition, there’s increased inflammatory activity and degradation of joint tissues, leading to pain and stiffness often described as arthralgia. The other hormonal changes listed don’t align with the typical mechanism: progesterone isn’t known to drive new joint pain, rising testosterone isn’t the pattern seen in menopause, and an increase in estrogen doesn’t occur as estrogen levels naturally fall during this stage.

Decline in estrogen drives arthralgia in menopause. Estrogen supports joint health by helping maintain collagen and cartilage integrity and by modulating inflammatory processes in the joint. When estrogen levels fall during the menopausal transition, there’s increased inflammatory activity and degradation of joint tissues, leading to pain and stiffness often described as arthralgia. The other hormonal changes listed don’t align with the typical mechanism: progesterone isn’t known to drive new joint pain, rising testosterone isn’t the pattern seen in menopause, and an increase in estrogen doesn’t occur as estrogen levels naturally fall during this stage.