Why Your Shoulder Hurts During Menopause and What to Do About It

Lifestyle |
4 min read

Written By

Brittany Dick

Published

May 27, 2026

Medically reviewed by

Alyssa Dweck MS, MD, FACOG, MSCP, Chief Medical Officer

Is an achy, stiff shoulder keeping you up at night?

While it’s tempting to brush off a sore shoulder as no big deal, persistent pain may be a sign you’re developing something known as “frozen shoulder,” a condition that typically develops in those aged 40 and above—especially in women traversing the menopause transition.¹

Here, we’ll dive into what frozen shoulder is, what menopause has to do with it, and management options that may help you feel better.

Is Shoulder Pain in Menopause Common?

Experiencing shoulder pain in menopause? It’s certainly not considered one of the most common menopause symptoms, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. In fact, a 2020 review revealed that more than 70% of women in perimenopause experience musculoskeletal pain, including pain of the shoulder.²

What Is Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder, known medically as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and limited motion in the shoulder.³ Once frozen shoulder settles in, the open area that surrounds the shoulder joint becomes inflamed and develops scarring.⁴ This scarring causes tightening in the area, reducing movement and causing pain.

Many women describe frozen shoulder as feeling like their shoulders are “stuck” or “locked” in place, which can make simple tasks, like getting dressed or driving, more difficult and painful.^5,6

Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder in Menopause

Frozen shoulder may develop gradually, leading many women to mistake it for a simple sore shoulder.⁷ However, over time and without treatment, frozen shoulder may become worse.

Frozen shoulder typically happens in three stages: ^8,9

Freezing stage (six weeks to nine months): a dull, aching pain with any shoulder movement and inability to fully move the shoulder
Frozen stage (four to 12 months): slight decrease in pain, but shoulder becomes stiffer
Thawing stage (five to 24 months): gradual improvement in pain and mobility

Women may first notice pain that appears in the night, potentially impacting sleep. In some cases, full recovery may take as long as three years.¹⁰

What Causes Frozen Shoulder in Menopause?

For many women, a combination of hormonal shifts and lifestyle changes may contribute to developing joint pain in menopause, including frozen shoulder.¹¹

Causes of frozen shoulder in menopause can also include: ^{12,13,14,15,16}

Recent surgery. Having a recent procedure or scenario requiring a long period of rest and lack of movement may contribute to frozen shoulder.
Loss of estrogen. Estrogen offers protection to the body’s joints and tissues. As levels of this hormone decline, joints, like the shoulder, may become stiff and less flexible.
Inflammation. Estrogen helps maintain low inflammation levels throughout the body. As estrogen levels drop in menopause, inflammation may increase in connective tissues and joints.
Bone and muscle loss. Changes in bone health and muscle tone during menopause may affect the strength and stability of the shoulder joint, contributing to frozen shoulder.
Other risk factors. Having diabetes and/or thyroid conditions may increase a woman’s risk of developing frozen shoulder.

Treatments for Frozen Shoulder in Menopause

If you’ve been diagnosed with frozen shoulder, your healthcare providers may suggest a few treatment options, including: ^{17,18, 19}

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which also reduces inflammation, may help alleviate pain.
Steroid injections. Your healthcare provider may suggest injecting a corticosteroid into the shoulder joint to reduce swelling and pain with the goal of improving mobility.
Hydrodilation. Hydrodilation is a minimally-invasive procedure in which a radiologist injects fluid around the shoulder joint to expand the tight capsule and restore movement.
Physical therapy. A physical therapist can guide you in exercises to stretch and gradually strengthen the shoulder joint.
Surgery. In severe cases, your healthcare practitioner may recommend surgical options like shoulder manipulation (surgery to stretch scar tissue) or arthroscopy (surgery to “release” the joint known as “capsule release”).
Hormone Therapy. Research suggests hormone therapy might be protective against frozen shoulder in menopausal women, but more studies need to be done to qualify the exact benefits.

When to See a Healthcare Professional About Menopause Joint Pain and Frozen Shoulder

If you’re between the ages of 40 and 60 and have an achy, stiff shoulder, it’s possible it could be frozen shoulder.²⁰ Fortunately, treatment options do exist, and the earlier you receive an appropriate diagnosis, the faster and more fully you may recover.²¹

Consider reaching out to your primary care provider or another trusted physician for evaluation and potential treatment if you’re dealing with joint pain in menopause.

Shoulder Pain in Menopause: Why It Happens and Relief Tips | Bonafide

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