Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopause, can trigger psoriasis flares. Therefore, menopause may cause or worsen psoriatic arthritis symptoms in some people.
Psoriatic arthritis (PA), a psoriasis complication, occurs in about
Estrogen drops during menopause, and a fall in estrogen levels is
Hormone replacement therapy to increase estrogen levels may help reduce psoriatic arthritis symptoms if they worsen during menopause.
Read on to learn more about menopause and psoriatic arthritis.
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Menopause may increase PA symptoms or even trigger psoriatic arthritis in a person with no recent history of the disease.
This is because
Stress
There is also some evidence that PA may increase the risk of some menopause-related health conditions.
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, and they affect many aspects of health and functioning. Hormonal changes may alter levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body, increasing the risk of joint pain.
Estrogen plays an important role in inflammation. According to a
The hormonal changes of menopause may also be stressful, which can trigger additional symptoms. Emotional stress
There is
Similarly, the course of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is unpredictable. It
As estrogen levels drop, a person may notice that their symptoms worsen. Physical and emotional stress are also likely to exacerbate symptoms.
People with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis, especially when it is left untreated.
Psoriatic arthritis may also get worse during menopause. In some cases, the condition
People with psoriatic arthritis also have a higher rate of co-occurring conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. These also become more prevalent after menopause, so ongoing monitoring and management are key.
Menopause does not require treatment, but estrogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
A wide variety of treatments can help psoriatic arthritis. The right treatment depends on a person’s symptoms, overall health, and tolerance for various side effects. Some general categories of treatments
- disease-modifying antirheumatic agent drugs (DMARD)
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- social and emotional support
- psychotherapy to manage stress
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
Learn more about hormone replacement therapy and treatment for psoriatic arthritis.
If a person visits a doctor about their psoriatic arthritis, they may consider asking:
- How might estrogen therapy affect or interact with other treatments I am using?
- What are the risks and benefits of taking estrogen?
- Can I try a different treatment if my symptoms are getting worse?
- How will I know the treatment is working?
- How long will it take for treatment to work?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to manage symptoms?
- Do my symptoms put me at risk of any other comorbidities?
Because menopause tends to increase inflammation, it may be a trigger for new or worsening psoriatic arthritis. This is not inevitable, however, and predicting the course of either menopause or psoriasis can be challenging.
With treatment, it is often possible to manage psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms. While HRT is not a cure, it may help reduce flares in addition to easing menopause symptoms.
People should discuss their symptoms with a doctor and should ask for additional support if treatment stops working during menopause.