I have very red swollen fingers and have read that this may be due to a reduction in oestrogen? I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago and have been on oestrogen-only patches for about a year and have settled at 50mg. However, six months ago my fingers started swelling, first around the joints and then all over. The doctors had no idea and finally put me on antihistamines which brought the swelling down. It has just started again and the antihistamines are not having much effect this time. My fingers are so tight that I can’t form a fist and the skin and nails are suffering. Has anyone experienced this, is it a menopause symptom?
– Sue, UK
Definitely that’s me right there.
It’s definitely not arthritis because those symptoms started at the same time as the other menopause symptoms. In my case, my face also gets swollen in solidarity with the hands.
I actually gain as much as 3-5kg when I get swollen- the whole body gets swollen. I suspect the estrogen and water retention. My shoes don’t fit me no more??♀️??♀️??♀️
I have had the same issue too for several years – I couldn’t wear my wedding rings because they were so tight. In the end I had them re-sized. Just recently I have come off HRT and the swelling has virtually gone. I’ve started taking Vit D3, Vit C + zinc and quercetin. I’m unsure whether these changes have had any impact or the swelling has just gone as strangely as it originally came.
Hi Sue I also suffered with occasional finger pains ,, wanted to share my story hope it helps someone,,,, At age 45 three years before starting to entering menopause at age 48. I noticed with food journaling, I was reacting to dairy,(swollen eyes lids ,sinusitis) wheat (shoulder pain and extreme fatigue), discontinuing these foods changed my life !! But still having some mild symptoms ,I found that certain plant chemicals, like plums I would have extremely sore thumbs, I discovered that some allergies( birtch tree ) among others can have cross reactions called (molecular mimicry) and peaches make my lips swell ,, again cross-reactivity,, but if I prepare them differently by baking the peaches it destroys the proteins which caused the reaction…. In saying all that ,I have read that there is a type of arthritis associated with decreased oestrogen, which can cause arthritic symptoms.
I think one of the most damaging and toxic foods to our body is deep fried. (Sore knee and swollen feet)
I like to eat healthier fats like olive , MCT coconut oil, low carb, lots veg , healthy protein sources no sugar , and seasonal fruit in moderation ?
Interesting, I’ve been wondering if I’ve become gluten intolerant due to hormonal changes. I’ve cut back on dairy, except for Greek yogurt, due to high cholesterol & now I’m doing same with gluten. I am super sensitive now to salt. I don’t use much when I cook but my hands & feet swell when I have even small amounts.
This is good to know will maybe try cutting out dairy and wheat as I have started to have similar issues.
I used to wake up (and still do) with numb tingling swollen fingers ,I was worried it was something more serious, but after reading all your comments I do feel a little better as I’d have never thought swollen fingers ,numbness and the tingling would ever be associated to all this ,and many more symptoms I’m reading ,I’m glad I came on here now ?
Same here I’ve had same tests as lots of others on here have mentioned for arthritis and gout, (and other things doc didn’t tell me what) the symptoms were particularly bad sept last year but are easing with just occasional days when feel worse. Doc prescribed some low dose NSAIDs but I have stopped taking them every night now that symptoms have eased off. So all along it could be menopausal cause!
Tears reading through these. My symptoms started at about 45. Numbness/tingling in hands to shoulders. My hands would fall asleep at night to the point where I had no feeling. My neck would get so sore I could barely look to the sides. I had seen a doctor about it, had a nerve test. He thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome but I knew it wasn’t. It came on quite suddenly. Everything came back normal. I’m 48 in November and my arms and hands completely fall asleep at night. It wakes me up as it’s causes pain and discomfort. I have to shift positions to get the feeling back only to have it happen over and over again nightly. I wake up with swollen knuckle joints and it takes a while until I can bend my hands properly and the swelling goes down. My feet are also stiff in the morning. I’ve noticed that these symptoms aren’t as severe when I stay away from gluten, sugar and alcohol. It wasn’t until yesterday that I spoke with a nurse friend who told me my issues were likely hormonal and related to perimenopause. Yes, I did Dr Google (desperate) and I indeed saw that these uncomfortable symptoms are related to declining amounts of oestrogen and progesterone. I had tears of relief as I was worried it may be MS or ALS (which my Dad passed away from). I’m grateful for everyone here relating and may we all get through it and feel better xx
I experienced the exact same issues around 48. It’s painful and scary. At first, I thought i was sleeping wrong, which didn’t make sense bc I have insomnia. I’m now 52 and it’s less frequent. I do take HRT. I’ve not had much success with doctors diagnosis. My ophthalmologist, which knows nothing other than my eye health , sent me to Quest Diagnostics lab to have an early Sjogren’s blood tests bc I have had chronic dry eyes for five years. The test was a (serology test), came back positive. I was referred to a rheumatologist, she didn’t understand/recognize the serology tests, therefore, she did in house blood test and said that according to her tests, i don’t have Sjogren’s, which is an autoimmune disease, again, nothings definitive. I have read that it’s common for women going through menopause to discover an autoimmune disease. Personally, I think it’s just hormones, because I’ve read that carpal tunnel syndrome is a symptom of menopause.
Wow Lori, this is exactly my experience over the last few months. I have just called my GP again after going private and ended up seeing neurologist who said no signs of MS or autoimmune disease. I cancelled the NHS appointment which came through later but wish i had continued with it for a second opinion as no real answers. Seen a comment from someone else about Dandelion tea and i have heard this is good but forget to take. I have gluten intolerance and have been addicted to sugar for years although hardly any over the last few months. I have learned that the doctors and even very experienced consultants like neurologists really dont know much about female matters. I had diagnosis of adenomyosis also last year, but each time i mention to a GP they just skim over it likes its normal and nothing to worry about ! They say dont look at Dr Google, but seems to make the most sensible suggestions for me! take care and sorry to hear about your dad. Take care all.
I have just started getting swollen fingers, particularly on right. It’s sore when I clench home my fist and didn’t even realise it might be a symptom until I read this so can add to the ever growing list!
I have really painful fingers that swell up with sore joints. My GP diagnosed gout over the phone after a blood test. He sent me a link to an NHS website which basically said exercise more, don’t eat red meat or shellfish and don’t drink alcohol. At the point when I had the blood test I was training for a half marathon, was a vegetarian and hadn’t touched booze in weeks. So I wasn’t fully on board with the diagnosis. I’m thinking a return to the doctors might be necessary as the pains and swelling keep coming and going.
This started happening to me this year. So swollen it hurts to make a fist. Feet too but less noticeable. I think I my overall water retention has increased as I get closer to menopause. When I drink dandelion tea (diuretic) the swelling goes down.
I have just developed this and currently getting tested for arthritis. Waiting for test results.
I have read this can be a sign of menopause. I mentioned this to the young MD and she had no reply .
I do have a gluten sensitivity, so I was possibly linking it with that and possibly dehydration, hormones and alcohol.
Try checking with your doctor to see if u have psioriatic arthritis? It causes swollen fingers along with inflammation. Doc will do some bloods and check before referral to rhuemy??.
Oh my, I am having the same problem. My left hand mainly gives me problems. I can’t wear my wedding rings, & I can’t form a fist. Typing is an issue.
I suffer all the time from this and I don’t know what to do . When I seen swollen fingers I quickly had to read this , I thought I was the only one . I started to think it’s something the doctors can’t see and skin disease from something I touched so my anxiety is gotten so bad lately .
I am 51 been on HRT patches 6 months. hot flashes gone get 1 every now and again, sleep better but… omg the aching joints, I can’t stand and swollen stiff hands, wrists, elbow and fat feet ?. Anyone know if I stop HRT it will go away. I’d rather have hot flashes I think
Same! On patches for 3 months, hot flashes gone but swollen feet, fingers and bleeding constantly.. think the hot flashes is a better alternative rhan this actually…
52, HRT 1.5yrs; pain in body and hands rolling over to get up for bathroom(every night) and I can hardly walk in middle of night and for first 30 minutes when I wake up. I sleep on my back mostly and wake up with swollen painful hands. Started 4 months ago. Never thought it could be HRT related…
Tested for autoimmune, all tests slightly positive. Doc thinks it’s probably Sjogrens but hasn’t fully expressed itself. Recommended full diet removal of gluten and dairy. I don’t drink.
Grateful for this post.
Hi, don’t know if this is too late, but when I started taking HRT (the combi patch: estradiol and levonorgestrel) my fingers started to really hurt, my pinky. I always did yoga, suddenly I couldn’t anymore. It felt like arthritis.
But it spread to all my fingers tips, palm of my hand, swollen breasts, sharp pains in them, thigh muscles, calf muscles, and toes. I got off of the HRT and the swelling and pain for the most part subsided. 90%. The one pinky where it all started still felt a little tender but not like what I had been experiencing. I waited about two weeks and switched to a bio-identical progesterone, wondering if it was the levonogestrel (which doesn’t act as a diuretic in the way prometrium does). I cut my patch in half and started with a .25 patch of estradiol and 100mg of prometrium. I had some pinky tenderness, but manageable. When I moved up to .5mg of estradiol, I didn’t last more than two weeks, all my fingers were hurting/burning at the DIP knuckle, my palm, my breasts, my thighs, my toes, etc. I ripped off the estradiol patch, and within 24 hours my symptoms subsided by more than half. I am hoping they continue to get better.
From what I have read, you may be retaining too much water from the estradiol patch. The fluid makes the DIP knuckle distend, and eventually swell. I have found that I do better on a half patch of what is prescribed of estradiol, against the full dose of prometrium, but I still have a reaction. It sucks.
Yes. It’s stopped now but I’ve been waking up with swollen fingers for the last 2 years
Maybe it’s just something I have to get through as part of my body changing?
I had swollen fingers when I’d wake up most mornings when I’d say I was about 48yo but that has totally subsided. I’m 51 now. It didnt last the whole three years. I’d say a year and a half at most.
I had no idea what was causing my swollen figures, mostly in the morning. I also feel a stiffness (clicks when I move it) in my thumb, again in the morning. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one experiencing these strange systems.
Are you drinking enough water? We need at least 80 ounces a day.
Yes have long periods of this in both hands. Find fine motor skills quite difficult when my hands are cad but seems to have settled at the moment. I’m not on HRT but do have the Mirena coil
I too have swollen finger joints and pain. It started a couple of years ago and is progressively getting worse. No rings for me either. I’ve also got arthritic nodules on one finger and finger bending at the end. I’m due to have my mirena coil out in a couple of weeks as it’s been in longer than it should (Covid restrictions at doctors) I’m hoping that all my old symptoms don’t return once it’s out. Who’d be a woman hey
I think you may be dehydrated. I have this issue sometimes and was told it was because I don’t drink enough water. It does go away when I commit to drinking water.
Yes I HVE seriously suffered for several yrs wth swollen fingers & the more I do wth my hands the worse they get but I also HVE a lot of pain associated wth mine but that’s another issue but I HVE not only been swelling in just my fingers my face my left leg from knee down foot gets really really big sometimes both legs swell & fluid pills help some but not enough I am gonna try going to the heart dr I am starting to worry but keep an eye open on other parts of ur body it started wth my fingers & right after menopause started wth me.. I had a hysterectomy back in 96 it was an emergency situation after my son was born left 1 ovary since I was only 24 at the time but a yr ago I really realized I was in full menopause them hot flashes is what made me put the weight gain, swollen fingers & yes they r painful I understand but the more of the swelling u can get down the less pain I seem to HVE I wake up middle of the nite wth em swollen & hurting but a full nites sleep stopped a yr ago I am up down thirsty hot then cold it’s so under rated what us women HVE to go thru!! I pray u can find a way to get that fluid off ur fingers I totally understand the pain maybe try drinking more water to help remove the fluid or fluid pill wth a lot of water that’s all I HVE found that helps me..
I understand i had experience the same systems and i was malnurtrion because my body was using up different vitsmins and minerals quicker than others and my body thought i was starving it. you may want to talk to your dr and have a series of blood work to see if that could be a reason
I am 53, I too have started with the swollen finger, numbness and swelling of my index finger, stiffness of fingers on both hands and swollen ankles. I had a full hysterectomy last year in July. I was having the numbness prior to that because I was already in menopause. I would wake up several times a night with numb tingling hands. I have to move them so the numbness will go away. Got so bad that I went to a hand specialist who said I had arthritis in both hands. I had to get a shot for the pain in my right hand. It worked. More stiff then anything now. Needless to say it’s another menopause symptom sounds like. I go to see another Doctor on the 17th of this month. I do not take any medications other then Allergy meds. I exercise three times a week, walk for a hour on most days and eat healthy most of the time. Rarely drink alcohol and take supplements daily. I can not use HRT of any kind. And I get hot flashes worse now since the surgery. I don’t know if this is common but I am currently in Therapy for a frozen shoulder. Which was so weird.
I also had frozen shoulder about 2 years ago that completely locked up. An ortho doctor told me it was from perimenopause and he sees this all the time. He gave me steroid injections in my shoulder that made all the difference and I went through physical therapy. Now I have been having swelling in my fingers that gets worse during the night. Going to have bloodwork done next week. I also have hot flashes and cold chills at times.
I’m not suffering with swollen fingers but I have increased pain and tenderness in my knuckle area. I also find that I don’t have the same grip that I used to have.
Trying Qun Turmeric and 95% curcuminoids. Will give update on how it goes.
I now have nobes on the end joints of my middle and index fingers. X-ray confirmed Osteoporosis in my hands has started. I will be 52 at the end of the week.
I’m so glad I found this post! My fingers have been swollen since my peri menopause has kicked in. I can’t wear my wedding rings that I’ve worn without issue for 25 years ?
My doctor dismissed it as sodium intake, but I basically eat as I always have. I knew it was related to my hormones.
Same here, unable to wear the wedding rings after almost 30 years and I don’t want to get them resized quite yet. I was fine in December and the first couple weeks of January and then the carpal tunnel symptoms in overdrive like I’ve never had, swollen fingers, swollen hands, and I’m sure chronic inflammation throughout my body. Six months since my last period. But thankfully, so far my mood remains stable.
Does anyone else have carpal tunnel symptoms? My wrists kill! And I don’t have a repetitive motion job-can’t understand why I have this???
Hi,
I developed carpal tunnel during my pregnancy. It got worse and worse to the point that I couldn’t use my hands properly. I had to have operations on both hands.
Good luck.
So glad i came across this thread after diagnosing myself with all sorts and seeing NHS and private GP and neurologists that cant give me an idea of what is wrong with me! Had all the blood tests including kidney, vitamins, mineral testing and 3 different people came back with differnet feedback from reading my blood results x 2. (NHS GP, private GP and neurologist)! They were originally said to be normal and private neurologist stated that my Vit D was at the low end of healthy but still low! Just losing a little faith in the health system all round, but very thankful for the advice from NHS as often its really helpful.
Thank you
Yes
But I didn’t ever think that it could have been connected with menopause I had my hysterectomy 11 years ago I don’t have any hormone replacements I take my hand started swelling about two years ago and I thought maybe I just had to do with arthritis or Poor circulation
I’m supposed to have blood work done in the next two weeks check my hormone levels and everything else
I will mention that at my doctors appointment and see what they have to say
if they say anything I will let you know
but it’ll probably be about a month before I can find out And check and see what are my estrogen levels
Thank you, I would really appreciate that, I have had xrays and bloods done for arthritis and auto immune but nothing found so the doctors have no other suggestions. My fingers are so swollen now that I can’t bend them much. Good luck with your investigations.
Yea I also suffer from this problem. Definitely wasn’t an issue before menopause
I’ve been in perimenopause for a couple of years and just the other day started waking up with swollen fingers. I’ve also been experiencing a lot of tingling in hands and feet this week. My erratic period came last week so perhaps it’s related to that. If it gets worse, I’ll probably call my doctor.
Yes, more so when I’m doing something active
I am sorry you are in pain, Sue. Sounds like an allergic reaction.
As we age our body’s ability to process things without consequence decreases. Dairy now tends to tighten my sinuses. I have friends that have developed lactose intolerance in their thirties. Too much sodium in my diet makes my hands, feet, and face swell. I’ve also noticed that eating pizza or pasta for dinner makes the swelling worse too. I’m sure good old caffeine from coffee doesn’t help the joints either, but it helps me wake faster in the mornings. I liked the comment about drinking more water. It’s the easiest and least costly of options. I need to drink more too…always.
Take care and let us know what you try.
Mine aren’t swollen, but I started with extreme stiffness and pain in my thumb about 2 months ago. My first thought was that I ate something or used a product with something that I shouldn’t have (several food and chemical intolerances) so I started eliminating things I recently had used and still have pain. I had no idea this could be a symptom of menopause! I had an ablation several years ago, but just found out last year that I’m in complete menopause.
Saw a hand doctor who was helpful in diagnosing my problem but I have erosive arthritis in my index fingers. He couldn’t help me specifically because there is no cartridge left in these 2 joints so I saw his colleague the finger joint replacement specialist who suggested occupational therapy since I have movement still. I did 20 sessions of basic hand massage with movement homework and it helped. I know that we don’t want to use our hands when they hurt but getting some hand exercises can really help the mobility and pain of every day life. Eventually for me the joints will fuse themselves in my fingers and I’ll have to decide when to get replacement surgery as I am only 50 and this only started 2 years ago so I will need use of my hands for years to come.
I began HRT oral progesterone about a year and a half ago to help w severe insomnia that followed high dose steroids that dysregulated my hormone ms. I had just turned 50. It didn’t help until it was increased this past April. However, I began having dry eye. I can’t wear contacts anymore. My finger joints are tight and swollen and my calves feel swollen. Since I am sleeping better and off all sleep meds, we are going to reduce the progesterone in hopes to relieve these symptoms and still maintain good sleep.
Anyone have the symptoms reverse when the adjusted progesterone down.
I’ve been waking with swollen fingers for last 5 months during which I’ve been overloaded with work. I have a desk job and type for 8-10 hours every day. By end of day my hands can ache but only swell overnight. My middle fingers are the worst. Had to take off my rings. Blood tests and MRI show no arthritis or inflammatory disease. I eat healthily and mostly GF. Im on Mirena and Estrogel. This thread is interesting because I’d not considered hormones.
I am relieved to read this post too. 50 yrs old, 2 years ago sudden and severe inflation in both hands, would move to different knuckles every few days, red and swollen, couldn’t close a fist, painful, extreme exhaustion, hurt to do the dishes and lift anything. Also started in feet, ankles and tendons. Saw rhumy had all blood tests all negative. 12 months of anti inflammatory diet it reduced a lot but I still wake up with swollen hands, swollen all over, kneeling down my legs feel so tight, shoes don’t fit, 5kg extra weight in 12 months but feels like so much of that could be water. I feel like I’m walking through glue, I’m so exhausted and it hurts to move. I went on HRT and put on another 2 kgs in 2 weeks so stopped. I’m going back on strict anti inflammatory diet, no wine and will try Vit B D magnesium and dandelion tea mentioned on here. Hopefully that works.