@her.reset.balance: Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is one of the most under-discussed perimenopause symptoms. And one of the most painful. Estrogen has receptors throughout connective tissue, tendons, and the joint capsule. It maintains collagen integrity and reduces inflammation in these structures. When estrogen declines in perimenopause, the tissue of the shoulder joint capsule can thicken and contract — creating the characteristic pain and loss of range of motion that defines frozen shoulder. Studies show women are 3–4x more likely than men to develop frozen shoulder, and the peak incidence in women lands squarely in the 40–60 age range. The correlation is clear. The connection is almost never made in clinical practice. If you were told you had frozen shoulder and given a cortisone shot or a referral to PT, that is appropriate treatment. But understanding the hormonal root cause can change how you manage your overall perimenopause protocol. Save this. Share it with your PT and your OB. Credit @drmaryclaire #perimenopause #frozenshoulder #hormonehealth #womenover40 #womenshealth
