04/06/2026
🤔 Why do muscle cramps become more often in perimenopause?
There may be multiple things that contribute to muscle cramps in midlife. Estrogen declines can increase muscle and joint pain directly by affecting strength and inflammation. Our ability to extract calcium from food slowly declines with time, which can lead to muscle cramps. Also, sweating due to hot flashes and heat intolerance can predispose us to dehydration, which can be compounded by rapid fluid shifts with hormonal fluctuations. If you can address these changes by getting plenty of fluids and eating nutrient dense foods, all the best. Others find that vitamin K, magnesium supplements (glycinate and malate may be most helpful), or electrolyte mixes are helpful in a pinch.