Menopause

MENOPAUSE SWOLLEN ANKLES

The underlying cause of swollen ankles during menopause.

Swollen ankles are a common site for women during menopause. But like any other menopausal symptoms, swollen ankles do not occur in every woman during menopause. There are a number of reasons for swollen ankles like: standing or sitting down too long, menstrual periods, pregnancy, too much weight, aging, injury to ankles or feet.

Swollen ankles are also an indication of diseases such as heart, kidney, and liver failure. These conditions are as a result of too much fluid on the body. 

There are other health factors that cause swollen ankles aside from menopause. Blood clot, leg infection, varicose veins, burns, insect bites, malnutrition, and surgery to the legs or feet. Swollen ankles that are common during menopause are not only brought about by other diseases but also by medications and treatments. Menopause symptoms remedy like the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and estrogen in birth control pills are also likely to cause swollen ankles. There are also certain drugs for lowering blood pressure that can result in swollen ankles when taken in. Steroids and antidepressant drugs may also result in swollen ankles.

There are no clear explanations as to why swollen ankles happen during menopause. It has been evident though that most cases are due to too much bodily fluids. The treatment of symptoms of menopause may have greatly influenced the occurrence of swollen ankles though. It is also a very common fact that painless swollen ankles and feet happen and is a common dilemma among older people. Some suffer intense swelling that may even include the calves and thighs. However, the swelling of ankles and feet are most common due to the presence of gravity.

Estrogen and progestin hormones are said to have a great impact on the body’s water metabolism. Fluctuating hormone levels during the menopausal years can actually cause fluid retention, which is an effect of an increase in sodium. As with pregnancy, weight gain during menopause results in swollen ankles.

Reducing one’s sodium intake may help lessen the event of fluid retention in the body. While swollen ankles, along with other menopause symptoms are unpredictable, eating a proper diet along with living a healthy lifestyle may prevent you from experiencing most of the symptoms associated with menopause including swollen ankles.

Other remedies that you might find helpful in fighting the incidence of swollen ankles during menopause are: elevating your legs to a point above your heart when lying down, exercising your legs to pump fluid from the legs to the heart, and wearing support sock and stockings.

If your swollen ankles have gone really bad or if accompanied by other disturbing symptoms like fever, or if the swelling is red and has included your abdomen, consult your health care provider right away. This may be more than a problem of shoe size.