---
title: "Why does menopause cause hip pain"
description: "Why menopause can cause hip pain: estrogen loss, joint inflammation, stiffness, and related causes—and when to seek treatment or care."
url: "https://www.myalloy.com/knowledge-base/why-does-menopause-cause-hip-pain"
---

# Why does menopause cause hip pain

> Why menopause can cause hip pain: estrogen loss, joint inflammation, stiffness, and related causes—and when to seek treatment or care.

## Why does menopause cause hip pain?

Menopause can cause hip pain mostly because estrogen levels drop. Estrogen binds to receptors in joint tissues and is thought to help protect joints from stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. When that estrogen falls during perimenopause and menopause, the tissues around the joints lose some of that protection, and hips are one of the places that often start to ache.

Hips also tend to get hit harder because they’re weight-bearing joints and do a lot of work every day. On top of the hormone shift, muscle loss, bone density changes, extra strain from body weight, and ordinary wear on cartilage can all add to the discomfort. Here at Alloy, we talk about this as part of musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, which can include joint pain, muscle loss, and bone loss.

A small detail that can help: if the pain feels deep in the groin, that points more toward the hip joint itself. If it’s more on the outside of the hip or down the side of the leg, Dr. Vonda Wright notes that bursitis can sometimes be the reason. Menopause-related joint stiffness is also often worse first thing in the morning and can ease a bit once you start moving.

For more detail, our [joint pain article](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/how-to-treat-menopause-joint-pain) and [painful joints symptom page](https://www.myalloy.com/symptoms/painful-joints) are useful. If this is ongoing, [MHT options at Alloy](https://www.myalloy.com/solutions) may help, since MHT is considered the gold-standard treatment for menopausal joint pain. If the hip is swollen, red, warm, or very tender, it should be checked promptly.


[Start a Consult](https://secure.myalloy.com/experience?categories%5B%5D=mht&skip-category-select=true)

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This answer was created using the following resources:

- [Paroxetine](https://www.myalloy.com/solutions/paroxetine)
- [Estradiol Pill](https://www.myalloy.com/solutions/estradiol-pill)
- [Evamist® Estradiol Spray](https://www.myalloy.com/solutions/evamist)
- [Estradiol Gel](https://www.myalloy.com/solutions/divigel-estradiol-gel)
- [Low-Dose Birth Control Pill](https://www.myalloy.com/solutions/low-dose-birth-control-pill)
- [Why Do My Joints Hurt? Menopause & Musculoskeletal Syndrome](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/how-to-treat-menopause-joint-pain)
- [Staying Strong in Menopause | Alloy](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/how-to-stay-strong-in-menopause-and-beyond-with-dr-wright)
- [Why does bone loss happen so fast after menopause?](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/why-does-bone-loss-happen-so-fast-after-menopause)

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