If you’re in your 40s or early 50s and suddenly dealing with a stiff, painful shoulder that just won’t move the way it used to—you’re not alone.
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is surprisingly common during perimenopause. And no, it’s not just because we’re “getting older.”
So what’s really going on?
The Hormone-Shoulder Connection
During perimenopause, your estrogen levels start to fluctuate—and those changes can affect much more than your mood or periods.
Estrogen plays a key role in keeping tissues flexible and inflammation in check. When estrogen dips, the connective tissue around your shoulder joint (called the capsule) can become inflamed and stiffen up.
That’s when you start noticing:
- Limited range of motion
- Pain that gets worse at night
- Trouble doing everyday things like brushing your hair or reaching behind you
Why It Feels So Random (But Isn’t)
Frozen shoulder often feels like it comes out of nowhere. But the root cause is usually a mix of hormonal shifts, stress, inflammation, and sometimes poor posture or repetitive strain.
Women going through perimenopause are especially vulnerable because:
- Inflammation increases
- Healing slows down
- Sleep is disrupted, which can affect recovery
- Stress levels rise, tightening the body even more
Natural Ways to Support Healing
The good news? You can support your body through this with gentle, consistent care. Here’s what helps:
- Movement over rest – gentle range-of-motion exercises are key
- Anti-inflammatory support – from food to supplements (like turmeric and omega-3s)
- Stress reduction – things like deep breathing, yoga, or even a daily walk can help loosen things up
- Nervous system regulation – working with your stress response makes a huge difference in both pain and mobility
- And most importantly—don’t ignore it. The earlier you address it, the faster and easier it is to manage.
Struggling with a frozen shoulder and wondering if your hormones are at play?
Let’s chat about what’s going on and how we can support your healing naturally.
Book a free discovery call with me today and let’s get you moving again—without the guesswork.
