World (Peri)Menopause Day 2026: Chronic Pain at Midlife
35+? Your body is changing. Are you listening? 💜
Have you ever noticed new aches, changes in recovery, or little shifts in how your body feels, and wondered, “Is this just getting older? Or is something else going on?”
Last year, I shared a Perimenopause 101 primer to help make this often-confusing transition a little less mysterious.
This year, the topic feels more personal.
✅ Note: If reading on socials, and you want the full post, including clickable links to resources, head over to Beckygram!
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been navigating some unexpected achilles tendon pain and a little hip flexor spasm. I train hard, and repetitive movements and heavy loads are certainly part of the picture. But at 41, I’ve also become increasingly curious about the changes that can accompany perimenopause.
So when I learned that this year’s World (Peri)Menopause Day theme was Chronic Pain at Midlife, I wanted to dig deeper.
Pain is complex. And knowledge is powerful.
Hormonal fluctuations (specifically declining estrogen levels) during perimenopause may influence joint and muscle discomfort, pain sensitivity, and recovery. Other organs and systems in the body are also impacted, from the brain to the heart and everything in-between. Symptoms can be widespread, impacting energy, sleep, thermoregulation, mood, and more. Yet not every ache is hormonal, and persistent pain can have multiple contributing causes.
That’s exactly why we need better conversations about it.
While my own recent aches aren't necessarily related to perimenopause, or examples of chronic pain (yet!) they've certainly made me more curious about exploring that connection!
Whether you’re experiencing changes yourself or supporting someone who is, understanding what’s happening can help you ask better questions, explore your options, and advocate for the care you deserve.
The International Menopause Society has published some excellent resources on the topic of Chronic Pain in Midlife this year:
- 2026 White Paper on Chronic Pain at Midlife
- 2026 World Menopause Day Fact Sheet
- Past Years of World Menopause Day Resources
Remember: you don’t have to choose between pushing through pain and giving up the activities you love. Sometimes the best way forward is simply adjusting your approach, getting some support, and figuring out what your body really needs to feel and function better.
Give yourself the care you’d give someone you love.
Think about puberty for a moment. It was a time of enormous change, and sometimes confusion, discomfort, awkwardness or uncertainty.
Perimenopause is no different. And our approach to navigating it deserves the same level of curiosity, compassion and willingness to learn.
How would you support a daughter, a friend, or your younger self navigating an unfamiliar chapter?
You deserve that same patience and care today.
For me, that’s meant talking openly with my bodybuilding coach, adjusting my training, making more room for recovery, and meeting with my gynecologist to discuss what I’m experiencing and what options might help.
It’s not that every symptom during these years must be (peri)menopause; but rather that asking the questions to educate yourself and understand your body better is worth the effort.
You don’t have to suffer in silence, and you definitely don’t have to figure it all out alone.
💌 Save this post or share it with a female friend who might find it valuable, and remember: getting stronger sometimes doesn’t mean pushing harder, but instead learning when, and how, to self-advocate and adapt.
Here’s to approaching this chapter with strength, curiosity, and self-trust. 🥂