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Why Chronic Pain in Women Is Often Hormonal—& What You Can Do About It

March is Women’s History Month, and it’s flying by—but I can’t stop thinking about one thing: the impact of hormones on women’s pain.

I’ve been working with more and more women over 40, and the topic of pain comes up constantly. Not just physical pain, but the kind that lingers, moves, and never quite goes away—what many call “mystery pain.”

You’ve stretched. You’ve foam rolled. You’ve looked into steroid shots, nerve blocks, epidurals, Botox, and more. You’ve done “all the things.”

And still—your body’s not bouncing back. The pain remains. There are good days, bad days, but there’s always that nagging discomfort. It keeps you trapped in a cycle that feels unending.

Here’s the thing: it might not be just your muscles. It might also be your hormones.

Pain Can Also Be Hormonal

Women’s bodies are complex—and that’s something to be celebrated. Our 28-ish day cycle doesn’t just affect mood or digestion; it can also deeply influence how we experience pain.

Let’s celebrate that complexity. Let’s breathe into all that makes us women. But let’s also demand real information and care that supports healthy aging—with less pain. Information is power. So, let’s get into it.

Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and insulin all affect inflammation, tissue repair, and how loud your nervous system is when it comes to pain signals.

• Estrogen is a double-edged sword. In balance, it’s anti-inflammatory. But too much (hello estrogen dominance) or too little (hi, perimenopause) can ramp up pain, bloating, and stiffness.

• Low progesterone = poor sleep + anxious tension = more pain sensitivity.

• High cortisol (stress overload) = muscle tightness, delayed healing, and that wired-but-tired feeling.

• Insulin resistance drives systemic inflammation and often shows up as joint or nerve pain.

Chronic pain in women is often hormonal, but almost no one’s talking about it.

We deserve real guidance when it comes to hormones—and the right support to go with it.

You’re Not Broken

Your hormonal landscape changes how your body heals and reacts. Depending on age and where you are in your hormonal changes, you may see pain flare-ups hit before your period. Maybe recovery is slower than expected after surgery or injury. As you progress through your 30s, 40s, 50s, navigating perimenopause and menopause, hormone shifts are even more intense.

And that’s not a bad thing. It just means sometimes pain needs to be viewed through a different lens.

Support, Not Suppress

At The Pain Playbook, we don’t just chase symptoms—we get curious. We dive into the info and resources out there.

Because the truth is, you can’t out-stretch or out-strength-train a hormone imbalance. Those things have a place—a very important place—but when your body is under hormonal stress, you need more tools:

• Lymphatic drainage massage to ease swelling + help your body clear out what it doesn’t need

• Corrective movement that grounds you and helps stabilize your system

• Nervous system-focused bodywork that teaches your body how to chill (and recover faster)

This isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about working smarter—with your body, not against it.

You’re not broken. You’re just ready for a new kind of care.

Let’s start that journey together.

• 👉 Book a hormone-informed recovery session at BodyTech

• 👉 JJoin the list now for real talk on women, pain, and hormones