Knees that ache when you stand up. Hips that feel stiff in the morning. Fingers that suddenly feel inflamed. Most women assume this is aging—but it’s overwhelmingly hormonal. Estrogen protects joints by reducing inflammation and maintaining collagen. When levels drop, inflammatory markers can rise by up to 50%. That’s why many women in their 40s suddenly develop: – knee pain – shoulder stiffness – morning achiness – swollen finger joints What helps: – Omega-3s (shown to reduce inflammatory joint pain by 22–45%) – Strength training to stabilize joints – Collagen + vitamin C for connective tissue – Avoiding ultra-processed foods that spike inflammatory responses – Tracking symptoms to identify patterns (certain weeks are worse) Your joints aren’t “worn out.” They’re reacting to the absence of a hormone that has protected them for decades. Tags: #JointHealth #WomensHealth