I am 49 years old, and within the last year have developed most of the classic symptoms of perimenopause.
Last fall, I started experiencing swollen ankles. I've never been the kind of person who became bloated or retained water. It would come and go, depending on my period (or lack thereof).
This summer, the swollen ankles will not go away and they are now painful. When I walk after sitting for a while, or when I first get up in the morning, I am like an old lady.
I have been using Emerita estrogen and progesterone creams, as they have managed most of my other symptoms quite well. But now I'm not sure what to do.
My ankles are fat and unattractive, and rather painful.
Yep, I can understand what you are going through. I have swollen ankles and actually my legs from time to time swell as well. I live in S. Florida, so the heat does not help but even in colder weather, my ankles are swollen. I have also begun having difficulty with the bottom of my feet hurting so bad. I have always worn high heels to work, but started noticing my toes seemed to be swollen and then the balls of my feet hurt. Docs say nothing wrong, so with everything else, I am hoping it is only this time of my life. My blood work says I am in menapause, even though it has only been 10 months. My hormone levels are very, very low. Tired of feeling like this. I can certainly relate. Good luck. Let me know if you find anything that helps.
Thanks for your response. It's good to hear from someone else.
It comes and goes, some days/weeks are better/worse than others. The hot weather doesn't help.
I started taking niacinamide, which is supposed to help with inflammation. You can find that in health food stores. I also try to wear really tight socks on my ankles some nights when I go to bed.
I also suffer from painful swollen ankles. Ihave tried fluid tablets without any success. I have also tried having my feet raised, but again found this no use please can any one help as I am finding it hard to continue working.
Sorry but I've never heard of swollen ankles as part of menopause. I'm a heart patient, and my cardiologist tells me to report any ankle swelling to him, as this is a sign of possible complications. I am also going through peri-menopause.
Be it that I am a heart patient (for a birth defect, not my age), I'd still recommend you have a heart exam. Women are not exempt from heart attacks (not to scare you). In addition, any hormone therapy adds to this risk.
I'm not a doctor, and this could very well be just fluid build up. But what does it hurt to make sure? Or that hormone therapy isn't the cause (for those on that)?
Last edited by lKaz; 01-13-2010 at 10:16 AM.
Reason: typos
Hi I am 53 and have the same problem with the very painful swollen ankles and find it hard to walk in morning or after a busy day and then sat down the getting up again is very painful. Is there anything anyone has found to be helpful with this problem
hi colinette, i know what you are all going through with the painful and swelling of the ankles. i am 39 yrs old and have been going through this since i was a teen. i know its water and its also a pain cause my ankles and feet hurt so bad everyday. i am a caregiver so i am on my feet at least about half the day or more. depends on if i get up to clean or whatever. lol my client is very helpful in getting things for herself some days.but anyways i have been to the doctors and most of them tell me cause i am fat, prop my legs and other stuff. right now i am on lasix but i dont take it everyday cause it dehydrates me even though its a low dose. i think you shoud go to a heart doctor and they should run some tests.sorry this is so long and i hope everything works out and good luck
Yep, I can understand what you are going through. I have swollen ankles and actually my legs from time to time swell as well. I live in S. Florida, so the heat does not help but even in colder weather, my ankles are swollen. I have also begun having difficulty with the bottom of my feet hurting so bad. I have always worn high heels to work, but started noticing my toes seemed to be swollen and then the balls of my feet hurt. Docs say nothing wrong, so with everything else, I am hoping it is only this time of my life. My blood work says I am in menapause, even though it has only been 10 months. My hormone levels are very, very low. Tired of feeling like this. I can certainly relate. Good luck. Let me know if you find anything that helps.
hi there i was reading what you wrote and something you said caught my eye. its about your painful feet. do they sometimes go numb your feet or just the bottom of them and i bet its really hard in the mornings to get up and you walk with a limp. does your ankles hurt and they feel numb sometimes to?? you need to look up plantar fasciatis i think that is the right spelling. anyways i have had that for about 5 yrs but got it diagnosed a couple of years ago when i went to the drs and told her the symptoms and how painful it is. but its a thought and get back to me. its not a serious thing just very painful like mine everyday. sorry bout this being so long and good luck
I started this thread and I now have an update. The swelling seemed to go up and down with my monthly (or should I say irregular) cycles -- I'm in perimenopause.
My painful ankles moved to painful feet. It was ridiculous. Yes, I would get up in the mornings and limp to the bathroom. If I had to go down the stairs, I would lean against the wall to take the pressure off my ankles and feet. This didn't make any sense after having my feet "up" all night in bed. I started researching foot pain. Nothing took away the swelling or the pain.
Last November, I hadn't had a period in over six weeks, but then I had one and after that, the swelling and foot pain completely went away! I just now had another period (after three months) and there has been no ankle swelling in between. But I've noticed increased bloating (yuck) for the first time in other parts of my body.
So ... that's where I stand. I am soooooo thankful the swelling and pain has gone away in my ankles and feet, but I wonder: Will it come back in warm weather? Will it come back again with irregular periods? Or will I bloat up in other parts of my body?
Hi I am a 48 yr female in perimenopause. I am 50 lbs overweight. I have had crazy ankle/feet swelling the past 2-3 months. I am a hairdresser and swell worse when I am at my nail table all day. Elevation does help. After reading many posts , I have learned the following:
1. Limit your salt intake
2. Walk or move if you sit or stand all day
3. increase your protein intake
4. Wear compression stockings
5. Drink more water
My conclusion to my swelling is I need to excercise(I'd rather take a beating)
Really really really watch my salt. Accept that I'm not 20 anymore and wear the ugly shoes and stockings (sux)
Would anyone like to add to my rantings or offer any hope?
Last edited by mod-anon; 07-09-2010 at 09:05 PM.
Reason: removed quote
I have the exact same symtoms,ankles,toes, ball of foot. Can hardly get downstairs, one at a time. On the 21st of July I am seeing a nerve specialist that will run tests to find out if it is related to neuralgia. He seems to think it is. I have had one problem after the other since I finished menopause. When our estrogen is gone so is our protection from all the varments that want to invade our bodies.Our bodies start to feel things that are not there and go on the attack. I will not know til Sept what the results are but if they are related to this subject in any way I will be in touch. God bless all that live with this pain. I certainly can relate.
Thanks for the feedback. I have had the heart tests done, blood work, etc...all is good. I do have low Thyroid and am now on meds for that. But after being on my feet all day or sitting all day, I do have the occasional swollen ankles. And yes, I am concerned about the heart as well but so far, so good. I'll keep my fingers crossed on that one.
Re: Painful, swollen ankles 
