Managing Psoriatic Arthritis During Menopause: Tips and Insights
Rheumatic ConditionsPsoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis and Menopause: What You Need to Know

Psoriatic Arthritis and Menopause: What You Need to Know
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock
By
Published on October 23, 2025
by
Although they may seem unrelated, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and menopause can interact, triggering symptoms and prompting treatment adjustments for both.

During the menopause transition, hormones fluctuate, hot flashes hit, and periods get irregular. But how do these changes affect PsA?

Below, learn how PsA and menopause affect one another and how you can manage symptoms.

Does Psoriatic Arthritis Influence When You Go Through Menopause?

Experts aren’t sure how PsA influences when you transition into menopause, but newer research suggests having PsA doesn’t change your menopause timeline.

One study with 820 women found that those who had higher levels of inflammation (a hallmark of PsA) started menopause earlier than those with lower levels.

 But experts haven’t confirmed this effect for PsA specifically.

“[People with] psoriatic arthritis experience menopause at similar ages as the general population,” says Abhijeet Danve, MD, a rheumatologist with Yale Medicine in Old Saybrook and Hamden, Connecticut, who specializes in PsA. “However, women who experience earlier menopause (before age 45) are at increased risk for developing late-onset psoriatic arthritis.”

One study found that women who go through menopause later (after age 55) are less likely to develop PsA later in life, says Shoshana Marmon, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at New York Medical College in New York City. “[This] suggests that longer reproductive years may be somewhat protective.”

How Menopause Can Affect Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

During the menopause transition, estrogen levels fluctuate and trend downward.

 Experts know hormone levels affect PsA because hormone increases during pregnancy improve PsA symptoms, like joint pain and swelling, which come back after these hormones return to normal.

Because of this observed connection, it makes sense that declining estrogen levels during menopause could worsen PsA symptoms.

Among its many effects on the body, estrogen helps the immune system function and lessens inflammation — both key factors in PsA.

In a similar link, many people with PsA have psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, which can also develop or worsen with menopause.

“In terms of symptoms, there are a few studies that point to psoriasis largely remaining unchanged or worsening with menopause, with few patients reporting improvement,” says Dr. Marmon, who adds more research is needed around this connection.

Managing Menopause Symptoms When You Have PsA

If you’re going through menopause with PsA, you may be able to improve menopause symptoms using the same techniques as people without PsA.

Diet and Exercise

A nutritious diet full of vegetables, fruit, fish, and healthy fats may improve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats while also lowering your risk of heart disease and painful joints. It’s also best to avoid caffeine, which can make hot flashes worse.

Exercise works to prevent bone loss after menopause and can help you sleep better. Strength training and aerobic exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling can also relieve joint pain, help you move easier, improve mental health, and manage your weight.

Stress Reduction

Living with PsA can feel stressful, and menopause may add to that experience. Mindfulness practices like meditation can help relieve symptoms of both menopause and arthritis.

Studies suggest this technique may change the way your brain works, but experts say they need more research to understand why mindfulness helps with these symptoms.

Sleep Hygiene

Missing sleep can worsen inflammation, which can affect both menopause and PsA symptoms.

 But it works both ways: Painful joints and uncomfortable menopause symptoms can make sleep elusive.

For better sleep with PsA and menopause, try following these tips:

  • Keep a consistent bedtime schedule and routine.
  • Try not to nap in the afternoon or evening.
  • Avoid using screens in your sleep space.
  • Make your bedroom cool, dark, and cozy.
  • Exercise daily, but not too close to bedtime.
  • Stick to smaller snacks before bed instead of large meals.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol before sleep.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy can work well for severe menopause symptoms like hot flashes, including in those with PsA, says Marmon.

Your healthcare provider may recommend against hormone therapy if you have a history of estrogen-sensitive cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, or a history of blood clots or stroke.

Herbal Remedies

Many companies claim their herbal products improve menopause symptoms, but research hasn’t proven their effectiveness.

For example, black cohosh is a popular choice for menopause symptoms, but it can damage your liver and isn’t safe to take if you have had breast cancer.

Others claim foods like soybeans, chickpeas, and flaxseed have natural estrogens, but no studies have shown these foods can improve hot flashes or other symptoms.

If you’d like to try an herbal remedy for menopause with PsA, ask your healthcare provider. They can recommend the safest options and warn you of any harmful ingredients.

Managing Psoriatic Arthritis When You’re Going Through Menopause

The best way to manage PsA before, during, and after menopause is to work with your healthcare provider to develop a tailored treatment plan.

 “Most women can stay on their current PsA medications through menopause, with doctors adjusting only if symptoms worsen,” says Marmon.

“Unfortunately, there haven’t been any clinical trials to tell us whether medications like TNF or IL-17 blockers need to be tweaked as estrogen drops,” says Marmon, who recommends close monitoring and communication with your provider.

She also recommends trying to maintain a healthy weight during the menopause transition. “Weight gain is also common after menopause, and losing weight has been shown to improve PsA outcomes,” she says.

Many of the tips for alleviating menopause symptoms can improve PsA symptoms, too, including exercise, stress management, and healthy nutrition. Avoiding processed foods, alcohol, and personal triggers like smoking can also keep PsA symptoms at bay during the menopause transition.

As you head into menopause with PsA, let your healthcare provider know if you experience these symptoms:

  • New or worsening joint pain
  • Frequent, extra-long, or very heavy periods
  • New skin symptoms, like rashes
  • Bleeding between periods or after sex

“More frequent clinical assessments and multidisciplinary care are recommended to address fluctuating symptoms and the increased risk of comorbidities, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Danve.

Dealing With Long-Term Effects of Menopause

Both menopause and PsA can raise the risk of certain health conditions, says Marmon. For example, both conditions increase osteoporosis risk, which causes weak, brittle bones.

Your healthcare provider may also recommend exercise, calcium and vitamin D, or bisphosphonate therapy to help protect bone strength, says Marmon.

PsA and menopause also both increase the risk of heart disease, says Marmon. “Screening for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia is important, and consistent medical follow-up including blood pressure and cholesterol management is essential.”

Marmon recommends weight management, which can not only improve treatment response in PsA but also lower your risk of a long list of other health problems, like diabetes, cancer, breathing conditions, and metabolic syndrome.

Beyond physical effects, PsA and menopause can both have a strong influence over your mental health. “Depression, anxiety, and poor sleep are significantly more common in PsA and can worsen through the menopausal transition,” says Marmon. “Screening for these issues and addressing them proactively is key.”

The Takeaway

  • PsA and menopause together can cause worsened joint pain and swelling. They may increase your risk of heart disease, weak bones, and mental health issues.
  • You can manage PsA during menopause with regular exercise, a nutritious diet, stress reduction techniques, and good sleep.
  • Some research suggests hormone therapy can help decrease worsening PsA symptoms during and after menopause. Your healthcare provider can help you decide whether this treatment option could work for you.

Resources We Trust

Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
samir-dalvi-bio

Samir Dalvi, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Samir Dalvi, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He has over 14 years of experience in caring for patients with rheumatologic diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, and gout.

See full bio

Abby McCoy, RN

Author

Abby McCoy is an experienced registered nurse who has worked with adults and pediatric patients encompassing trauma, orthopedics, home care, transplant, and case management. She is a married mother of four and loves the circus — that is her home! She has family all over the world, and loves to travel as much as possible.

McCoy has written for publications like Remedy Health Media, Sleepopolis, and Expectful. She is passionate about health education and loves using her experience and knowledge in her writing.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Cassalia F et al. How Hormonal Balance Changes Lives in Women with Psoriasis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. January 17, 2025.
  2. Menopause Basics. Office on Women's Health. March 17, 2025.
  3. Rath L. Menopause With a Rheumatic Disease. Arthritis Foundation. December 7, 2022.
  4. Bertone-Johnson ER et al. A Prospective Study of Inflammatory Biomarker Levels and Risk of Early Menopause. Menopause. January 2019.
  5. Xiao Y et al. Age at Natural Menopause, Reproductive Lifespan, and the Risk of Late-Onset Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis in Women: A Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. June 2024.
  6. McCarthy M et al. The Peri-Menopause in a Woman’s Life: A Systemic Inflammatory Phase That Enables Later Neurodegenerative Disease. Journal of Neuroinflammation. October 23, 2020.
  7. Meditation and Mindfulness: Effectiveness and Safety. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. June 2022.
  8. Engert LC et al. Sleep and Inflammation: A Bidirectional Relationship. Somnologie. January 2025.
  9. Korpe B et al. Systemic Inflammation and Menopausal Symptomatology: Insights From Postmenopausal Women. Menopause. November 1, 2024.
  10. Sleep Problems and Menopause: What Can I Do? National Institute on Aging. September 30, 2021.
  11. Harper-Harrison G et al. Hormone Replacement Therapy. StatPearls. October 6, 2024.
  12. Menopause: Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clinic. August 7, 2024.
  13. Psoriatic Arthritis. Cleveland Clinic. September 19, 2023.
  14. Menopause. Cleveland Clinic. June 24, 2024.
  15. Krajewska-Włodarczyk M et al. Changes in Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women With Psoriatic Arthritis. Reumatologia. October 28, 2017.
  16. Mei Y et al. Roles of Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause on Osteoarthritis and Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes: A Narrative Review. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences. March 28, 2022.
  17. Health Risks of Overweight & Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. May 2023.
  18. Gusmão Acioly PM et al. Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis in a Mixed Race Population: Comparison of Their Prevalences. Psoriasis. October 31, 2024.