Although menopause is often understood as simply the end of menstrual periods, it is, in reality, a significant hormonal transition in a woman’s life that affects many parts of the body. The most common symptoms include hot flushes and mood swings — but for some women, this stage also brings on frozen shoulder, known as adhesive capsulitis.
What Is Frozen Shoulder or Adhesive Capsulitis?
Frozen shoulder is a painful condition characterised by a gradual onset of stiffness and restricted movement in the shoulder. It occurs due to inflammation and thickening of the shoulder joint capsule, making simple daily tasks like dressing, combing hair, or reaching overhead difficult. Many women also experience pain when lying on the affected shoulder.
This condition can be particularly challenging during menopause, as it may develop slowly and interfere with sleep, comfort, and mobility.
What Causes Frozen Shoulder in Menopause?
There is a well-documented connection between frozen shoulder and menopause. The primary cause is the sharp decline in oestrogen levels (by up to 90%), which plays a vital role in maintaining connective tissue health.
Oestrogen helps regulate collagen production, keeping the shoulder capsule flexible and hydrated. When oestrogen levels drop, this process is disrupted, leading to several changes that cause a frozen shoulder:
- Stiffening and Scarring: The capsule and ligaments lose water content and elasticity, making them thicker, stiffer, and more prone to adhesions (scarring).
- Inflammation: Low oestrogen levels can affect blood vessel tone and increase local inflammation. Reduced microcirculation in the joint tissues further contributes to the stiffness and pain.
- Associated Conditions: Menopause also increases the risk of developing metabolic conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disorders, which are both independently linked to a higher incidence of frozen shoulder.
How Is Frozen Shoulder Treated?
The goals of frozen shoulder treatment are alleviation of pain, improvement of range of motion and preservation of shoulder joint function.
1. Medications
Over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol (also known as Panadol or Acetaminophen) and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with frozen shoulder. In some cases, your health provider might prescribe strong medications.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy plays an essential role in recovery, helping restore movement and flexibility. Exercises such as pendulum swings, wall climbs, towel stretches, and cross-over arm stretches can improve shoulder mobility when performed consistently.
3. Injections (Shoulder Joint Hydrodilatation)
While frozen shoulder is a self-limiting condition, its natural recovery process can take up to two years. For many patients, this long and painful delay is not an acceptable option. In these cases, an interventional pain specialist can perform hydrodilatation to speed up recovery.
This is an image-guided procedure where a large volume of saline and anti-inflammatory medication is injected directly into the shoulder joint. This fluid pressure acts to stretch the tight capsule, release the adhesions (scar tissue), and reduce inflammation. The majority of patients require only a single injection and often report a rapid improvement in both pain and range of motion.
4. Surgery
Surgery is rarely needed, but may be considered if pain and stiffness persist after conservative treatments. Options include manipulation under anaesthesia or arthroscopic capsular release, where a small camera is inserted into the shoulder to release the thickened joint capsule carefully.
Get Expert Care for Frozen Shoulder in Singapore
At Alleviate Pain Clinic, we have helped many patients manage and recover from frozen shoulder during menopause using advanced, evidence-based treatments. If you’ve been diagnosed with frozen shoulder or suspect you may have it, our experienced shoulder pain specialist in Singapore can assess your condition and create a personalised treatment plan to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you move comfortably again.
Book a consultation today at our pain clinic and take the first step towards lasting relief.
