World Menopause Day 2026; Chronic Pain at Midlife
18 October marks World Menopause Day, organised by the International Menopause Society.
This year’s theme is Chronic Pain at Midlife.
Chronic pain — pain lasting or recurring for more than three months — is common during and after the menopause transition. It is often underestimated and has sometimes been dismissed. This year’s campaign focuses on better recognition and evidence-based care.
Key facts
• Women are up to 70% more likely than men to experience chronic pain
• Almost 3 in 4 women experience joint or muscle pain during perimenopause
• Migraine is a leading cause of disability in women aged 15–49
• Fibromyalgia is around three times more common in women than in men
Pain at midlife is real and has physical causes, even when tests appear normal. It can involve more than one type of pain at the same time.
“Women’s pain has too often been dismissed through gendered stereotypes, and labelled ‘emotional’ rather than properly investigated and treated. Chronic pain at midlife should be recognized as a key component of menopause care.”
— Professor Rossella Nappi, IMS President
What can help:
Many women find improvement with a combination of approaches:
• Regular movement, especially strength-based exercise
• Better sleep and stress management
• Physiotherapy
• Talking therapies (such as CBT)
• Appropriate medication
• For some, carefully considered menopausal hormone therapy
Lifestyle changes often work gradually. Discussing a personalised plan with a healthcare professional is recommended rather than accepting ongoing pain as inevitable.
How St Wulfstan Surgery can support you:
If joint pain, muscle aches, migraine, pelvic pain, or other chronic discomfort is affecting your sleep, work, exercise, or daily life, please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment.
Bringing notes about your symptoms and any questions you have can help make the consultation more useful. We are here to listen and support appropriate next steps.
Useful resources
• Campaign website: www.worldmenopauseday.com [worldmenopauseday.com]
• IMS World Menopause Day 2026 page: imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day-2026 [imsociety.org]
• Factsheet (PDF): WMD26-Factsheet.pdf [imsociety.org]
#WorldMenopauseDay #WorldMenopauseDay2026 #ChronicPainAtMidlife