It started as a twinge.
Sandra, 49, noticed some stiffness in her left shoulder when reaching into the backseat of her car. Then it began to ache at night, waking her up in discomfort. Soon, she couldn’t lift her arm above her head without pain, and putting on a bra became an ordeal.
She made an appointment with her doctor. The diagnosis? “Maybe tendonitis. Could just be aging. Take some ibuprofen and try to rest it.”
But rest didn’t help. In fact, her shoulder became more stiff. Her range of motion was decreasing by the week. Frustrated, she turned to Google, and that’s when she stumbled on an episode of the Antigravity Wellness Podcast—an episode that changed everything.
The topic? Frozen Shoulder and Its Surprising Link to Perimenopause.
As she listened, everything clicked. This wasn’t just tendonitis or aging. This was adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder—and it was related to the hormonal shifts she had been experiencing for months.
What Is Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition marked by pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of shoulder motion, often affecting only one side. The shoulder joint capsule thickens and tightens, restricting movement and causing significant discomfort—particularly at night or when reaching overhead.
It affects about 2–5% of the general population, but women in their 40s to 60s, especially those going through perimenopause or menopause, are disproportionately affected.
The Connection Between Frozen Shoulder and Hormones
Although the exact cause of frozen shoulder isn’t always clear, emerging evidence suggests a strong link between estrogen decline and connective tissue changes. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the flexibility and hydration of ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules. As estrogen levels drop in perimenopause and menopause, these tissues can become stiffer and more prone to inflammation.
Other contributing factors include:
- Autoimmune predisposition (especially common in women with thyroid disorders)
- Diabetes or insulin resistance
- Past injury or immobilization
- Stress and cortisol imbalances (which worsen inflammation)
This helps explain why so many women in midlife develop frozen shoulder with no clear “injury” to explain it—and why it’s often dismissed as just another sign of aging.
Common Signs & Symptoms
Frozen shoulder typically progresses in three phases:
- Freezing Phase
- Increasing pain, especially at night
- Gradual loss of motion
- Can last 6 weeks to 9 months
- Increasing pain, especially at night
- Frozen Phase
- Pain may lessen, but stiffness remains
- Daily activities become difficult
- Lasts 4 to 6 months
- Pain may lessen, but stiffness remains
- Thawing Phase
- Slow return of range of motion
- Can take 6 months to 2 years
- Slow return of range of motion
Differential Diagnosis: What Else Could It Be?
Before diagnosing frozen shoulder, it’s important to rule out other causes of shoulder pain or stiffness, including:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Calcific tendonitis
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
- Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck)
- Referred pain from the heart or gallbladder (rare but possible)
Imaging (like X-rays or MRI) may help confirm the diagnosis or rule out other causes, but the clinical exam and history are the primary tools.
Treatment Options for Frozen Shoulder
Treatment depends on the phase and severity but may include:
1. Hormone Support
At Antigravity Wellness, we start by addressing root causes. Supporting declining estrogen—through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) when appropriate—can reduce inflammation, improve connective tissue function, and support healing.
2. Physical Therapy
Regular, gentle stretching and mobility work is key to preventing long-term stiffness. This may include:
- Pendulum swings
- Wall crawls
- Cross-body stretches
We often coordinate care with physical therapists trained in perimenopausal biomechanics.
3. Anti-inflammatory Support
- Supplements like omega-3s, curcumin, and magnesium glycinate
- Cold therapy or infrared sauna
- Functional nutrition to lower inflammation and insulin resistance
4. Manual Therapy
Massage therapy, cupping, or myofascial release can help during the frozen or thawing stages.
5. Steroid Injections or Hydrodilatation
Used selectively for severe cases to reduce inflammation and improve short-term motion.
You’re Not Just “Getting Older”—There’s Help
At Antigravity Wellness, we treat the entire woman. That means when symptoms like frozen shoulder show up during perimenopause or menopause, we don’t dismiss them—we dig deeper. You don’t have to live with pain, stiffness, or confusion about what’s happening to your body.
We believe in education, empowerment, and evidence-based treatment—without the limitations of insurance dictating your care, or providers telling you this is “just part of aging.”
Ready for Answers?
If you’re experiencing symptoms like frozen shoulder, unexplained aches, fatigue, or hormonal changes—and you live in Washington or Oregon State—book your Brief Initial Consult Call today.
Let’s create a personalized plan so you can get back to living freely and fully.
📞 Book your brief initial consult today
References
- Hand, G. C., Athanasou, N. A., Matthews, T., & Carr, A. J. (2007). The pathology of frozen shoulder. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Br), 89(7), 928–932. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17673588/
- Rizk, T. E., & Pinals, R. S. (1982). Frozen shoulder. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, 11(4), 440–452. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7048533/
- Robinson, C. M., Seah, K. T. M., Chee, Y. H., Hindle, P., & Murray, I. R. (2012). Frozen shoulder. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Br), 94(1), 1–9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22219239/
- Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21885699/
- Menopause Society (formerly NAMS). Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35797481/
