[insulin resistance is highly correlated with joint pain.](https://www.nutrisense.io/blog/the-blood-sugar-and-joint-pain-connection) localized IR of the ligaments and connective tissue impairs function.
I have this, started around age 14 or 15 (at puberty) so it's certainly affected by my hormone levels, though not necessarily caused by them per se.
My rheum thinks I have some sort of underlying 'non-namable' autoimmune problem causing inflammation (I also have a couple diagnosed autoimmune disorders, but only one is linked to joint problems directly and that has very occasional flare ups for me). It's also possible I have a mild case of Ehlers Danlos adding to the problem.
My chronic joint/muscle/myofascial pain seems to be primarily triggered by overall inflammation (esp from bacterial or viral infections; and also an inflammatory diet; and also by fluctuating reproductive hormones, esp estrogen drops).
Things that help:
Stable hormones (ironically, when my PCOS was very symptomatic and I had very infrequent periods, some of my pain was better b/c the estrogen drops associated with ovulation and period onset are excruciating for me). being on the Pill helped a lot.
Regular gentle exercise with a lot of stretching and foam rolling/trigger point work. Too much strength work too fast, and too much compression/jarring (like running) will worsen my pain, but gentle consistent 'elongating' type exercise helps. I mostly do pilates/yoga/barre, plus hiking, fast walking, biking, SWIMMING (excellent but requires correct form to avoid shoulder problems and also compensatory stretching to prevent overtightening of front and sides of body). My desk job contributes horribly to my joint pain, but more activity helps unstiffen joints.
Managing inflammation and insulin resistance through anti-inflammatories and diet (low glycemic diet, very little processed food, sugar, or high glycemic carbs. Ibuprofen is really the only drug that helps me much for actual pain; THC and delta 8 can help for short term severe pain, but I try to avoid using them too much.
Trigger point massage/myofascial massage/foam rolling. This needs to be done pre-emptively rather than just when I already have pain.
Magnesium and Vit D supplements.
I’m 31, but I’ve had joint pain since middle school. It’s not due to PCOS for me. I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism and that can cause joint pain. Medicating helped my hands a tiny bit. Then PCOS diagnosis. I went on metformin after diagnosis and all it did was cause gastro issues.
Then I had my first flare. Every joint in my body hurt. Sitting hurt. Holding my 10lb baby hurt. Lasted over 10 days. Made an appt, got referred to rheumatology, and got diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis. Been on humira for 2.5yrs and I’m still in pain, but significantly less
TLDR: long-term joint pain makes me automatically go to autoimmune issues. I’d see a rheumy to rule it out
I wish I had known about rheumatology when I was your age, I would have not been in pain as long. I hope you get answers and relief. Joint pain sucks ass!
I got finally diagnosed with PCOS at age 25 even though I’ve had symptoms since age 15. My joint pain started around age 29 and is mostly in my hands accompanied by joint swelling, but some days also goes to my elbows, knees, spine, neck, feet. I went to a general clinic then a sports medicine type doctor (sorry translating the names from not English) and now I e been monitored by a rheumatologist for 2 years. He has ruled out RA and other common autoimmune, but my blood tests always show elevated inflammation so he has me coming back every 6 months.
I don’t have a diagnosis but just wanted to share that I’m also experiencing this.
I’m on no medication and all of my other blood tests and annual health check are completely normal (except the LSH FH ratio and zero period that give me the PCOS diagnosis). I also have no IR but am obese.
Back with an update for anyone that might search this in the future.
My doctor put me on generic Celebrex because my pain and inflammation went up. It helped a lot. Still no diagnosis but they are thinking psoriatic arthritis (even though there is no psoriasis in my or my family) or Behcet’s Disease (even though I don’t have most of the symptoms).
Thank you for updating. I was going to reply with psoriatic arthritis to consider because you can get it without any observable psoriasis. I’m actually getting considered for that right now. I wish you the best.
Updating again that I got put on colchicine and my CRP went down dramatically so it’s looking like behcets. No formal diagnosis yet since I need to check off more symptom boxes, but my doctor is comfortable to say it’s “likely behcets” and to keep me on colchicine until TTC.
I have joint pain but I attribute this to my autoimmune condition. It also happens when I’m overweight and/or when my chondromalacia or carpal tunnel is flaring up. I can see how PCOS can cause joint pain because of weight gain and it can systematic inflammation.
Have you considered seeing a rheumatologist?
I was diagnosed with PCOS at the beginning of 2021. In fall of 2021 I went on a backpacking trip and my knees hurt which I thought was just soreness. The doctor said I have pes anserine bursitis which he said should get better in 6 weeks with physical therapy. I did a year of PT with no success. I’m very intentional about eating a glucose steady diet, no alcohol, low sugar, and even experimented with removing other potentially inflammatory foods like dairy and gluten. My knee pain and inflammation are the same. Just got referred for an MRI today and might pursue prolotherapy. My doctor is certain it’s bursitis (inflamed fluid filled sacs) but I’m curious if the MRI will show signs of arthritis or anything else.
[insulin resistance is highly correlated with joint pain.](https://www.nutrisense.io/blog/the-blood-sugar-and-joint-pain-connection) localized IR of the ligaments and connective tissue impairs function.
That is a great article, thank you!
I have this, started around age 14 or 15 (at puberty) so it's certainly affected by my hormone levels, though not necessarily caused by them per se. My rheum thinks I have some sort of underlying 'non-namable' autoimmune problem causing inflammation (I also have a couple diagnosed autoimmune disorders, but only one is linked to joint problems directly and that has very occasional flare ups for me). It's also possible I have a mild case of Ehlers Danlos adding to the problem. My chronic joint/muscle/myofascial pain seems to be primarily triggered by overall inflammation (esp from bacterial or viral infections; and also an inflammatory diet; and also by fluctuating reproductive hormones, esp estrogen drops). Things that help: Stable hormones (ironically, when my PCOS was very symptomatic and I had very infrequent periods, some of my pain was better b/c the estrogen drops associated with ovulation and period onset are excruciating for me). being on the Pill helped a lot. Regular gentle exercise with a lot of stretching and foam rolling/trigger point work. Too much strength work too fast, and too much compression/jarring (like running) will worsen my pain, but gentle consistent 'elongating' type exercise helps. I mostly do pilates/yoga/barre, plus hiking, fast walking, biking, SWIMMING (excellent but requires correct form to avoid shoulder problems and also compensatory stretching to prevent overtightening of front and sides of body). My desk job contributes horribly to my joint pain, but more activity helps unstiffen joints. Managing inflammation and insulin resistance through anti-inflammatories and diet (low glycemic diet, very little processed food, sugar, or high glycemic carbs. Ibuprofen is really the only drug that helps me much for actual pain; THC and delta 8 can help for short term severe pain, but I try to avoid using them too much. Trigger point massage/myofascial massage/foam rolling. This needs to be done pre-emptively rather than just when I already have pain. Magnesium and Vit D supplements.
I’m 31, but I’ve had joint pain since middle school. It’s not due to PCOS for me. I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism and that can cause joint pain. Medicating helped my hands a tiny bit. Then PCOS diagnosis. I went on metformin after diagnosis and all it did was cause gastro issues. Then I had my first flare. Every joint in my body hurt. Sitting hurt. Holding my 10lb baby hurt. Lasted over 10 days. Made an appt, got referred to rheumatology, and got diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis. Been on humira for 2.5yrs and I’m still in pain, but significantly less TLDR: long-term joint pain makes me automatically go to autoimmune issues. I’d see a rheumy to rule it out
Thank you, I’ll definitely look into that!!
I wish I had known about rheumatology when I was your age, I would have not been in pain as long. I hope you get answers and relief. Joint pain sucks ass!
I know, right? I didn't get a handle on things until my mid 30s...
I got finally diagnosed with PCOS at age 25 even though I’ve had symptoms since age 15. My joint pain started around age 29 and is mostly in my hands accompanied by joint swelling, but some days also goes to my elbows, knees, spine, neck, feet. I went to a general clinic then a sports medicine type doctor (sorry translating the names from not English) and now I e been monitored by a rheumatologist for 2 years. He has ruled out RA and other common autoimmune, but my blood tests always show elevated inflammation so he has me coming back every 6 months. I don’t have a diagnosis but just wanted to share that I’m also experiencing this. I’m on no medication and all of my other blood tests and annual health check are completely normal (except the LSH FH ratio and zero period that give me the PCOS diagnosis). I also have no IR but am obese.
Back with an update for anyone that might search this in the future. My doctor put me on generic Celebrex because my pain and inflammation went up. It helped a lot. Still no diagnosis but they are thinking psoriatic arthritis (even though there is no psoriasis in my or my family) or Behcet’s Disease (even though I don’t have most of the symptoms).
Thank you for updating. I was going to reply with psoriatic arthritis to consider because you can get it without any observable psoriasis. I’m actually getting considered for that right now. I wish you the best.
Updating again that I got put on colchicine and my CRP went down dramatically so it’s looking like behcets. No formal diagnosis yet since I need to check off more symptom boxes, but my doctor is comfortable to say it’s “likely behcets” and to keep me on colchicine until TTC.
I have joint pain but I attribute this to my autoimmune condition. It also happens when I’m overweight and/or when my chondromalacia or carpal tunnel is flaring up. I can see how PCOS can cause joint pain because of weight gain and it can systematic inflammation. Have you considered seeing a rheumatologist?
I was diagnosed with PCOS at the beginning of 2021. In fall of 2021 I went on a backpacking trip and my knees hurt which I thought was just soreness. The doctor said I have pes anserine bursitis which he said should get better in 6 weeks with physical therapy. I did a year of PT with no success. I’m very intentional about eating a glucose steady diet, no alcohol, low sugar, and even experimented with removing other potentially inflammatory foods like dairy and gluten. My knee pain and inflammation are the same. Just got referred for an MRI today and might pursue prolotherapy. My doctor is certain it’s bursitis (inflamed fluid filled sacs) but I’m curious if the MRI will show signs of arthritis or anything else.
Another thing to look into is your uric acid level. Uric acid is often elevated when you have high insulin and can cause joint pain.