Hello, I’m 45 years old and experiencing signs and symptoms that I’m in perimenopause. I take HRT which has considerably eased what were awful symptoms but I still seem to have some weakness in my ankle which I am worried about.

Unfortunately, I can't say for sure what might be causing this weakness. We do know that menopause can have a part to play in muscle and joint problems as hormonal fluctuations can affect the hydration and stability of our joints to some degree. Also, from a more practical point of view, it is a time when our bodies are going through lots of changes, so we often see historical injuries flag up again.

At this time, it can often be helpful just to look after yourself so take a little step back. If you exercise regularly, for example, try to reduce the intensity of your regimes, just a little, until your hormones start to settle again. You could try some different, low impact activities such as swimming and walking too.

It's also important to ensure you are properly hydrated (drink at least 1.5-2l of plain, still water daily), and following an anti-inflammatory diet. We have a blog around this topic with some tips you may find helpful. I've included the link below:

https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/muscles-joints/foods-that-make-muscle-and-joint-pain-worse/