What percentage of midlife women experience arthralgia during the menopause transition?

• A. Up to 50%
• B. Less than 5%
• C. 75%
• D. 90%

Answer: (A)

Arthralgia during the menopause transition is a common symptom driven by hormonal fluctuations that affect joints and connective tissues. In midlife women, musculoskeletal discomfort during this period is reported by a substantial portion, making it the most plausible estimate among the options. It’s not a rare issue, but it does not affect everyone, which explains why the other extremes (very low or very high prevalence) don’t fit as well. The important takeaway is that joint and muscle pains are a frequent, but not universal, feature of the transition, often diminishing after menopause.