Joint conditions in women
Joints let your bones move smoothly. Swelling and morning stiffness, rather than ache alone, can point to inflammation.
Conditions that affect your joints 13
Autoimmune and chronic conditions that can involve your joints. Each guide covers early signs, labs to ask about, and when to see a doctor.
Ankylosing spondylitis
AutoimmuneAn immune-mediated arthritis that mainly affects the spine and the joints where the spine meets the pelvis, causing back pain and stiffness that improve with movement.
Mixed connective tissue disease
AutoimmuneAn overlap condition with features of lupus, scleroderma, and myositis, marked by high levels of an antibody called anti-U1 RNP.
Osteoarthritis
ChronicThe most common type of arthritis. The cartilage that cushions the ends of bones breaks down over time, causing pain and stiffness, most often in the knees, hips, hands, and spine.
Osteoporosis
ChronicA condition in which bones become thinner and weaker, so they break more easily. It usually causes no symptoms until a bone breaks.
Rheumatoid arthritis
AutoimmuneThe immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing painful swelling that can damage cartilage and bone if untreated.
Rheumatologic conditions
ChronicRheumatology covers conditions of the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissue, and many of them are autoimmune. This overview explains how inflammatory joint pain differs from mechanical pain, and where to read about specific conditions.
Crohn's disease & ulcerative colitis
AutoimmuneImmune-mediated conditions in which the immune system drives chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. They're often grouped with autoimmune diseases.
Polymyalgia rheumatica
AutoimmuneAn immune-mediated inflammatory condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck, and hips, almost always after age 50.
Psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis
AutoimmuneAn immune-mediated condition in which skin cells build up too quickly, forming thick, scaly patches. Up to about 1 in 3 people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
Sjögren's disease
AutoimmuneThe immune system targets the glands that make tears and saliva, causing lasting dryness. It can also affect joints, nerves, and other organs.
Chronic infections
ChronicOngoing symptoms that follow or are linked to an infection or exposure. Some links are well established, and others are still debated.
Lupus
AutoimmuneA whole-body autoimmune disease that can inflame the skin, joints, kidneys, blood, heart, lungs, and brain.
Perimenopause and menopause
ChronicMenopause is the point 12 months after your last period, when the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs. Perimenopause is the years of shifting hormones before it, when most symptoms begin.
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Signs worth getting checked
- Swollen, warm joints
- Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes
- Pain in the same joints on both sides of the body
- Swollen, sausage-like fingers or toes
Ingredients that affect your joints
Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements commonly used for the joints. Each one links to its full guide.
About your joints
What it does
Where two bones meet, cartilage cushions the ends and a thin lining (the synovium) makes fluid that lubricates the joint. In inflammatory arthritis, the immune system attacks this lining.
Common issues
- Osteoarthritis (wear and tear)
- Tendonitis and overuse injuries
- Joint hypermobility
- Joint aches with low vitamin D, thyroid problems, or perimenopause
Wondering if your symptoms fit a pattern?
Dr. Lesher is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in women's autoimmune and chronic conditions. Since 2020, she has helped more than 900 patients overcome and heal from their conditions.