I am 49. Became menopausal 1 year ago. Since then I have developed painful tendinitis in both Achilles, both wrists and one elbow. None are resolving, despite months of physiotherapy. Needless to say they are incapacitating, and destoying my lifestyle. Prior to menopause I was very active in outdoor activities. I am beginning to think the tendon problems are related to estrogen deficiency. Has anyone tried hormone treatment for tendinitis? I am also considering acupuncture/chinese medicine. Any advise would be appreciated. I am becoming desperate!!

Jackie -sue - Hi, I think there may well be a link with peri & tendonitis. I developed achilles tendonitis for the first time ever last August in both ankles, just by crouching down to do gardening one morning (my ankles are nearly better now for everyday walking, but it has taken 6 months.) I still dare not use the treadmill at the gym though as this exacerbates them. I wore support bandages for a good 8 weeks at first and then whenever they felt a bit worse or i had to walk far etc. I still place them on a hot water bottle at night and take regular warm morning baths to warm them up before i go anywhere. Tinkybug also suggested a hot cream which is readily available in the uS containing chilli pepper capsaicin. You can search on her posts or pm her for details.
The weird thing is i have also developed tennis elbow (which is a similar thing) in both elbows about 6 weeks ago, so i can sympathise. I am wearing an elbow strap to help with the worst one. It is gradually healing. Also i got inflamed rib cartlidge "costochondritis" around 3 months ago, also for the first time ever. I think peri makes us more prone to pulling and inflaming things.
So I would say support bandages & straps, heat, rest & capsaicin cream are the things i have found have helped. i did get some acupuncture for my worst tennis elbow which did help a bit too. (I go for acupuncture to help with my anxiety & palps every 2 weeks anyway!)

Hope this helps!

Ok, at the risk of sounding "new age-y" here I can tell you what has helped me after more than a year of the same thing. Magnets. Yes, I know, sounds quacky. But I have had a horrible case of tendonitis in my achilles and an unknown problem in my shoulder for over a year. The tendonitis was so bad that sometimes I could barely hobble around. I also have some arthritis in my feet. But it had gotten somewhat better but it wasn't great. I happened to go to a horse show where this guy was selling these really cute bracelets, ankle bracelets and necklaces with magnet clasps. He told us about them and that he and his wife are both medical professionals and had noticed a different in pain in patients using magnets. So, being that they were fairly inexpensive, I bought a bracelet and ankle bracelet. Didn't think any more about it. Went to the horse show (it was out of town) but when I went to breakfast the next morning I noticed that I hadn't had any problem getting out of bed onto the floor. It helped the arthritis that fast. Again, I didn't think more about it until I was home for a week or two. One night I forgot to put those suckers back on when I went to bed and had to get up to go downstairs for something. OMG, I hobbled down those stairs again like I was 90!!! Couldn't figure it out until I went into the bathroom and noticed them on the counter. I put those things back on so fast. Both my shoulder and the tendon have been helped by wearing them. I did recently lose the bracelet and I have noticed that my shoulder pain came back again. You can bet I'm finding their email address and ordering another dozen or so! I can't believe that it helps but it definitely does help me. If you want his email address just email me and I'll give it to you.