Why is menopause making me so achy?

Q:

After I hit menopause, I decided to be vigilant about eating mostly lean meats and veggies and taking a daily multivitamin to feel my best. But I actually feel worse since making these changes: My joints are stiff and sore, and my interest in sex has taken a nosedive. What gives?

A:

While an increase in joint pain and a decrease in libido can be typical signs of menopause, it’s possible an iron overload from your otherwise healthy changes might be the culprit. Here’s why: Women lose iron through menstrual blood, but when we stop menstruating, the body has no way to get rid of the iron—so levels can rise in the blood, liver and heart, causing them to work less efficiently and triggering the symptoms you describe.

My advice is to visit your doctor for blood testing (including a serum ferritin test, which measures the amount of iron stored in your liver). If you do have an iron overload, she may recommend donating blood to lower your levels. You should also check your new multivitamin and make sure it doesn’t contain iron. If it does, I suggest switching to one that’s iron-free. And since beef is high in iron, I advise eating it only two to three times a week and subbing in protein sources that are lower in the mineral (such as poultry, fish and eggs) at other meals.

Also smart: eating three to five daily servings of whole grains, nuts and lentils, as they all contain phytic acid, a compound that binds to excess iron and flushes it from the body. Finally, since healthy greens, such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard, are also high in iron, I suggest limiting your intake to two cups per day.

You should notice a marked improvement in your symptoms within four weeks of making these changes. But if problems persist, return to your doctor for more options.