Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
So why are more women in perimenopause experiencing TMJD symptoms?
Two hormones, estrogen and relaxin, play a direct role in jaw joint health. Here's how 👇
🦷 Relaxin is known for loosening ligaments during pregnancy. It can also loosen the ligaments that stabilize the disc inside your jaw joint, leading to misalignment or dislocation.
💊 Estrogen and relaxin together are associated with degeneration in the TMJ, which may explain why so many women notice jaw symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, when these hormone levels begin to drop.
😴 And it doesn't stop at the jaw. These same hormonal shifts reduce muscle tone in the throat, which can affect breathing during sleep. Women who have never had sleep issues may suddenly find themselves waking or not sleeping well without understanding why.
Questions or comments? Sound off below!
So why are more women in perimenopause experiencing TMJD symptoms?
Two hormones, estrogen and relaxin, play a direct role in jaw joint health. Here's how 👇
🦷 Relaxin is known for loosening ligaments during pregnancy. It can also loosen the ligaments that stabilize the disc inside your jaw joint, leading to misalignment or dislocation.
💊 Estrogen and relaxin together are associated with degeneration in the TMJ, which may explain why so many women notice jaw symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, when these hormone levels begin to drop.
😴 And it doesn't stop at the jaw. These same hormonal shifts reduce muscle tone in the throat, which can affect breathing during sleep. Women who have never had sleep issues may suddenly find themselves waking or not sleeping well without understanding why.
Questions or comments? Sound off below!
