Gluteal tendinopathy is a type of tendon disorder in the hip and buttocks area. The disorder causes the tendon tissue to break down or deteriorate. Gluteal tendinopathy is a common cause of hip pain, especially in older women. 

Women who are over 40, especially those who have completed menopause, are more prone to hip pain and gluteal tendinopathy

declining estrogen, which affects cartilage, lubrication, and inflammation, leading to stiffness, and aches with relief often found through exercise, anti-inflammatory diets, stress management, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or supplements like Vitamin D.

How does Cortisol Dysregulation play a role in this?

What Is Cortisol Dysregulation?

Cortisol is often called the body’s “stress hormone” because it helps us handle physical and emotional challenges. Produced by the adrenal glands, its levels rise and fall each day in a healthy, natural rhythm controlled by the brain’s hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

But when stress is relentless or this finely tuned system falters, cortisol can stay elevated for too long—a state known as cortisol dysregulation. High, prolonged cortisol levels can disrupt key functions, including immune system performance, metabolism, and the regulation of inflammation. Over time, these disruptions can damage tissues and aggravate inflammation, lead to aches, and foster conditions that cause chronic pain . Understanding how cortisol imbalance sets the stage for joint and muscle problems helps illuminate why it’s such a crucial factor in ongoing pain, especially as women age.

Menopause marks a major hormonal milestone, as the ovaries slow and eventually stop producing oestrogen. While most people connect menopause with changes in fertility, oestrogen actually influences many other systems—including the way our bodies manage stress.

Oestrogen acts as a natural buffer, helping to keep cortisol levels in check. When oestrogen drops during menopause, the body loses some of its ability to moderate stress hormones, often resulting in higher and more persistent cortisol levels .

Research has shown that menopausal hormonal changes don’t just affect mood—they can also intensify pain and inflammation. For example, conditions like greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), which impacts the outer hip, are notably more common in postmenopausal women (Ganderton et al., 2016). Additionally, studies have found that joint and muscle pain, particularly in areas like the hips and shoulders, becomes more pronounced during menopause (Park & Kim, 2012). This combination of increased cortisol and lowered oestrogen creates an environment where pain can thrive—especially in the hips, which carry much of the body’s weight and are prone to stress.

The link between cortisol imbalance and hip pain is both complex and significant. Persistently high cortisol levels can weaken bones and contribute to the breakdown of cartilage , making joints more fragile. At the same time, an overstimulated stress response fuels inflammation, further irritating the joints and surrounding tissues.

This chronic inflammation can throw off the delicate balance between muscles and bones, changing movement patterns and increasing the strain on hips. As pain and inflammation disrupt daily life, they can interfere with sleep, activity, and overall well-being—creating a cycle that perpetuates discomfort and hormonal disturbance.

What’s especially important is that many women don’t realize that their hip pain is driven by more than just aging or physical activity. Instead, it often results from a deeper interplay between stress, hormone changes, and the body’s pain response. Shifting the focus from simply easing symptoms to understanding—and addressing—these root causes is crucial for lasting relief.

So, what do you do about it? 

About half of people with gluteal tendinopathy will get better without treatment — but symptom relief may take up to a year. 

Supplements:  Ashwagandha, L-theanine, Magnesium, Omega-3s, and Vitamin C are frequently cited for potentially lowering cortisol, working best with lifestyle changes like exercise and stress management; Reduce Stress. Deep breathing.

Physical Therapy

Bloodwork & Imaging to pinpoint area

Apply Heat

Yoga & Stretching

Bottom Line - you do not have to live with pain. You are not meant to live with pain. Supplements and movement as well as relaxation and good sleep will help you navigate this menopausal challenge. 

Research: The Cleveland Clinic & The London Cartilage Clinic

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For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media:

Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach

https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1

Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach

https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy

FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1

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