If someone had told me years ago that menopause would throw the most bizarre, completely random health issues my way, I might not have believed them. In fact, I’m sure I would have laughed it off, confident that menopause was simply about hot flashes and mood swings. But here I am, in the middle of one of the most surreal weeks of my life: I have lockjaw.
Yes, lockjaw. Of all the unexpected symptoms, this one came out of nowhere. For the past week, I haven’t been able to open my mouth more than two and a half fingers wide (yes, I measured!). Trying to eat, talk, or even yawn has been a new kind of challenge, and I still have no idea why it’s happening.
Menopause, The Gift That Keeps on Giving (Or Not)
Since entering menopause, I’ve dealt with a range of “fun” new experiences: hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, hemorrhoids, and more. The more common symptoms, while still unpleasant, are things I expected. But what happens when you start getting the completely random, never-heard-of-this-before symptoms?
I knew menopause would be a wild ride, but it has definitely taken some unexpected twists and turns. You might be thinking, “Wait, lockjaw? How is that even connected to menopause?” I asked myself the same thing. Is this just another side effect of stress? Is my body reacting to the hormonal roller coaster in ways I’ve never imagined? I don’t have the answers, but what I do know is that this week has been a real lesson in surrendering to the unknown.
My First Week With Lockjaw
This strange situation started innocuously enough. A bit of discomfort when chewing, maybe a slight tension in my jaw that I chalked up to stress. But within days, it became clear something more was going on. I could barely open my mouth enough to take a bite of food or properly talk without feeling like my face was in a vice grip.
I assumed it would pass, like so many other temporary aches and pains that come and go. But here I am, seven days in, and it’s still locked up tight. I’ve tried stretching my jaw gently, applying heat, and taking it easy on hard foods (goodbye, crunchy snacks). Yet, nothing seems to be working.
So, I did what most of us would do—I started Googling symptoms. Bad idea. As with most online symptom searches, I ended up convinced I had every rare disease under the sun. In reality, though, I’m starting to believe that this is just another delightful part of my menopausal journey.
The Acupuncturist Visit
In a bid to avoid heavy medications or more invasive treatments, I decided to try acupuncture. I’ve always been curious about alternative therapies, and acupuncture seemed like a gentle, non-invasive way to tackle my jaw problem.
The session itself was amazing. If you’ve never tried acupuncture, it’s a surprisingly relaxing experience. The needles are barely noticeable, and the sensation is more of a deep relaxation than anything else. My acupuncturist was calm, empathetic, and truly focused on helping me unlock my jaw. As the session went on, I could feel the tension in my body melt away.
When it was over, I felt lighter and more relaxed than I had in days. But—my jaw was still locked.
While acupuncture didn’t solve the problem immediately, it definitely helped with the overall stress and tension I was feeling, so I’m not ruling it out as part of a holistic approach to managing this issue.
Is Stress the Culprit?
One of my ongoing challenges with menopause has been managing stress. Hormonal changes, work, and life in general have all taken their toll on me mentally and physically. I’ve often noticed that when I’m under a lot of stress, it shows up in my body in strange ways.
Lockjaw might just be another one of those physical manifestations of stress. The tension in my jaw could be my body’s way of telling me to slow down, breathe, and let go of the constant anxiety I sometimes feel. But it’s easier said than done, especially when every day brings new demands.
Meditation, yoga, and journaling have been some of my go-to strategies for managing stress during this stage of life. I’ve found that focusing on breathwork can sometimes relieve tension in unexpected places (although, so far, it hasn’t unlocked my jaw!).
What’s Next?
As of right now, my jaw is still stuck. I’m trying to stay hopeful that this bizarre situation will resolve itself. My next step is to visit a physical therapist who specializes in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It seems like this might be part of the problem, and I’m hoping for some insight into how to release this tension.
I’ve also realized that I need to focus even more on self-care. Menopause has made me acutely aware of how important it is to prioritize my health—both physically and mentally. Even when I’m feeling okay, I need to keep up with my routines of exercise, meditation, and mindful eating because it’s all too easy to let these things slip.
The Menopause Connection: When Everything’s a Mystery
Menopause is a deeply personal experience, and no two women will go through it the same way. That being said, one thing I’ve learned is that it’s unpredictable. I had no idea that entering menopause would mean dealing with issues like hemorrhoids (which I’ve blogged about before) or, most recently, lockjaw. It’s not exactly the picture of middle age I had in mind.
What’s frustrating is the lack of information. So many symptoms of menopause still aren’t widely talked about, and it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one going through them. For example, how many of us have had conversations about jaw tension or lockjaw as part of menopause? Probably not many.
Yet, as I’ve talked to more women, I’m discovering that others are going through similarly random, unexpected issues. Whether it’s skin changes, digestive issues, or strange aches and pains, menopause seems to throw the whole body into a state of flux.
Listening to Our Bodies
If there’s one thing I’m learning through all of this, it’s to listen to my body. When something feels off, it’s usually trying to tell me something. Whether it’s stress, hormonal imbalances, or even just the wear and tear of daily life, my body has its own way of speaking—and sometimes that language is lockjaw.
I’m not going to ignore this. I’ll continue to seek treatment, whether it’s physical therapy, acupuncture, or something else. But more importantly, I’m making an effort to check in with myself more regularly. How am I feeling emotionally? What’s going on in my life that could be contributing to these physical symptoms?
Moving Forward (With a Locked Jaw)
For now, I’m still living with a locked jaw, and it’s an inconvenience to say the least. I miss being able to eat my favorite foods, and talking has become something I have to be more mindful about. But I’m trying to stay positive and patient, reminding myself that this is just one more challenge I’ll overcome.
To anyone else dealing with the strange, random issues that menopause throws your way—whether it’s lockjaw, hot flashes, or anything in between—I see you. This stage of life can feel isolating at times, but we’re in this together.
Menopause may be unpredictable, but it’s also a chance to reconnect with ourselves, learn what we need, and adapt to the new realities of our bodies. So, here’s to all the unexpected twists and turns. We’ll get through them—jaw locked or not.
In solidarity and strength,
Evelyn