It’s Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week, and while there are plenty of important conversations happening about women’s health, we wanted to talk about something that probably doesn’t get much attention: your feet.
Women’s Health Week is a chance to check in with our health at every stage of life. And as podiatrists, there is one thing we regularly see that surprises people.
Your feet can change too.
Pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause and ageing can all coincide with changes throughout the body. Because our feet keep us standing, walking, exercising and doing the things we enjoy every day, sometimes those changes become noticeable there too.
You may notice your shoes fitting differently. Your feet may ache somewhere they never used to. Or perhaps the shoes you have worn for years suddenly just don’t feel right.
Here are a few things we think every woman should know about her feet.
At a Glance
Your feet can change throughout different stages of life.
You may notice:
- swelling or tighter shoes during pregnancy
- changes in foot size or shape
- new aches or stiffness
- changes in balance, strength or joint movement as you get older
- footwear that no longer feels as comfortable as it once did
The important message?
Foot pain isn’t automatically something you have to accept because you’re pregnant, going through menopause or getting older.
If pain is persistent or affecting your walking, exercise or everyday life, it may be worth finding out what is actually causing it.
Can hormones really affect your feet?
Yes, although it isn’t quite as simple as saying that hormones directly cause every foot problem.
Hormonal changes happen alongside many other changes in the body that can influence our bones, muscles, joints and connective tissues.
That means your feet and lower limbs may feel different during certain stages of life.
You might notice that:
- your shoes fit differently
- your feet feel more tired or achy
- an old problem starts bothering you again
- you develop discomfort somewhere you haven’t experienced before
The cause will be different for every person, which is why we don’t assume that a new ache is “just hormones”.
Pregnancy can change your feet
We talk about many of the ways the body changes during pregnancy, but feet usually don’t make the list.
Yet they are carrying you through all of it.
During pregnancy, some women notice:
- swollen feet and ankles
- shoes becoming tighter
- tired or aching feet
- heel or arch discomfort
- their usual footwear feeling less comfortable
One thing that often surprises patients is that foot size or shape can change during pregnancy.
For some women, those changes may remain after their baby is born.
So if you have had children and are still buying exactly the same shoe size you wore years ago, it may be worth checking whether it is still the best fit for your feet today.
Sometimes changing footwear is enough to make a big difference to comfort. If you’re unsure what to look for, our podiatrists can also provide individual footwear advice and fitting based on your feet, activity and needs. CPS Footwear Advice and Fitting
What about perimenopause and menopause?
Perimenopause and menopause are another time when women may start noticing changes throughout their bodies.
Hormone levels change, and areas such as bone health, muscle strength, movement and joint health become increasingly important.
Jean Hailes also highlights movement and bone health as important areas of women’s health, including around midlife.
You might notice new aches or stiffness, changes in how comfortable your feet feel when you’re active, or that certain shoes just aren’t working as well for you anymore.
The important thing is not to automatically put every new symptom down to:
“I’m getting older.”
or
“It’s just menopause.”
There are many different reasons feet and lower limbs can become painful.
If something isn’t settling, it is worth understanding what may be contributing rather than simply putting up with it.
Bone health can also become increasingly important as we age. If you would like to understand more about how osteoporosis can affect the feet, mobility and fracture risk, you can read our information on osteoporosis and podiatry care. Learn about osteoporosis and foot health
“But I’ve always been a size 8!”
We hear this regularly in clinic.
And you might have been.
But the feet you have today aren’t necessarily exactly the same as the feet you had at 25.
Pregnancy, ageing and changes over time can influence foot shape, strength, joint movement and what feels comfortable inside a shoe.
That means the size, shape or style you have always bought may not necessarily be the best option for your feet now.
If your favourite shoes suddenly feel too tight, uncomfortable or different, don’t automatically assume there is something wrong with the shoe.
Your feet may have changed too.
Do our feet change as we get older?
They certainly can.
Over time, we can see changes in:
- foot shape
- muscle strength
- balance
- joint movement
- skin and nails
- the type of footwear that feels comfortable
These changes are not automatically a problem.
What matters is whether they are affecting your comfort, mobility or ability to do the things that matter to you.
At Custom Podiatry Services, we look beyond the painful spot itself. Our podiatrists assess foot and lower-limb health and consider factors such as footwear, movement, activity and biomechanics when appropriate.
When is it worth seeing a podiatrist?
You don’t need to see a podiatrist simply because your feet have changed.
But an assessment may be worthwhile if you’re experiencing ongoing:
- heel or arch pain
- pain around the ball of the foot
- foot or ankle pain
- difficulty walking comfortably
- noticeable changes in foot shape or shoe fit
- pain that is stopping you exercising
- symptoms that keep returning
- discomfort that is affecting your everyday activities
As podiatrists, our job isn’t simply to look at where it hurts.
We want to understand why it might be hurting, what has changed and what can realistically help.
Treatment will depend on the individual problem. For some people, education and footwear changes may be enough. Others may benefit from exercises, load modification, taping, orthoses or further investigation.
There is no single treatment that every foot needs.
This Women’s Health Week, check in with your feet too
Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week is a great reminder to make time for your health. Learn more about Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week
We’d encourage you to include your feet in that check-in too.
Ask yourself:
Have my feet changed?
Is something hurting that I’ve been ignoring?
Do my shoes actually fit the feet I have now?
Your feet carry you through pregnancy, midlife, exercise, work, family life and everything in between.
They might not be the first thing you think about during Women’s Health Week, but they are a pretty important part of keeping you moving.
If foot or lower-limb pain is affecting your comfort or activity, our podiatrists at Custom Podiatry Services Parkside and Belair can help you work out what may be contributing and discuss appropriate options with you.
Book an appointment with Custom Podiatry Services
Custom Podiatry Services
Parkside & Belair, Adelaide
Expert lower-limb care, beyond just feet.
