Exploring The Link Between Menopause, Metabolism, And Frozen Shoulder

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Exploring the association between menopausal status, metabolic health, and frozen shoulder in women: a cross-sectional observational study (MENO-FROST)

• IRAS ID

  360004

• Contact name

  Natalie Shur

• Contact email

  natalie.shur@nottingham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The University of Nottingham

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 3 months, 27 days

• Research summary

  Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that causes stiffness and reduced movement in the shoulder. It most commonly affects women in midlife, but the reasons for this are not fully understood. Many women develop frozen shoulder around the time of the menopause, suggesting that hormonal and metabolic changes may play a role. This research aims to better understand the relationship between menopause, metabolic health (blood sugar control), and frozen shoulder in women.
  In the first part of the study, women with a history of frozen shoulder are invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. This asks about their age, menopausal status, general health, and details about their frozen shoulder, such as when symptoms started and how severe they were. This will help researchers understand patterns in when frozen shoulder develops and whether this relates to menopause. In the second part, a smaller group of women with and without frozen shoulder will be invited to take part in a more detailed assessment. This includes one in-person visit, a fasting blood test, questionnaires about health and lifestyle, and two weeks of wearing small monitoring devices. One device measures physical activity, and the other measures changes in blood sugar levels throughout the day. Participants will also be asked to keep a short diet diary. By improving understanding of how menopause and metabolic health relate to frozen shoulder, this research may help inform future prevention strategies and improve care for women affected by this condition.

• REC name

  South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  26/SW/0075

• Date of REC Opinion

  16 Jul 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion