The more I researched, the more one thing became clear:
This wasn’t traditional plantar fasciitis. It was part of a larger breakdown happening in women during perimenopause.
It’s called Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM).
“Women going through perimenopause are silently suffering from musculoskeletal breakdown now recognized as part of a broader condition called Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause (MSM) — affecting up to 2 out of 3 of women during this transition and most don’t even know.
Yet most doctors are still focused on weight, age, or footwear — and completely miss what’s really going on.” - (Adapted from Kim et al., BMC Public Health, 2024 and UK Biobank cohort data)
What shocked me most was this: When estrogen declines, it doesn’t just cause hot flashes or mood changes. It dries out the plantar fascia — the connective tissue under your feet that cushions and supports your muscles, joints, and feet.
Imagine your fascia like a sponge. When it's hydrated, it's soft, springy, and protective. When dry?
It cracks, stiffens, and tears.
This was called fascia dehydration. And it’s the real reason so many women wake up feeling like they’re walking on broken glass.