A recent study identified calluses as one of the most common causes of foot pain in older adults. By the time you reach your 40s and 50s, your feet have likely endured years of wear and tear. With the onset of menopause, these issues can become more pronounced, especially since foot pain tends to affect women more than men.
Declining estrogen levels reduce the body’s ability to retain moisture, resulting in skin dryness, including on the feet. This increased dryness can contribute to the following issues:
Thickened skin around the heels, which can lead to fissures (painful cracks that can bleed or get infected)
Worsening of existing calluses, as areas of hardened skin become more pronounced and uncomfortable