10: Glute Tendinopathy & The Impact of Hormones in a Female Runner During the Menopause Transition

Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles, a podcast where real runner stories meet clinical expertise. In this episode, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius present a common but often misdiagnosed case of glute tendinopathy in a female runner during the menopause transition.This case goes over running biomechanics, hormonal changes, nutrition, sleep, and recovery. The team explores how perimenopause and menopause-related hormonal shifts particularly changes in estrogen can affect tendon health, joint lubrication, gut function, nutrient absorption, sleep quality, and overall healing capacity.This episode discusses misconceptions around weight, health, fueling, and aging, emphasizing that bodies are meant to change and that under-fueling, overtraining, and “black-and-white” health advice can slow recovery and increase injury risk. The hosts discuss why glute tendinopathy is often misdiagnosed as bursitis, how to properly evaluation lateral hip pain, and why a stepwise, individualized approach to care is essential.Some of the main topics include:-The role of hormones in tendon health and injury risk-Why weight is not a reliable indicator of health-The importance of adequate fueling, including carbohydrates, during midlife transitions-How sleep, stress, and digestion impact healing-Why interdisciplinary care leads to better outcomes for runnersThis episode reinforces a core theme of the podcast: there are no one-size-fits-all answers in medicine or performance. By understanding the whole person and working with the body rather than against it runners can recover more effectively, reduce injury risk, and continue doing what they love.                                                                                                                      00:00 Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles01:25 Meet the Hosts & Their Clinical Roles04:00 What We’ve Been Working On Lately06:15 Kelsey’s New Ebook: Miles & Meals09:30 Outreach, Education & Bridging the Gap in Running Medicine13:10 Returning to Running After Health Challenges16:20 Introducing the Case: Lateral Hip Pain in a Midlife Runner19:45 Nutrition, Hormones & Gut Health in Perimenopause24:30 Bodies Are Meant to Change28:40 Weight Is Not Health & The Risk of Under-Fueling33:20 Why Glute Tendinopathy Is Often Misdiagnosed as Bursitis38:10 Estrogen, Collagen & Tendon Healing43:50 Biomechanics, Hip Load & Physical Therapy Considerations49:30 Pelvic Floor, Core Health & Hip Pain53:40 Sleep, Stress & Recovery During Midlife Transitions57:45 Doing Less to Heal More01:01:30 Key Takeaways from Each Expert01:04:10 Final Thoughts & How to Connect with the TeamBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-running-injury-podcast-formerly-interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at [email protected].