Do people with hypermobility age better? The Complex Truth Behind Youthful Skin and Painful Joints

According to one study, up to 90% of adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) experience worsening pain and fatigue as they get older, despite natural stiffening of joints. This reveals the nuanced answer to the question: do people with hypermobility age better? The reality is a complex trade-off between perceived aesthetic benefits and very real physical challenges.

Quick Summary

Hypermobility and aging presents a paradoxical picture, with some experiencing aesthetic benefits like fewer wrinkles while also confronting increased pain, fatigue, and joint fragility that can worsen over time. The aging process is highly individual and depends heavily on proactive management strategies.

Key Points

• Aesthetic Paradox: Hypermobility can create a paradox where individuals may have youthful, wrinkle-resistant skin but also fragile, easily bruised skin due to altered collagen.

• Increased Pain: Many with hypermobility experience escalating chronic joint pain and stiffness as they age, even if overall flexibility decreases.

• Premature Osteoarthritis: Repeated stress on unstable hypermobile joints can lead to premature wear and tear and early-onset osteoarthritis.

• Systemic Symptoms Worsen: Non-joint symptoms, including fatigue, dysautonomia, and gastrointestinal issues, often become more prominent later in life.

• Individual Variability: The aging experience differs significantly among individuals with hypermobility, influenced by specific conditions and management strategies.

• Proactive Management is Key: Physical therapy, targeted strength training, and lifestyle modifications are essential for stabilizing joints and mitigating age-related decline.

• Internal vs. External Aging: While some may look younger on the outside, many report feeling significantly older internally due to the physical toll of hypermobility.

Aging is a complex biological process for everyone, but for individuals with joint hypermobility, it presents a unique set of challenges and paradoxes. Contrary to the simplistic notion that increased flexibility might equate to better aging, the reality is far more complicated, often involving a trade-off between superficial benefits and deep-seated physical issues. This article delves into the research and lived experiences to explain what it's really like to age with hypermobility.

The Genetic Basis: Altered Collagen

At the root of hypermobility, particularly in conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), is altered collagen. Collagen is the primary protein that provides strength and elasticity to connective tissues throughout the body, including skin, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels. While normal aging involves a decrease in collagen production and elasticity, hypermobile individuals have structurally different collagen from birth. This difference explains the visible skin characteristics as well as the underlying joint issues that change over a lifetime.

The Hypermobility Paradox: Youthful Skin vs. Aging Joints

The central paradox of aging with hypermobility lies in the stark contrast between external appearance and internal physical experience. The altered collagen can result in a more youthful appearance with potentially fewer wrinkles and softer skin. However, this comes with a cost: fragile skin that is easily bruised and scars poorly. Internally, the same collagen issues lead to unstable joints prone to subluxations and dislocations, chronic pain that worsens with age, premature osteoarthritis, and other systemic issues like fatigue and autonomic dysfunction.

Comparison: Aesthetic vs. Functional Aging in Hypermobility

Feature	Aesthetic Aging	Functional Aging
Collagen	Greater skin elasticity delays wrinkles.	Increased tissue fragility leads to easy bruising and poor healing.
Skin Appearance	Often smooth, soft, and velvety.	Can be thin, translucent, and prone to noticeable scarring.
Joints	No direct aesthetic benefit; flexibility may decrease with age.	Premature wear and tear leading to chronic pain and early osteoarthritis.
Energy Levels	Not directly affected by aesthetics.	Chronic pain and systemic issues often lead to significant fatigue.
Perceived Age	May appear younger than biological age due to skin quality.	May feel older than biological age due to pain and fatigue.

The Role of Hormones and Lifestyle

Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during menopause, can exacerbate hypermobility symptoms, including joint pain and fatigue. This highlights the systemic nature of the condition. However, proactive management strategies like physical therapy, targeted exercises, proper nutrition, and fatigue management can significantly impact the aging process for individuals with hypermobility. Without these interventions, symptoms can worsen over time due to cumulative microtrauma.

Conclusion: Navigating the Complexities

So, do people with hypermobility age better? The answer is generally no, especially when considering internal health and function. While some may benefit from more elastic skin leading to a youthful appearance, this is often overshadowed by increasing joint instability, chronic pain, fatigue, and other systemic issues as they age. Effective, proactive management is crucial for individuals with hypermobility to maintain a good quality of life throughout the aging process.

Learn more about Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and proactive management from the Ehlers-Danlos Society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hypermobility get worse with age?

For many, symptoms of hypermobility do get worse with age, particularly in terms of pain and joint instability, even though the actual range of motion may decrease as joints naturally stiffen. The cumulative wear and tear can lead to complications like early-onset osteoarthritis.

Is it true that hypermobile people have fewer wrinkles?

Due to altered collagen, some individuals with hypermobility may experience skin that is more elastic and resistant to wrinkles. However, this is a paradoxical effect that can also result in delicate, easily bruised, or scarred skin.

Why do hypermobile joints start to hurt more as you get older?

Over time, hypermobile joints endure repeated microtrauma from being overstretched or overused due to loose ligaments. This chronic stress leads to inflammation and premature joint degeneration, which can cause significant and worsening pain over the years.

Can hypermobility lead to premature arthritis?

Yes, repeated stress on unstable hypermobile joints and cumulative wear and tear can lead to early-onset osteoarthritis in some individuals.

How does menopause affect hypermobility symptoms?

Hormonal shifts, particularly the drop in estrogen during menopause, can worsen hypermobility symptoms for many women. This can trigger flare-ups in joint pain, fatigue, and other systemic issues.

What kind of exercise is best for aging with hypermobility?

The best exercises are low-impact and focus on strengthening the muscles around the joints to improve stability. Examples include swimming, stationary biking, and specific physical therapy exercises designed to build strength without overextending joints.

Does hypermobility affect internal organs as you get older?

Yes, hypermobility (especially associated with EDS) can affect other body systems over time. This can include a worsening of cardiovascular issues (like dysautonomia), gastrointestinal problems, and in some types of EDS, increased risk to blood vessels and organs.