Could menopause cause stiffness in the ligaments of the back?

For many months I have a stiffness in the back. No pain, but a very strange feeling, like the ligaments can’t stretch along the column. Exercise doesn’t help. Could this stiffness be related to the beginning of menopause?

[JAmanda]

Do you take HRT? I think the menopause causes all manner of effects like this - if I was the Tin Man I'd feel I needed a little extra oil! I think of hrt as a bit of oil so if I have a stiff neck or whatever I sometimes have an extra squirt of the oestrogen. I only take one usually so an extra one now and again isn't a huge dose.