Overview:
What can cause lower back pain in a woman? Various health conditions can result in back pain among people. It is a common complaint among all age groups of men, women, and children as well. However, women are more likely to have lower back pain compared to men. There are a number of causes of back pain in females. Causes of back pain that mainly affect females include the following:
- Sciatica
- Pregnancy
- Fibromyalgia
- Endometriosis
- Other medical disorders
- Osteoarthritis of the spine
- Menopause or hormone changes
Causes of Back Pain in Females:
Following are the causes of back pain among women:
Fibromyalgia:
It is also known as widespread pain. Fibromyalgia is more common among women. According to some researchers, fibromyalgia is even more common among women with a history of trauma (emotional or physical). Hormone (estrogen) fluctuations can also worsen the symptoms. Women with fibromyalgia also have symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). Symptoms of fibromyalgia often begin after physical trauma or surgery. Fibromyalgia also affects the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cramps are way more painful for women with this condition. Primary symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Problem in sleeping
- Pain all over the body
- Headaches specially migraines
Risk factors of Fibromyalgia include: –
- Age: – Risk of getting Fibromyalgia increases as you get older.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): – People with RA are more likely to have Fibromyalgia.
Pregnancy:
It is very common to get backaches during pregnancy, especially lower back pain. Back pain during pregnancy often starts after the fifth week. But sometimes, it can also start after the 12th week of pregnancy. There are various factors that lead to lower back pain during pregnancy, including:
- Weight gain
- Emotional stress
- Change in posture
- Hormonal Changes
In case of back pain, take breaks, walk or stretch after some time. Continuous sitting can result in back pain.
Menopause & Hormonal Changes:
Women in their menopause face lower back pain. This back pain is tied to the hormonal changes in their body. In premenopausal women, back pain is a common symptom due to estrogen deficiency. One of the major causes is hormonal deficiency. Estrogen is a hormone present in women. Due to the high levels of estrogen, the brain’s natural pain killers work even more effectively. However, estrogen levels in women typically drop after menopause. Due to a drop in the levels of estrogen, the pain killers don’t work as effectively.
Osteoarthritis of the Spine:
The age-related wear and tear in the joints that connect your vertebrae (facet joints). The risk of spinal osteoarthritis increases with age/weight and is also common among women. The fibrosis cartilage providing cushion to facet joints breaks down. This results in your bones rubbing together, hence resulting in pain. Osteoarthritis is one of the causes of upper back pain in females. Symptoms may include:
- Stiffness in the back
- Pain in your lower, upper back, thighs or buttocks.
Sciatica:
Sciatica is caused due to irritation or pressure on the sciatic nerve. This is a shooting pain that radiates from your lower back, buttocks down to the leg. Every woman during pregnancy faces swollen feet, sleeping problems, cravings, and backaches. Sciatica can also occur during pregnancy very commonly. The major reason behind sciatica during pregnancy is the weight of the fetus. It puts excessive pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica pain. But this sciatic pain usually goes away after pregnancy.
Endometriosis:
This is a woman-specific condition and can affect women of any age. In which the tissues (usually found in the uterus) start growing on other organs of the body. This condition directly impacts your life. Back pain is one of the symptoms of endometriosis. Other common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Lower back pain
- Fatigue, Diarrhea & constipation
- Pelvic pain associated with menstrual cycle
Conclusion:
What is the most common cause of back pain? Muscle strain is also one of the most common causes of back pain among people. It can be a result of lifting heavy objects. Upper back pain causes may include, poor posture, whiplash injury, herniated disc, or osteoarthritis.
There are a number of upper, lower, and middle back pain causes in females. This article gives you an in-depth overview of the most common conditions. In case of back pain, you can book an appointment with KKT Orthopedic Spine Center. We provide a revolutionary treatment for spine-related diseases without surgery. KKT Pakistan employs specialized orthopedic consultants in Lahore (JT/DHA), Karachi. Along with 5 other KKT centers, nationwide and 20 worldwide KKT centers.
For booking an appointment, kindly get in touch with us through our patient care line.
Phone: 0800-00-558