3 Backpain Conditions that Affect More Women than Men
Although back pain affects everyone, including kids in some instances, women are more prone to some types of back pain than men. Studies show that the number of women suffering from lower back pain is usually higher than that of men. That is why we address the back pain conditions that commonly affect women herein.
1. Spinal Osteoarthritis
When thinking of osteoarthritis, most people tend to imagine severe joint and hip pain. However, osteoarthritis can also cause back pain, and when it does, it’s referred to as spinal osteoarthritis.
Spinal osteoarthritis occurs due to the breakdown of fibrous cartilage in your facet joint. Without the fibrous cartilage, bones connecting to the vertebrae rub together, causing not only back pain but also changing the bone’s shape. Spinal osteoarthritis causes upper and lower back pain, and in some instances, even buttock, groin, and thigh pain. Symptoms vary from one person to another, but often, include back stiffness, and pain flareups in the morning.
As with other types of back pain on this list, spinal osteoarthritis affects everyone but it is more prevalent in women, especially those above 45 years. The easiest way to combat the condition is through regular physical therapy. But before you take any step, you should ensure you consult a qualified specialist from a reputable back pain treatment facility.
2. Coccydynia
Commonly referred to as tailbone pain, coccydynia is a type of back pain usually felt at the base of the spine (hence the name tail bone pain). Again, it affects both genders, but women are five times more prone to developing it than men. The high prevalence of the condition in females is attributed to pregnancy and child-bearing related injuries, backward falls, tumors, or infections.
Childbirth is, however, considered a significant reason because unlike other parts of the pelvis, the coccyx isn’t flexible enough to bend with the pressure caused by the baby’s head. This results in injuries that consequently cause chronic tail bone pain. In some women, coccydynia may go away after a while, but in some, it may end up being chronic. It is characterized by pain while sitting down and partial leaning.
3. Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle is a large muscle located deep in your bum. It stabilizes your hip joint and enables comfortable movement by facilitating the rotation of your thigh. The piriformis syndrome occurs when muscle spasms push against the sciatic nerve and consequently, trigger pain, tingling, or even sometimes numbness around the buttock, hip, and lower back areas. Piriformis syndrome pain mimics sciatica pain and is six times prevalent among women due to hormonal and pelvic changes that occur during pregnancy. Doctors also attribute the disparity to the differences in pelvic anatomy between men and women. The syndrome is characterized by radiating pain at the back of the thigh, and pain that is worsened by movement.
As you may have noticed, women are more prone to back pain than men due to their anatomy, and also because of pregnancy-related changes. The key to getting any pain in control is regular checkups. So, if you’ve recently experienced back pain, don’t assume it’ll just go away. It may be something as serious as the above conditions. Seek medical assistance right away by turning to professionals at Maryland Pain and Wellness Center today.
