It has been observed that women suffer more due to back pain problems as compare to men. Read this article to know the basic causes and treatment of back pain in women.
1. Coccydynia (tailbone pain) makes sitting painful
Coccydynia is inflammation in tailbone due to tumour or infection. It is commonly observed in women with age 40. It automatically goes away within a few weeks. But sometimes it becomes chronic and affects daily life. It may cause a problem during driving or bending. Women are 5 times more likely than men to develop coccydynia. The major reasons for coccydynia in women are pregnancy-related injuries and the less-protected position of the tailbone.
2. Compression fractures tied to osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the root cause of vertebral compression fractures, especially in women ages around 50. Due to osteoporosis, spine bone may break, or it may get thin. This condition is called a compression fracture. The fracture occurs at the front side of the bone. Usually, the back of the bone is not affected. The compression fracture occurs in the lower part of the upper back. It may cause sudden, severe back pain. It may also cause rounded hump in the back and sometimes loss of height. Women suffer more as compare to men as women are more likely to have osteoporosis. Risk factors include a personal or family history of osteoporosis.
If you are a woman with age more than 45 and you have sudden, intense back pain then you are at risk for osteoporosis. You must visit the spine specialist as quickly as possible after a spinal compression fracture since the injury can limit mobility.
3. Degenerative spondylolisthesis results in back and leg pain
Spondylolisthesis is a Greek word for “slipped vertebral body.” Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a condition in which the lumbar vertebrae moves forward over the one which is located below it. It can cause irritation in the nearby spinal nerve root, causing pain in the lower back and legs. The symptoms of spondylolisthesis include aching or weakness in legs. It can limit your daily activities also.
It is more common in women than in men. The root causes of this in women are hormonal factors, differences in pelvic structure, and lower bone density.
4. Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and fatigue
Fibromyalgia is a condition in which a person feels muscle pain, stiffness, and fatigue. A person with fibromyalgia may feel pain in the upper and lower back, neck, and hips. Some other symptoms include arthritis, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome three common coexisting conditions. The symptoms of fibromyalgia may go away and reappear at a new location.
Women aging between 40 to 75 are at most risk of Fibromyalgia. The exact cause is unknown but it may be due to hormonal influence.
Treatment of Back Pain
Some back pain can go away by itself with time. But some back pain may have persistent pain. It requires special back pain treatment. You should not avoid the symptoms of back pain and must visit a spine specialist. He might recommend you best medications or other therapies or spine surgery for the back pain treatment.