Back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people. However, certain factors like menstruation and pregnancy can make back pain more intense in women than in men.
Pregnancy often causes lower back pain in women due to the shifting center of gravity and hormonal changes. This can cause muscle strains and ligament sprains.
1. Hormonal Issues
Women tend to experience back pain more often than men. This may be because of muscle or ligament sprain, herniated disc, or due to gynaecological problems like dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
Back pain can also occur during pregnancy. This is because of the weight gain, hormonal changes, shifting centre of gravity, and different pelvis positioning.
Pregnancy can also cause piriformis syndrome – a condition where the piriformis muscle, located in the buttocks, spasms and causes pain. This is caused by pregnancy-related hormonal changes and pressure on the muscles. This can be aggravated by sitting for long periods and climbing stairs. Symptoms include chronic pain in the hip and buttock region, radiating pain down the legs.
2. Degenerative Disc Disease
Not exactly a disease, but a medical condition that describes natural age-related wear and tear in the spinal discs. Normally, each disc is composed of a firm, tough outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and a soft, jellylike core (nucleus pulposus).
As you grow older, these discs shrink and the space between the vertebral bones decreases. Abnormal rubbing of the disks causes pressure on the nerves and can result in back pain and stiffness.
Your doctor will assess your back to determine what’s causing it and may order X-rays, MRI, CT scan or myelogram. Physical therapy and spinal injections are common treatments. Your doctor may also recommend a minimally invasive surgical procedure, such as facet rhizotomy that uses radiofrequency to deaden the joints around your damaged disc.
3. Muscle Strains
A back muscle strain, also known as a pulled muscle, occurs when muscles or ligaments in the lower spine are stretched or torn. Pain and a decrease in strength are common symptoms of a mild or moderate back strain.
Pain is typically dull or achy in nature and often radiates down the back of your legs (sciatica). It can be made worse by certain activities and often gets better when you rest.
You may hear a popping sound with a severe back strain, and the muscle belly may actually be torn in two places with grade III injuries. Severe swelling and pain and a limited ability to perform strength testing are usually present with this type of injury.
4. Sciatica
Pain, numbness and tingling may occur when a nerve in the lower back (lumbar spine) is compressed or irritated. This may be caused by a herniated disk, spinal stenosis or other conditions like piriformis syndrome. Symptoms may get worse when you bend or twist, sit for long periods of time and cough or sneeze.
Most sciatic pain gets better with rest, heat or ice packs, exercise and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and tramadol. Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy and cortisone injections to decrease inflammation around the sciatic nerve. You can buy ultram online from an online pharmacy. however, You must buy from a trustworthy licensed pharmacy.
5. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The two dimples on your lower back are located directly over the sacroiliac (SI) joints. SI joints connect the top of your pelvis (ilium bones) to the bottom of your spine (sacrum).
Women have a wider pelvis and less curved sacrum, which increases their risk for SI joint misalignment and pain. This pain is usually centered in the lower back but can also affect the groin, buttocks and thighs. It often flares during menses.
Your doctor can test for SI joint problems by pressing on your hips and moving your legs into different positions to recreate the pain you’re experiencing. A MRI is sometimes needed to identify the cause of your pain. Treatment options include ice packs, over-the-counter pain relievers (NSAIDs and acetaminophen), controlled physical therapy and low-impact aerobic exercises.
6. Osteoporosis
Women with osteoporosis may have lower back pain that isn’t related to a spinal condition, such as herniated or degenerated discs, or to a gynecological issue like endometriosis. This is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the pelvic organs, causing pain during menstruation, sex and when urinating or having bowel movements.
Women’s lower back pain can be treated with home remedies, such as heat or ice, or over-the-counter painkillers. If the pain is severe or persists, a primary care physician can help by performing an in-office neurologic examination. They can then prescribe medications to reduce back pain, swelling and irritation of the nerve roots.
7. Stress
Women with sacroiliac joint problems, scoliosis, osteoporosis and certain autoimmune diseases are at greater risk for back pain. They can also have problems like piriformis syndrome, which is when a spasm in the piriformis muscle causes pain in the buttock and down the back of the leg.
The back is made up of 24 small bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of each other. Between the vertebrae are gel-like discs that act as shock absorbers and spacers for the spine. The spinal cord runs through the center of the spine, and nerves branch off to the upper body and legs. Back pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation and may include numbness, tingling and changes in bowel or bladder function.
8. Piriformis Syndrome
Having the right pillow for back support or using a chair with good lumbar support may help reduce lower back pain. Avoiding activities that trigger back pain and taking breaks while working or exercising can also be helpful.
Piriformis syndrome is when your piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, which runs from the spinal cord through your buttocks and down each leg to your feet. Symptoms include pain, tingling and numbness that starts in your buttocks and can extend all the way down the back of your leg.
Your healthcare provider can check your sacroiliac joint, greater sciatic notch and piriformis muscle for tenderness and will test your hip movement to confirm the diagnosis.
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