Lower back pain is one of the most common health complaints, and research shows that 1 in 4 Americans experienced it in the last three months. Most cases are only acute and resolve within days or weeks. However, it’s important to mention that lower back pain is also one of the leading causes of disabilities.
Low back pain affects everybody, but it is more prevalent in women than men. In addition, it is more likely to become chronic in females and lead to disabilities. That’s why women need to be careful about their lower back pain and seek appropriate treatment when they suspect something is off.
Read on to discover the most common causes of lower back pain in women, and learn what you can do to mitigate the effects.
The Most Common Causes of Lower Back Pain in Women
Although many different conditions can cause back pain, women are more susceptible to developing specific back pain problems. Here is the list of the most common ones.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disorder characterized by the endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus and affecting other tissues that line the pelvis. It can reach fallopian tubes, ovaries, and even bowels and urinary tract.
This condition results in excruciating menstrual cramps, lower back and pelvic pain, painful sex, and pain accompanying urination and bowel movements during periods. Other symptoms include bleeding between periods, diarrhea, and bloating.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra degenerates and slips over the one beneath it. It is more common in women after menopause, as the levels of estrogen drop, which speeds up vertebrae degeneration.
As a result of this condition, women feel lower back pain that radiates through their legs. The pain becomes more intense while walking as the movement compresses the spine. Certain positions like bending forward help regain the natural spine positioning and ease the pain.
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome refers to the pain caused by spasms in your piriformis muscle, located deep in your buttocks. The condition is often triggered by pelvic and hormonal changes during pregnancy.
The symptoms include chronic pain in the hip and buttocks area, discomfort when sitting for a prolonged period, radiating pain at the back of your thighs and legs (similar to sciatica), and pain when getting out of bed or moving your hips.
Pregnancy
Lower back pain is frequent during pregnancy. This is because you go through many body changes such as weight gain, altered hormonal status, shifting the center of gravity, different pelvis positioning, and others.
You are most likely to develop lower back pain between the fifth and seventh months of pregnancy, but some women experience it sooner.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Sacroiliac joints (SI) connect the bottom of your spine with the pelvis, and problems in this area can cause lower back pain. The sacroiliac joint dysfunction is more common in women because they have smaller SI and different shape of the sacrum.
This condition results in lower back pain with flares that may go down your buttock and thigh but rarely past the knee.
Where to Get Help for Lower Back Pain?
If you are a woman experiencing lower back pain, you may want to seek professional medical help to prevent the condition from deteriorating. You can find the proper treatment at Space City Pain, where specialists like Dr. Eduardo Garcia, Dr. Jeffrey Cannella, and Dr. Joseph Toothaker-Alvarez can help you get rid of the pain. Click here for information on how to contact us to book an appointment.
