Seven Back Pain Conditions That Affect Women Predominantly

Seven Back Pain Conditions That Affect Women Predominantly

Women are more vulnerable to experiencing a variety of back pain and associated disorders. Furthermore, women are more likely to develop chronic back pain over time.1

Several conditions are more prevalent in women (and may be exclusive). Back pain issues are often seen in postmenopausal women. Continue reading to learn more about the common causes and reasons for back pain in women.

1. Piriformis syndrome
   View from behind showing the piriformis muscles of the buttocks.
   Piriformis Syndrome Video
   Pain originating from spasms in the piriformis muscle, a large muscle located deep in the buttock, is known as piriformis syndrome.2 Due to hormonal and pregnancy-related changes in the pelvis, women are more susceptible to this condition.

Frequently, Piriformis syndrome irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve, mimicking sciatica pain. Possible Piriformis syndrome causes:

• Chronic buttock and hip pain that is exacerbated by hip movement
• Pain upon arising from bed
• Incapacity to sit for extended periods
• Excruciating pain radiating from the back of your thigh and leg

Typically, problems improve when you rest on your back.

2. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
   View from behind of the lumbar spine with bone spurs.
   Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Video
   Pain from the sacroiliac (SI) joint that links the base of your spine to your pelvis is known as sacroiliitis or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. SI joint disorders are one of the most prevalent causes of low back pain.

In general, women have a lower SI joint surface area than males, resulting in a greater stress concentration across the joint. The sacrum is also broader, more uneven, less curved, and angled more posteriorly in women, which may lead to SI joint issues.4

These and other anatomical differences can increase the risk of SI joint malalignment, particularly in younger women5.

Symptoms similar to sciatica may be caused by SI joint dysfunction. Common characteristics include:

• Lower back discomfort
• A dull or achy pain directly over the buttock that may occasionally flare up into a sharp pain.
• A sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain that typically does not extend beyond the knee down the thigh.

Typically, SI joint pain worsens when seated, lying on the affected side, or climbing stairs.

3. Backache osteoarthritis
   View from behind of the lumbar spine with bone spurs.
   Video of Lumbar Osteoarthritis
   Women often suffer from osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis) of the facet joints (joints that link the vertebrae). The risk increases as age and/or weight increase.7

Consider Spinal Osteoarthritis

The degeneration of fibrous cartilage in the facet joints is a consequence of spinal osteoarthritis. Without the cushioning supplied by the cartilage, your bones may rub together, producing discomfort. Lower back osteoarthritis may result in:

• Pain in your back, groin, buttocks, and thighs7
• morning back stiffness and discomfort
• Occasional severe pain flare-ups

The discomfort may be localized to one side of the back, intensify when external pressure is applied, and/or subside when the spine is flexed forward.

4. Degenerative spinal spondylolysis
   Degenerative spondylolisthesis in the legs, as seen from the rear.
   Video of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
   When a vertebra in your spine slides over the one below it owing to deterioration, it is termed degenerative spondylolisthesis. Due to reduced estrogen levels, postmenopausal women are more susceptible to the condition.8

When estrogen levels are low, the vertebral disc degrades and the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together weaken, resulting in spinal instability. This age group is also more likely to have spinal osteoarthritis, which increases the risk of vertebral slippage.

Caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis are9:

• Lower back discomfort with radiating leg pain
• Neurogenic claudication (walking discomfort) if the spinal cord is compressed

Typically, bending forward provides relief from discomfort.

5. Coccydynia (tailbone discomfort)
   View of the sacrum in profile, above the tailbone
   Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain) Video
   Pain in the tail end of your spine (coccyx) occurs largely due to trauma. The condition is more prevalent in women due to differences in pelvic shape, angle, and injury during childbirth.10

See Coccydynia

During sitting, the coccyx acts as a weight-bearing support.11 An injury to this region can cause pain while10:

• While seated
• Leaning back slightly when seated
• Sitting on difficult surfaces
• Standing up from a sitting position

The pain of coxodynia is immediately relieved upon standing. You may find it more comfortable to lean forward or lean onto one buttock at a time to avoid tailbone pain.

6. Endometriosis
   Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that only affects women. The syndrome causes the uterine tissues to develop outside of the uterus.12 Common symptoms include:

• Miserable menstrual cycle accompanied by severe pelvic and lower abdominal discomfort
• Genital region discomfort
• Lower back discomfort, particularly during menstruation

Pain in the pelvis and/or back may develop persistent and flare up during menstruation.

7. Fractures due to osteoporosis of the spine
   Thoracic spine fracture due to compression.
   Osteoporosis is a disorder that occurs when bone density diminishes, causing bones to become brittle and prone to fracture. Osteoporosis develops when the rate of bone loss exceeds the rate of bone growth. Postmenopausal women are four times as likely than males to develop osteoporosis. This gap may be attributable to estrogen shortage, bone loss at a younger age, and bone loss at a faster rate.

Osteoporosis may produce bone pain14, but it is more likely to cause spinal compression fractures that result in severe back pain1. Spinal compression fractures can cause1:

• Acute, localized back pain that often affects the mid-back or the area between the mid-back and lower back.
• The discomfort may radiate anteriorly and be mistaken for heart or lung difficulties

Depending on its severity, this ailment may constitute an emergency medical situation.

Women may also feel back discomfort owing to no identified reason. Typical changes in a woman’s lifecycle, such as pregnancy, delivery, hormone imbalances, and weight gain (particularly in the belly), may activate a chain of events that result in back pain.15

Consult a physician if your back discomfort is not improved by self-care, produces neurological symptoms (numbness or weakness), or interferes with your everyday activities. A physician can assist in identifying and treating the source of your back discomfort. To avoid recurrences, a skilled medical practitioner may also propose required lifestyle changes, such as adopting an anti-inflammatory diet and an organized exercise regimen.