What Causes Lower Back Pain In Females?

Introduction

Back pain is something that cannot be tackled easily. And this turns out to be one of the most frequent health complaints that women complain about. As a working professional spending much of your time at a desk or as a new mother still getting accustomed to the switch of posture after having a child, back pain can be an insidious killer of the quality of life. World health data indicate that women are at a greater risk of having chronic lower back pain than men as there is a reservoir of biological, hormonal, and lifestyle determinants.

The cause of  lower back pain in females is important to understand not only as a way of coping with pain but also to solve underlying causes in order to prevent long-term harm. In this blog we are going to assist you to know the primary causes of lower back pain, the warning signs to be aware of and how to receive the right treatment. Continue reading, to find out all about it!

Why Are Women More Prone to Low Back Pain?

A lot happens to the female body over the years — puberty, menses, pregnancy, recovery from childbirth, and menopause lead to physical and hormonal changes. All of these stages create different levels of load on the spine, pelvis, and surrounding musculoskeletal structures, leading to lower back pain in females. Moreover, women generally have a broader pelvis and differ from men in lumbar curve; they bear weight differently, with an additional strain on the lower back.

Such anatomical and physiological differences account for the fact that the reasons for lower back pain are usually more varied and complex in female patients compared to male patients. 

Some Common Causes of Lower Back Pain in Women

Menstrual Period and Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes that are associated with the menstrual cycle are one of the most widespread causes of lower back pain in females. In a certain time frame, the body synthesises prostaglandins- hormone-like substances, which cause uterine contractions. The contractions are responsible for causing the pain in the lower back and hips.

Pregnancy-Related Back Pain

Pregnancy has also turned out to be one of the leading causes of lower back pain among females. The uterus enlarges with the growth of the baby and the center of gravity is moved forward in the body. This makes the lower back overcompensate, resulting in increased curvature and stretching of the lumbar muscles. The hormone relaxin, secreted during pregnancy, also relaxes pelvic ligaments, and this can lead to the loss of stability in the spine and result in lower back pain that does not disappear even after childbirth.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a long-lasting gynecological disease where uterine-like tissue grows a bit extra- usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvic cavity lining. This displaced tissue responds to hormonal variations as would normal uterine tissue and leads to inflammation, scarring and extreme pain. Deep, chronic, and lower-back pain in the pelvis and lower back that intensifies around the time of their periods is common in many people with endometriosis. It is one of the least diagnosed causes of lower back pain among females.

Osteoporosis and Bone Density Loss

Women are far more likely to have osteoporosis compared to men, and especially after menopause when the levels of estrogen become extremely low. Bone density is safeguarded by estrogen, and with a decline, bone loss escalates. Since erosion occurs on the vertebrae, it is prone to compression fractures - even when subjected to low levels of stress. This leads to chronic, sometimes disabling, lower back pain that needs medical treatment.

Piriformis Syndrome

One of the small yet significant muscles in your gluteal area is the piriformis. This especially applies to women who are naturally endowed with wider hips, and the piriformis muscle will be prone to tightening and causing irritation to the adjacent sciatic nerve. This is referred to as piriformis syndrome, in which the lower back pain is spread to the buttock and the leg, which can be confused with a herniated disc.

Sciatica and Degenerative Disc Disease

The spinal discs (cushion between the vertebrae) become waterless and lose their elasticity as women age. This breakdown can result in sticking out or tearing of the discs and crushing of the surrounding nerves, the sciatic nerve being one of them. Brought about by sciatica, sharp, shooting pain is felt along both legs or one leg only and is located in the lower back. Less common but widely present cause of lower back pain in women, and more so in women aged over 40 are degenerative disc disease.

Poor Posture and Sedentary Habits

The other very sore part of the body is your back, especially the lower parts, because of the lifestyles that have evolved in modern-day society and the way people sit. Sedentary jobs- especially bad ergonomics- lead to core muscles and overstraining of the lumbar spine. People already hunch, bend over a phone or a laptop and put high heels on a regular basis- all of it will lead to muscular imbalance of the body that will eventually overstrain your lower back.

Stress and Psychological Factors

Most pains are caused by emotional stress. Stress makes your muscles tighten, especially in the back and shoulders. Women who have high stress or emotional stress are more prone to new onset or worsening of already existing lower back pain reasons in female, since the body is in a state of stress.

Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Some back pain can be managed with rest, but other symptoms require immediate medical care and lower back pain treatment for women in Jaipur. See a physician if your pain:

• Persists for over two to three weeks without getting better
• Pain in the legs, numbness/tingling.
• Causes weakness in the lower limb
• Pain in link with bladder or bowel changes
• After a fall, accident or injury
• Pain and unexplainable weight loss or fever

Dr. Himanshu Gupta — Experienced Neurosurgeon in Jaipur

Dr. Himanshu Gupta is an experienced and the most skilled neurosurgeon in Jaipur, having many years of experience in the lower back pain treatment for women in Jaipur. Dr. Himanshu Gupta, who specialises in minimally invasive spine surgery and blends innovative surgical methods with a nurturing, patient-focused philosophy for exceptional results, helps thousands of patients — including women with chronic and debilitating conditions in their backs — find relief through his work, reclaiming an active, pain-free life. Dr. Gupta is a specialist of back pain in Jaipur and one of the most qualified specialists in the field which tries to provide international standards of neurological and spinal care.

Final Words:

In females, when the lower back pain is chronic, progressively getting worse, or when it impacts the functioning of daily activities, then you need to visit a physician. Without a proper diagnosis no effective treatment can be done. The doctor can recommend some good Lower back pain treatment of women in Jaipur, which can include physical therapy to strengthen core and spinal muscles (transversus abdominis), anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling, ergonomic positioning, hormonal or gynecological treatment of conditions such as endometriosis and minimal invasive spinal surgery or surgery of structural problems such as herniated disc etc.

Early consultation with a specialist in back pain treatment in Jaipur will make sure that an appropriate underlying cause is addressed and not the pain itself, which is addressed by temporary medication.

FAQ

What are the most common causes of lower back pain in women?

The common causes of lower back pain in women are:

• Menstrual cramps
• Hormonal changes
• Pregnancy
• Endometriosis
• Osteoporosis
• Bad posture
• Degenerative disc disease 

Do females and males have a difference in lower back pain?

Women do have their own causes such as endometriosis, strain during pregnancy and breaking of bones after menopause which are not causes of back pain in men.

What are the treatment options of lower back pain in women in Jaipur?

The treatment in Jaipur is different as it is also based on diagnosis but mainly it uses physiotherapy, medications and lifestyle changes to the high-tech minimal invasive spinal treatment.

When do I need to see a back pain specialist in Jaipur?

In case the pain fails to heal in two weeks, it is intense or even comes with other symptoms like numbness, tingling or weakness of legs, then see a back pain specialist in Jaipur.

Is it possible to prevent lower back pain reasons in female?

Ok, you know good posture, be careful, exercise, and once again, a calcium diet and frequent health examinations can bring the risk of chronic back pain down by unbelievable numbers.