Back pain has become a common medical problem among people. About 80 percent of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. Back pains in the 20s or 30s are due to our daily lives, like sitting for too long, over-exercising, or picking up children. In the 40s and above, it could be arthritis, work injuries, etc.
Therefore, various factors affect back pains in women. Since a large percentage of women experience back pains, understanding the underlying causes is very important. Read on to learn the causes of lower back pain in women and some reasons why it happens.
Some Major Causes of Lower Back Pain in Women
Several conditions could lead to lower back pain in women. At times, this pain is a result of an issue with the spine, tendons, or ligaments. But back pain can also happen because of an issue in other body parts resulting in pain. The pain may also occur in areas of your back too like the neck, or it spreads to the back. These are the general causes of lower back pain in women.
1. Pregnancy
Pregnancy is among the most common causes of lower back pain in women, especially in later stages. As the fetus grows, more weight is added, which puts a lot of stress on the spine and the supporting ligaments and muscles. In addition, the ligaments tend to stretch more and soften during the pregnancy period to prepare for childbirth.
Unluckily, the softening of the ligaments will make the pelvis and lower back less supported, thus triggering back pain. Being overweight may also be the reason for lower back pain for ladies, and when pregnant, more women add more weight, which also contributes to back pains.
2. Poor Posture
Aside from pregnancy, poor posture can also be a major cause of lower back pain in women. When your sitting posture is poor, and you happen to sit for a long time, the muscles at the back and the spine will be strained.
This will lead to discomfort and even pain. Most women tend to be affected by poor postures due to wearing high heels and carrying heavy bags.
3. Osteoarthritis
Another major reason for lower back pain for ladies is osteoarthritis. It’s a degenerative condition that affects the joints and occurs when the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones in joints wears down gradually with time.
Despite the fact that osteoarthritis mostly affects the joints that support weight, like the spine, hips, knees, etc, it can also affect the spine joints, thus leading to lower back pains.
ALSO READ: PCOD: What is PCOD Problem, Its Causes & Symptoms
4. Endometriosis
This is a condition where the tissue lining the inside of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. The tissue may implant and allow organs to grow on the organs in your pelvic cavity, like ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the lower back.
As the endometrial tissue embeds around structures in the pelvic areas or the lower back, it may result in inflammation and irritation and might cause several symptoms like lower back pain in women.
5. Menopause
Women go through the perimenopause stage, which is usually between 45 to 55 years, and the post-menopause, too. At this age, there is a slow production of female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone produced from the ovaries. This procedure is gradual, spreads with time, and is natural.
Premenopause symptoms include joint and spine pains, chronic tiredness, hot flashes, and physical symptoms like anxiety, irritation, depression, etc.
Women in menopause experience a spine hypothesis and disc degeneration because of estrogen deficiency. When in the post-menopause stage, the lumbar disc tends to generate quickly, with the disc space narrowing and becoming apparent and severe. This may lead to lower back pains in women.
Treatment of Lower Back Pain in Women
Female lower back pain treatment depends on the cause of the pain. Below are some of the treatments for lower back pain:
- Physical therapy: It helps strengthen muscles that support the spine and improves flexibility. You may also learn specific exercises to relieve the pain and avoid recurrent back pain issues.
- Stress reduction: Tension and stress are also reasons for lower back pain for ladies. Some relaxing activities like yoga and deep breathing exercises may help lower stress and also promote relaxation, which could get rid of lower back pains.
- Lifestyle changes: Trying out some lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet, using good posture, use of correct lifting techniques may help women avoid lower back pains.
- Diet change: Diets with trans fats, processed foods, or refined sugars are very inflammatory. Therefore, talk with your doctor to check if your diet is causing chronic back pain. Changing diet can be a good female lower back pain treatment.
It is advisable to talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing lower back pains. This way, you can know the correct treatment for your individual needs, underlying medical conditions, and preferences.
Conclusion
Lower back pain is a common condition that affects both young people and adults. Possible causes of lower back pain in women include pregnancy, poor posture, menopause, etc. It is good to seek help from your doctor if you encounter such a problem.
Understanding the reason for lower back pain for ladies and practicing proper care to manage the pain can be beneficial. For instance, you can opt for physical therapy, change your daily lifestyle, change your diet, and also reduce stress.
ALSO READ: What Foods to Eat And Avoid On Your Period
