What Can Be The Causes Of Back Pain In Females?

Introduction

The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, spine, ligaments, tendons, and bones. It is one of the weight-bearing areas of our body. Hence, back pain is a very common problem. In general, almost everyone will experience back pain in their lifetime. It has multiple reasons for minor to major. Back pain affects any age group for different reasons. As people get older, the chances of getting back pain are increasing. Back pain can range from mild, intermittent pain, to persistent, severe, disabling pain.

The way you walk, sit, or move often influences a lot of your back health. There are 24 vertebrae (small bones) which are together known as the spine. Those small bones are connected by a gel-like cushion called a vertebral disc. So, when one of them gets hurt, you may feel dull, aching pain. There are some other serious reasons for back pain too. Not all back pains are the same. Hence, stay cautious when you have recurrent back pain.

Common Causes of Back Pain

1. Sedentary Lifestyle

This is one of the common causes of back pain. When you sit for a long time for work or you are just lazy to move, you may suffer from back pain, stiffness, or uneasiness. When you sit for long, your back muscles may get locked due to inactivity and you feel the pain. So, just stretch your muscles whenever you get time for relaxation.

2. Wrong Posture

Prolonged screen time can affect your posture and poor posture can cause back pain or increase your existing pain. Not only screen time but your standing or walking style can also affect your posture. The wrong posture increases the strain on the muscles and ligaments which results in back pain.

3. Back Injuries

Injuries are the major cause of back pain in women. Injuries like overuse of muscles or sprains commonly occur due to heavy lifting or sudden movement that causes middle or lower back pain. These muscle overuse injuries are common in pregnancy.

4. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Many women get this condition before menstruation called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms such as lower back pain, abdominal pain, headache, mood swings, etc.

Post Caesarean section, many females suffer from back pain. Use of a back support belt, back cushion while sitting, proper rest and nutrition during the postpartum period help to alleviate the pain and prevent long-term morbidity.

Dr. Nikhil Yadav, MBBS MD,CCEBDM

5. Painful Menstruation

Very painful menstruation is known as dysmenorrhea. Sometimes, it can be so severe in some females. It may also cause severe abdominal pain, leg pains, and hip pains. The pains are from dull to severe and last for 3-4 days.

6. Sciatica

Sciatica is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve present in the backside of your leg travels from the lower spine to your leg. Sciatica causes burning or shock-like pain.

7. Muscle Sprain

It is common in people when they lift overweight in improper form or sudden moves. Symptoms include pain and stiffness of muscles. Rest and if needed painkillers can ease your complaints.

Your lower back pain should ideally be settled usually in 6 weeks or less. If it is persistent and associated with symptoms like loss of sensation and tingling in the lower limbs or groin, consult a physician to identify the root cause and get timely treatment.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S, M.D. in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Rare Causes of Back Pain

1. Bulging Disc

The bulging disc also known as a slipped disc occurs when the gel-like cushion bulges out and compresses neighboring nerves. As you age, this risk increases because these discs become dehydrated and stiff. A bulging disc causes shooting pains in the back which radiates to the legs. Traumatic accidents or sudden movements can cause this problem.

2. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological problem that causes uterus tissues to grow outside the womb. In this condition, chronic back pain generally flares during menses. Other symptoms include painful menstruation, pain in the genital region, and lower abdominal pain.

3. Cancers

Certain spinal cancers and uterine cancers (like cancer of the cervix, and cancer of endometriosis) can cause severe and long-standing back pain. They can be referred to as the pain of metastatic breast or lung cancer.

4. Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases

Many women have chronic back pain and discomfort where pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be a cause. It presents with lower back pain, abdominal pain, fever, and unusual vaginal discharge. PID is generally a bacterial infection that can be dangerous if untreated.

5. Disc Degeneration

The disc can be caused due to old age, injuries, or repetitive motions. The pain can extend to the buttocks and legs from the back. The pain is usually long-standing and dull and relieved by rest.

6. Kidney Infection

It is also known as pyelonephritis where you may present with lower abdominal pain, back pain, and groin pain. It also includes chills with fever and frequent urination.

Sprains and strains are one of the most frequent causes of severe back pain in females. Because women have a lower centre of gravity, they are more vulnerable to lumbar injuries. When a female’s lower back muscles or tendons are damaged, it tends to cause intense pain. Anything like lifting a heavy box, getting in a car accident, or even sleeping the wrong way can cause a sprain or strain.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD(Pediatrics)

Back Pain Conditions that Affect Women

1. Piriformis Syndrome

The piriformis muscle is a large muscle located deep within the buttocks. Pain originating from the spasms of your piriformis muscle is called piriformis syndrome. This syndrome affects women more due to hormones and pregnancy-related changes in the pelvis.  

The symptoms of piriformis syndrome could be an inability to sit for a long time, radiating pain from the back of your thigh to your legs, and chronic pain in the buttock and hip area that worsens due to hip movement.

Incorrect posture and insufficient vitamin D levels emerge as prevalent culprits behind back pain in women. Prioritizing regular exercise for muscle strengthening holds paramount importance for individuals of all genders. Good muscle tone and correct posture can help reduce the risk of back pains to a great extent.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

2. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint is the area that connects the bottom of your spine to your pelvis. Pain radiating from this area is identified as sacroiliac joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis. These kinds of joint problems are more common causes of lower back pain.

Women have a smaller SI joint surface area than men, which results in a higher concentration of stress across the joint. Some common features of SI joint pain are lower back pain, shooting sharp pain down the thigh not going past the knee area, and a dull, constant pain directly over the buttock.

3. Spinal Osteoarthritis

Spinal osteoarthritis causes a breakdown of the fibrous cartilage in the facet joints (joints that connect your vertebrae). With the cushioning provided by cartilage, your bones may rub together, causing friction and pain.

Common symptoms of spinal osteoarthritis include back stiffness and pain in the morning and pain in your lower back area, upper back, thighs, groin, and buttocks.

4. Coccydynia

Pain in the coccyx (tail area of the spine) majorly occurs due to trauma. The condition is common in women due to differences in the shape of the pelvis due to injury related to childbirth. Pain due to coccydynia can happen while sitting down, sitting on hard surfaces, standing up from a seated posture, and leaning backward partly while sitting.  

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