What Are Common Causes of Lower Back Pain in Women?

Lower back pain in women is common, especially for those in their reproductive years. It can also be a symptom of several medical conditions, illnesses, injuries, or underlying factors that require medical attention. Dr. Febin Melepura focuses on diagnosing the causes behind back pain women experience and develops effective treatment plans depending on the condition and severity of pain. He is the best back pain relief expert in NYC and uses the most thoughtful, thorough, modern approaches to provide lasting relief so you can enjoy a pain-free life.

Lower back pain can be caused by several conditions, many of which can affect only women. It is one of the most common health problems that women face. If it is around the time of the month you get your period, your back pain may be linked to factors associated with your menstrual cycle. It may feel sharp, dull, intense, or burn, and can impact surrounding areas. Pain might occur on one or both sides of the body.

Early symptoms of lower back pain in females include:

• Pain that radiates from the lower abdomen or back down into the legs
• Muscle spasms or cramping in the lower back
• Difficulty standing or walking for longer periods
• Stiffness or difficulty moving the lower back

Women are more susceptible to developing back pain and related conditions. However, additional concerning symptoms indicate something that can affect anyone regardless of age or sex, such as muscle strains, sciatica, or a herniated disc, and needs medical attention.

Also, for women, back pain is more likely to become chronic over time if it is not cared for timely. It is necessary to consult your healthcare provider to diagnose or eliminate the risk of a more severe condition.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain in Women

Some causes of low back pain are specific to women. They include the following:

Pregnancy

Back pain is not unusual during pregnancy. More than two-thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain. It is mainly due to the changes occurring in a woman’s body during pregnancy. When the baby grows, it puts pressure on the spine and muscles in the back. This can lead to pain, especially in the lower back.

As the pregnancy progresses, your center of gravity shifts, you gain weight, and your hormones relax the ligaments in preparation for birth. Most women begin to experience pain between the fifth and seventh months of pregnancy, but for some, it can start much earlier. Women who already suffer from back pain are more likely to have it during pregnancy.

The most common place to have pain is right below your waist and across the tailbone. You may also have pain in the center of your back, around your waistline. This pain may radiate to the legs too.

Posture

Poor posture is another reason women develop soreness in their lower back, usually more on one side. Prolonged screen time or sitting at work for an extended time can put unnecessary strain on the spine and muscles in the back, which can lead to pain and discomfort.

At times, your walking or standing style can also affect your posture, particularly if you wear high heels or ill-fitting shoes. Bad posture increases the pressure on the ligaments, which results in back pain. Carrying heavy purses, lifting heavy objects incorrectly, or sudden movements can also cause back pain or increase existing pain.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and a common cause of lower back pain in women. It leads to a breakdown of the cartilage in joints, which causes stiffness and pain. As the spine is a common site of osteoarthritis, it can cause pain in the lower back.

Research shows that women are more likely to experience joint pain, aches, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. Women are more vulnerable to osteoarthritis due to their hormone levels, which fluctuate with menstruation cycles and change during menopause. Increased hormone levels at certain stages of the menstrual cycle may increase joint laxity, leading to the development of osteoarthritis.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow outside of the uterus. This tissue often grows on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other tissues lining the pelvis. It may even grow around the urinary tract and bowel and cause chronic pelvic pain.

During the menstrual cycle, the cells will swell and cause bleeding, which leads to lower back pain and other painful symptoms. The condition is often difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can vary, and other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. They are caused by the contraction in the womb to shed the lining of the uterus. It is a gynecological problem that affects many women. Also known as dysmenorrhea, this pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen and may radiate to the inner thighs and back. The pain can either be dull and achy or may feel like shooting pain.

Many women have menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. Menstrual cramps are most common in women of childbearing age, but they can occur at any age. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying, but for others, it can cause severe pain.

PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome

PMS is a condition many women get before their periods. It is a combination of symptoms that women experience several days to a week before the start of menstruation. Symptoms include pain along the center position of the lower back, which is believed to be caused by changes in hormones. The hormone prostaglandin is released during the menstrual cycle to prepare the uterus to shed the uterine lining.

PMS usually starts a few days before your period, and it ends within a day or two after the period begins.

What Else Can Cause Lower Back Pain?

Identifying the cause of lower back pain can depend on several factors. Sometimes, it is a combination of a few underlying imbalances, such as:

• Muscle strain or overuse
• Ligament sprains
• Herniated or diseased discs
• Spinal misalignment
• Kidney pain or stones
• Infection
• Pinched nerve
• Arthritis
• Weakness in core/abdominal muscles
• Appendicitis

When to See a Doctor for Lower Back Pain?

If your pain has lasted several days without improvement or you cannot move due to sudden, severe lower back pain, it is time to see a doctor. There are many potential causes of back pain, and only a trained and experienced medical professional can properly diagnose and treat your condition.

Some symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away:

• Severe pain
• Altered sensation or numbness in your groin region
• Pain, weakness, or altered sensation in both legs
• New, sudden changes to your bladder and bowel habits

Treatment for lower back pain usually depends on the underlying cause. In many cases, you can try home remedies first, but if your back pain persists, turns severe, or you experience unusual signs, call your pain doctor.

Are you concerned about your unusual lower back pain – call Sports Injury & Pain Management Clinic today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Febin Melepura for advanced pain treatment care. He identifies the causes behind your back pain and recommends the best remedies and treatment strategies to address them. He may also suggest necessary lifestyle modifications to manage your pain and symptoms so that you can continue participating in routine activities without any discomfort.

Febin Melepura, MD is a top rated, best in class interventional pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New York City and the country. He is an award winning expert and contributor to a prominent media outlets.

Dr. Febin Melepura has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain and, among other accolades, has been named a “top pain management doctor in New York”, and one of “America’s Top Doctors™” for an advanced sports injury treatments.

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