Back Pain in Women: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Lower back pain is a common complaint among women, and there are many potential causes. From weakened core muscles to prolonged sitting, the wrong type of exercise, improper lifting – or even underlying health conditions – finding the source of your lower back pain can be challenging.

This article will explore some of the most common causes of lower back pain in women and provide potential remedies to help alleviate the discomfort.

Common Back Pain in Women Causes

Women tend to be more prone to lower back pain due to physical differences and lifestyle habits. Common causes of female back pain can include:

• Poor posture
• Incorrect lifting technique
• Weak core muscles
• Stretching deficiencies
• Pregnancy can also cause lower back pain in women, as the weight of the baby stretches connective abdominal tissues and causes strain
• Menstrual cramps can also cause tightness or stiffness in the low back for some women as well

“Women are more prone to back pain than men because of differences in anatomy, hormonal changes, and pregnancy-related factors,” says Dr. Jennifer Solomon, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

To prevent or manage back pain, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight, engage in regular exercise, practice good posture, and avoid prolonged sitting or standing. For women who are pregnant or postpartum, working with a physical therapist or other healthcare provider can also be helpful in managing back pain.

Injuries

Injuries, such as sprains and strains, can cause lower back pain in women. Minor damage to the spine due to a minor accident or fall could result in backaches and muscle tension that may worsen over time if not treated properly.

Sports injuries, such as a pulled hamstring or groin strain, can also affect lower back muscles and cause pain in the lumbar area.

Remedy: Correct stretching techniques and proper form are key for avoiding muscle injuries.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Limited physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to back pain in women. Sitting for extended periods of time without breaks increases the risk of developing lower back pain.

This is compounded by improper posture when sitting, including slouching and hunching over a desk or device.

Remedy: Taking regular breaks to get up, stretch, and move around helps reduce the chance of developing back pain from sitting for too long.

Wearing Inappropriate Footwear for Extended Periods of Time

Wearing high heels, flip-flops, or any footwear with a heel higher than two inches that isn’t designed to provide adequate arch or ankle support can also contribute to back pain in women.

Shoes that are too tight around the toes can cause nerve compression, leading to lower back pain and other issues.

Remedy: It’s important to wear comfortable shoes that are the right size and provide support for your feet throughout the day.

Being Overweight or Obese

Women who are overweight or obese are more likely to have lower back pain than those with a healthy BMI. You can use a BMI calculator to find out your ideal BMI.

Being overweight increases the stress that your spine and pelvis undergo on a daily basis, making it more likely for you to experience pain in these areas.

Carrying excess weight can cause increased strain on the muscles, ligaments, and discs of the body leading to greater levels of pain and discomfort.

Remedy: Losing weight can be achieved by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and regular physical activity. Running or jogging at least three times a week, while using proper form and technique, can be an effective way to burn calories and shed unwanted pounds. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise or diet regimen.

Many people don’t realize that they may be jogging incorrectly, which can put unnecessary strain on their back.

To learn how to jog properly, start with a warm-up and stretch, maintain good posture, and focus on landing softly on your feet with each step. Gradually increase your speed and distance over time to build endurance and improve your overall fitness.

Breast Size

Chronic upper back pain is a common issue for many women, and breast size can often be a contributing factor. In fact, for some women, breast size can be a bigger cause of back pain than poor posture.

Remedy: Unfortunately, in cases where breasts are too large for a person’s frame, there may be no other solution to reduce the breast size than to undergo a breast reduction surgery, also known as a reduction mammaplasty.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Painful Menstruation

One common cause of back pain among women is premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can cause lower back pain, abdominal pain, headaches, and mood swings.

Another potential cause is dysmenorrhea, which is characterized by very painful menstruation. This condition can cause severe abdominal, leg, and hip pain that can last for several days.

The pain can range from dull to severe, and can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life.

Remedy: There are several remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

For mood symptoms, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline have been found to be effective. These medications are typically taken daily and are the first line of treatment for severe PMS or PMDD.

For menstrual cramps, soaking in a hot bath or using a heating pad, hot water bottle, or heat patch on the lower abdomen can provide relief. Additionally, dietary supplements and ibuprofen taken at the onset of bleeding or cramping can also help alleviate symptoms.

Sciatica

One of the most common back pain causes is sciatica. This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of each leg, becomes compressed or irritated. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, burning sensation, and may be accompanied by numbness or tingling in the affected leg.

Remedy: Treatment options include physical therapy, pain medication, and in severe cases, surgery.

Specific Female Back Pain Causes

Back pain is a common condition that affects both men and women, but there are certain conditions that are more prevalent in women.

Piriformis Syndrome

One such condition is piriformis syndrome, which is caused by spasms in the piriformis muscle located deep within the buttocks.

Women are more susceptible to this condition due to hormonal changes and pregnancy-related changes in the pelvis.

Symptoms of piriformis syndrome include difficulty sitting for long periods of time, radiating pain from the back of the thigh to the legs, and chronic pain in the buttock and hip area that worsens with hip movement.

Remedy: There are several treatment options available for Piriformis syndrome, including rest for a few days, home exercises to stretch or strengthen the piriformis, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Massage and medications that relax the muscles can also be used as complementary medicine. Physical therapy that focuses on stretching and strengthening the piriformis is also an effective treatment option.

In some cases, steroid injections or botulinum toxin injections (Botox®) may be recommended.

Surgery is usually not recommended unless all other therapies fail, and it may involve removing scar tissue or other sources of pressure on the nerve.

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis is often the culprit for lower back pain reported among women. This condition occurs when the area connecting the bottom of the spine to the pelvis, known as the sacroiliac joint, experiences pain and discomfort.

Women are more prone to this condition due to their smaller SI joint surface area, which results in a higher concentration of stress across the joint.

Symptoms of SI joint pain include lower back pain, shooting sharp pain down the thigh that does not extend past the knee, and a constant dull pain over the buttock.

Remedy: Sacroiliitis treatment options vary depending on the severity of symptoms and underlying cause. Initially, stretching and strengthening exercises and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often recommended.

If these do not provide sufficient relief, a healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain relievers or muscle relaxers. Biologic medicines, such as interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibitors and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, may also be used to treat autoimmune-related sacroiliitis.

Physical therapy can help with range-of-motion and stretching exercises to ease pain and improve flexibility and posture.

In more severe cases, joint injections, radiofrequency denervation, electrical stimulation, or joint fusion surgery may be recommended.

It is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for individual cases of sacroiliitis.

Spinal Osteoarthritis

This condition occurs when the cartilage in the facet joints of the spine breaks down, leading to bone-on-bone contact and resulting in pain and discomfort.

Symptoms of spinal osteoarthritis can include stiffness and pain in the morning, as well as pain in the lower back, upper back, thighs, groin, and buttocks.

Remedy: The primary goal of treating spinal osteoarthritis is to alleviate pain and improve functionality. This can be achieved through a combination of lifestyle changes and non-drug treatments.

Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight is often the first step, along with incorporating exercise into daily routines. Strengthening exercises, aerobic exercises, and range-of-motion exercises can all be beneficial.

Rest periods are also important, but prolonged bed rest or immobilization is not recommended.

Non-drug treatments such as massage, acupuncture, and heat or cold compresses can also provide relief.

Pain medications, including over-the-counter options like acetaminophen and NSAIDs, may be used but can have serious side effects. Topical ointments and creams may also be used but are generally not effective.

Prescription drugs, such as painkillers or corticosteroid injections, may be recommended by a doctor but do not reverse the underlying problem.

Surgery is typically only recommended in severe cases where bladder and bowel function is impaired or the nervous system is damaged. Overall, a combination of lifestyle changes and non-drug treatments can effectively manage spinal osteoarthritis.

Coccydynia

Coccydynia is a condition characterized by pain in the tailbone area of the spine. It is often caused by trauma, and is more common in women due to differences in pelvic shape resulting from childbirth-related injuries.

Symptoms of coccydynia include pain while sitting, particularly on hard surfaces, as well as discomfort when standing up from a seated position or leaning backwards while sitting.

Remedy: Tailbone pain, also known as coccydynia, can often be treated at home without medical intervention. However, for those who require treatment, there are a variety of options available.

At-home remedies include taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen, reducing sitting time, using a cushion when sitting, taking hot baths, and stretching and strengthening lower back and pelvic muscles.

Outpatient treatments may include nerve blocking, massage therapy, acupuncture, TENS, and physical therapy.

Surgical options, such as partial or total coccygectomy, are extremely rare and typically only considered as a last resort.

It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for individual cases of coccydynia.