What causes back pain in females?

Back pain among women is quite common. According to research, about 60% to 80% of the people experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. It is more common in women than in men and it can affect women of all age groups. But the effect of back pain in females can increase quite significantly with the increasing age. So, what causes back pain in females? This is one of the most common questions that many ask. If you too have the same question in your mind, then you are at the right place. Read on to know more about the causes or reasons for the back pain and how you can get rid of it.

5 reasons that cause back pain in females

There are many potential causes for lower back pain in women. While some of the causes can be serious and rare, some can be quite common. Here are the five main reasons that can cause back pain in females:

Poor posture

This is one of the most common causes of having back pain in women. Continuous poor posture can make the pain even worse. Poor posture is not only related to sitting posture like slumping or slouching for long hours at your working desk. Poor posture can also be leaning on just one leg when you are standing or even walking. When these wrong or poor postures are maintained for a prolonged period, it can cause a serious back issue. Wrong posture can increase strain on your ligaments and muscles around your lower back or lumbar spine. This can result in back pain.

Endometriosis

Another common reason for back pain in females is endometriosis. Endometriosis is one of the common gynecological conditions that affect almost 2% to 10% of the women in America. In this condition, endometrial i.e. the tissue that lines the uterus starts growing outside the uterus. Women with the endometriosis condition often have this tissue growing on fallopian tubes, ovaries etc. It can also grow around your bowel and urinary tract. This condition can cause severe back pain in females especially during or after sex, menstrual cycle, urination and bowel movement. Endometriosis can even cause pelvic pain.

PMS or PMDD

PMS is premenstrual syndrome which many women can suffer from before their periods. This can cause a severe momentary lower back pain along with many other symptoms. Even some women suffer from PMDD (premenstrual dysmorphic disorder) which is a much more severe form of PMS. Both PMS and PMDD can take a huge toll on the female body. This includes lower back pain too. During or before the periods, severe contractions can happen which can lead to lower back pain. Women who have endometriosis are more likely to experience back pain during the menstrual cycle.

Degenerative spondylolisthesis

The degenerative spondylolisthesis is considered as one of the major causes for lower back pain in women. It affects mainly the older women. This is a serious condition which happens when one vertebra present in your spinal cord slips over another one. As this is caused due to degeneration, this condition is known as degenerative spondylolisthesis. It is more common in women post menopause due to the lower level of estrogen produced. Lower level of estrogen can lead to increasing degradation of the vertebral disc which can result in loosing ligaments. This condition can cause severe pain in the lower back area in women.

Pregnancy

Another common cause of back pain in women is pregnancy. Almost every woman faces this back pain during their pregnancy. The main reason for this back pain is because of the shift in the center of gravity. Also, women tend to gain a lot of weight during their pregnancy which can elevate the problem more. During pregnancy, your body releases a lot of hormones that can relax the muscles and ligaments for preparing your body to give birth. During the fifth or seventh month of pregnancy, back pain can start and this can last for several months. This is quite common and the pain takes place right below your waist and all across the tailbone. Sometimes, this pain can increase and radiate towards your legs too.

These are the top 5 most common reasons that can cause back pain in women. If you are suffering from any of these, you can find out some of the ways to get rid of this pain. Health experts can diagnose your back pain easily and prescribe medication according to that.

How to get rid of back pain?

Now, when you know what causes back pain, you have to know some effective ways to get rid of it too. Though you can consult your doctor and take medicines, there are some other natural ways too. Here are some of the ways that can help you to fix the back pain and enjoy a better lifestyle:

Exercise & Yoga

There are some physical activities like exercises and yoga that can help you to get rid of the back pain. They not only provide momentary relief but these exercises can help you to get rid of them over time. Professional experts can guide you better with the best exercises and yoga that can provide relief from your back pain. When exercising and doing yoga, make sure to wear the right leggings for stretches and exercises as well as a comfortable workout top. This is essential to ensure proper circulation of blood when you are working out or doing all those stretches. Some of the best exercises to get rid of the back pain are:

• Bridges
• Lying lateral leg lifts
• Pelvic tilts
• Knee-to-chest stretches
• Downward-facing dog
• Cobra pose

The key to getting relief from your back pain is to work your core. When the muscles in and around your torso and abdomen are perfectly worked out, the back pain can be reduced. Make sure to do these exercises and yoga poses to get rid of your lower back pain caused due to several reasons. In case you are pregnant, it is better to consult a professional physiotherapist to know what exercises will be right for you.

Improve the posture

The most important and essential thing that you have to keep in mind in order to eliminate the back pain is right posture. Improving your posture and maintaining the right posture is extremely important. A wrong posture can create unnecessary strain or pressure on your spinal cord. This can, over the time, lead to some severe damages to your back causing extreme pain. You have to be very mindful about your postures and make sure to maintain the posture throughout. For instance, you have to roll your shoulders back rounded from time to time and sit upright in your chair. No matter how long you are sitting, keeping an upright posture is extremely important. If you want to change, take a break and do some stretches.

Change your shoes

If you are facing back pain every now and then after walking or running, it is time for you to change the pair of shoes. A good pair of shoes can improve the overall position of your feet and help it to be stabilized. Thus, it can help in improving the posture as well as the gait. Investing in a good pair of shoes can really help you to get rid of the muscle strain at your back. It can also help you to correct your posture, relieving stress from your back, legs and feet. Do a bit of research on the best pairs that are available in the market for women which can offer relief from the back pain.

Ice & heat treatment

One of the best and most effective treatments for relieving your back pain is ice and heat treatment. This treatment can work wonderfully during PMS or PMDD. But make sure to know how long you can apply the cold compress or heat to the back for treating the pain. Do not apply cold compress any longer than 15 minutes to 20 minutes at a time. You should not fall asleep while applying the cold compress or ice on your back. Same applies for the heat. If you are applying heat on the back pain, don't do it any longer for 15 minutes to 20 minutes. For a better idea, consult your health physician. He/she can guide you in a better way.

Conclusion

This is all about what causes back pain in females and how you can get rid of it. Back pain, as stated above, is more common in women or females. Not only aged women, but women from every age group can face severe to mild back pain every now and then due to the causes mentioned above. While doctors can prescribe some medications for that pain, you can try some of the exercises, yoga poses, maintain good posture and holistic remedies to get instant relief from the pain. Some of these ways can also provide relief from the back pain over the period of time. For more details, it is always better to consult your doctor or any health expert who can help you in this.