Why is Fibromyalgia More Common in Women?

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that leads to widespread pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. It affects more than 4 million adults in the US, according to the CDC. However, women are more often affected by this disease than men. 

At Pinnacle Health Chiropractic, Dr. Jason Ablett and his team offer expert and compassionate care when you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Dr. Ablett provides specialized chiropractic care to help you ease the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a complicated and poorly understood medical problem that causes musculoskeletal pain all over your body. It’s believed that fibromyalgia amplifies pain signals that are processed in your brain.

Fibromyalgia is a complicated disease that either begins gradually and worsens over time, or is triggered by a traumatic or stressful event. Either way, fibromyalgia causes many uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Trouble concentrating
• Sleep disturbances
• Pain in several areas of your body
• Dry eyes

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is also linked to several other uncomfortable conditions as well. If you have this disease, you may also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, depression or anxiety, and chronic migraines.

Risk factors for fibromyalgia

Being a woman isn’t the only factor that puts you at risk for fibromyalgia. There are various other things that contribute to your chances of developing this condition, including:

• History of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Being middle aged
• Having PTSD or extreme stress
• Family history 
• Viral illnesses
• Obesity

If you fall into any of the above categories, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop fibromyalgia. However, they do significantly increase your risk.

The only modifiable risk factor is obesity. By losing some weight, you could reduce your risk of developing fibromyalgia. 

Does it affect women more than men?

As a matter of fact, the CDC states that women are twice as likely to suffer from fibromyalgia than men. Women also have more tender points on their body than men, and have increased sensitivity to the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

While it’s not completely understood why women suffer from this condition more than men, there are a few theories. One theory is that fibromyalgia is brought on from hormonal changes. Women go through hormone changes a lot, especially during childbearing years.

The fluctuation in estrogen and progesterone may contribute to fibromyalgia symptoms. Pregnancy also causes significant changes in hormones, making it more likely you’ll suffer from symptoms.

Women are also more likely to suffer from mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. These factors contribute to the development of fibromyalgia, making women more likely to suffer from the disorder.

Fibromyalgia can be brought on by extreme stress or traumatic experiences. Women often suffer from high levels of stress, making them much more prone to fibromyalgia symptoms than men.

Managing fibromyalgia

If you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Dr. Ablett and his team can help you get control of your symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a life-long disease, but with proper care and treatment, you can control your flare-ups and live comfortably.

At your initial appointment, Dr. Ablett discusses your symptoms and performs an exam to find your tender points. Once he gets a good idea of how fibromyalgia is affecting your life, he develops a customized treatment plan.

Managing fibromyalgia is multi-faceted, and involves therapies such as chiropractic adjustments, medications, and massage therapy. Dr. Ablett also incorporates rehabilitative exercise to help ease your discomfort.

With regular appointments and lifestyle changes, Dr. Ablett helps you finally get your fibromyalgia symptoms under control.

If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia and want treatment that helps, don’t hesitate to call our office today to make an appointment with Dr. Ablett. You can also schedule an appointment online using the booking tool on our web page.