6 Reasons Why Do Women Suffer from Hip Pain?

So, why do women suffer from hip pain? and how can it be removed? That’s the main issue. Let us explore. Hip pain is a common complaining issue among many women and the hip pain range from dull aches to sharp pain. The hip is known to be a complex joint in our bone structure that is very crucial for movement and stability and hence, it is more prone to various types of injuries and conditions.

1. Why Do Women Suffer from Hip Pain?

Why do women suffer from hip pain? Some common causes of hip pain in women include Osteoarthritis¹, bursitis, tendinitis, stress fractures, and menstrual cramps. It is essential for women to seek medical attention for persistent hip pain, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and prevent further deterioration of the hip joint.

There­ are various treatments available­ for managing pain, including injections such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) ²and bone­ marrow injections, surgical interventions, and ne­rve stimulation therapies. The­se treatment options can be­ accessed regardle­ss of your location. For instance, if you are in New Braunfe­ls city, the New Braunfels Pain Doctor is available­ to support you on your pain management journey. So don’t let chronic pain hold you back any longer. Schedule a consultation with professionals in the field and put a start for your pain-free future.

1.1. Hip Arthritis

Arthritis pain is very often felt in the frontal region of the thigh or in the groin area. Stiffness and oedema in the joint are the root causes of this condition. There are several types of arthritis; they are:

• Osteoarthritis: Wearing down the cartilage surrounding the hip joints is related to progressing age.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: It is similar to Osteoarthritis but caused by trauma to the hip joint, for instance, hip fractures.
• Infectious arthritis: Any infection in the hip joint can disorder the cartilage and may lead to infectious arthritis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder³ destroying the healthy joints. Eventually, the cartilages and bones destroy.
• Septic arthritis: an infection in joints (especially the hip joint) caused by germs or bacteria which spread via the bloodstream

Why do women suffer from hip pain? Out of these, Hip Osteoarthritis is a common cause of chronic hip pain in women because of the way the ball and socket of the hip joint are associated differently than in men.

1.1.1 Symptoms

Hip pain⁴ is the first common sign of arthritis and is exacerbated by exercises such as walking or sitting for extended periods.

Why do women suffer from hip pain? Stiffness in the hip joint, which you can experience in daily functioning like discomfort in getting up from the toilet or bending over to lift something.

1.1.2. Preventive Measure

Why do women suffer from hip pain? Women need to be very cautious about Osteoarthritis since it has no cure, but there are some medications to reduce the radiation of the pain and mild inconvenience can be reduced by physical therapy and enhance hip joint function.

In severe cases, women tend to experience unbearable hip pain and there are some treatment options through which the source causing pain is eradicated and replaced.

In older adults, hip replacement is the only treatment to relieve hip pain, and it is to mind that, an artificial hip is implanted for a lifetime.

For younger women, since there is a growth and development of bones till their teenage, hip resurfacing⁵ is done. This treatment is particular to regain the functionality of the hip over a period of time.

1.2. Iliotibial Band Syndrome

The Iliotibial band (ITB) is a connective tissue that is made of a thick band of ligament, located on the lateral side of the thigh extending from the iliac crest and inserted into the knee.

The main functions of ITB include the following:

1. Hip extension
2. Hip abduction
3. Lateral hip rotation

Since ITB is a connective tissue, it can’t extend or shorten like muscles. So, Why do women suffer from hip pain? Whenever it stiffens, it produces acute pain.

1.2.1. Symptoms

The symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome include chronic pain in the outer hip, thigh, or knee and the pain felt at every step you walk or any other activities which involve the legs (like running and cycling).

The pain intensity will build up when you descend stairs or downhill.

1.2.2. Preventive Measure

• Avoid those activities that stimulate pain.
• Choose low-impact exercises like walking and swimming
• Stretch your thigh and hamstrings before a workout
• Try not to sit for long periods.
• Timely replace the jogging shoes.

1.3. Hip Impingement

Also known as Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI), it is an abnormality in which the femoral head (a ball-like structure present on the tip of the femur or thigh bone) pokes the acetabulum or hip socket (cup-like formation on the hip bone).

Initially, the femoral head is of a sphere shape, later on, it distorts its shape to an ovoid, which damages the cartilage since it won’t fit into the acetabulum.

Younger patients cannot diagnose the Impingement of the hip. Therefore, FAI can only be diagnosed once after acute pain in the groin area and upper thigh.

1.3.1. Symptoms

Hip impingement ⁶won’t show any symptoms for years; the shape of the femoral head slowly distorts when you walk. When it is deformed partially, it starts giving slight pain and then the intensity of hip pain rises up.

1.3.2. Preventive measures

You can avoid hip impingement by taking the following measures:

• Perform alternative work that eases pain
• Physiotherapy and exercises to strengthen the hip can relieve hip pain
• Taking rest is first and foremost of all

1.4. Hip Fractures

Hip fractures⁷ are prevalent in older women and those with osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become soft, less dense, and brittle.

At younger ages, Why do women suffer from hip pain? Hip fractures occur due to either accidents or trauma; still, in the elderly, menopause can be a reason for acute calcium loss. During menopause, the estrogen levels start to decrease, and as a result, calcium absorption falls, leading to weakening bone density.

1.4.1. Symptoms

Symptoms of a hip fracture include acute pain in the hip or groin region, difficulty jumping up after a tumble, and inflammation around and within the hip region.

1.4.2. Preventive measures

• Follow a healthy lifestyle from childhood.
• Eat calcium and vitamin-rich foods.
• It is equally important to do yoga postures, regular exercises, and workouts (avoid heavier equipment); these can help maintain bone health.

1.5. Bursitis Tendinitis

In our body, most joints are covered by bursa (fluid-filled sac). Their main role is to provide a medium for the bones to function without friction and protection to the joints.

These bursae are mainly present in hip joins. Why do women suffer from hip pain?

Therefore, inflammation or swelling of these bursae can potentially produce pain and intrude on everyday routine.

Why do women suffer from hip pain? An infection can stimulate inflammation. The aftereffects of rheumatoid arthritis can also cause bursitis too.

Tendonitis⁸ is also like bursitis, but the difference is, inflammation occurs at the connective tissue, which connects muscle and bone, and swells over the joint, known as tendonitis.

1.5.1. Symptoms

The pain is very similar to arthritis pain which eventually builds up along with movement.

1.5.2. Preventive Measures

• Stretching exercises
• If you wish to start a new training or activity, get proper guidance.
• Avoid repetitive activities that aggravate the pain in the hip joint

1.6. Why Do Women Suffer from Hip Pain, Especially During Pregnancy?

Pregnant women will feel intense pain while giving birth to a child. Hip pain in pregnant women begins in the second or third trimester (3 months duration) because a woman’s body undergoes various changes to hold the developing baby inside the uterus and then the pain can radiate along the leg’s lower back, hip, and backside.

The growing baby inside your belly can build a curvature that weighs a lot more and causes immense pain in the lower back and weight-bearing joints (hip joints)

Why do women suffer from hip pain? During pregnancy, the hormone called relaxin causes the ligaments of the hip joint to relax so as to widen the passage, making it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal.

However, the relaxation of hip pain gives immense pain since bones are not flexible, leading to pain and discomfort.

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a common after-pregnancy hip pain but the positive aspect is, this pain vanishes a few months after the delivery, and in rare chances, it stays for an extended period.

2. Other Reasons For Hip Pain

There are some other conditions that can stimulate referred pain in the hip. The following can cause hip pain in a woman, which can be caused due to pain or injury in one area that impacts the hip or groin too.

2.1. Hip Pain Due To Sciatica

The pain radiates along the areas through which the sciatic nerve travels, they are the lower back, hips, and buttocks. The possible cause of sciatica could be the pressure on the sciatic nerve due to dense bone.

Sciatica symptoms include inflammation, hip pain, and one can experience numbness in the leg (where the nerve passes).

2.2. Hip Pain Due to Endometriosis

Endometriosis⁹ is a disorder in which the tissue resembling endometrium grows inside the uterus but is supposed to grow as an outer layer of the uterus and then the endometrial swellings that surround the nerve cause hip pain in women.

2.3. Inguinal Hernias and Groin Hernias

Inguinal hernias are caused by soft tissue, like a part in the small intestine, bulging through weak points in the abdominal muscles. This bulge can be painful if you cough or lift an excess weight, but many hernias remain unpainful.

Groin Hernias are similar to inguinal hernias which poke via soft tissue through weak points in abdominal muscles.

In severe cases, inguinal hernias could be fatal. You may require surgery to fix the hernia.

3. Home Remedies to Counter Hip Pain

There are multiple stimulations for hip pain but here are a few things which you can do to relieve pain in many circumstances, they are:

• Rest: whenever your hip hurts, pause everything and continue after a while. During bedtime, avoid sleeping on one side of your hip.
• Use Painkillers: painkillers (such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen) can help reduce hip pain and inflammation.
• Warm Bath: the next possible thing can be a warm bath or a hot shower that can reduce hip pain by stretching the muscles.
• Perform Stretch Exercise: Regular stretching exercises will naturally prevent hip pain.

4. Conclusion

Various factors, such as Osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, stress fractures, menstrual cramps, etc., can further cause hip pain in women. The proper treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include rest, physical therapy, medications, or in some cases, surgery. If you are experiencing hip pain frequently then it is prior to seeking an orthopedic doctor.

Lastly, If your back is disturbing you from sleep, check out: 10 Life Hacks to Sleep with Back Pain.

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Last Updated on April 27, 2024 by laibaarif