Why Women are More Prone to Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, or pain lasting for more than 12 weeks, impacts every part of your life. And research shows that chronic pain may be more likely to impact some individuals than others. Specifically, chronic pain often seems to target women. Women have a higher risk of chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia than men.

Multiple factors play into this imbalance in gendered risk. At Iconic Infusions, PLLC, board-certified anesthesiologist Dr. Bryant Edwards understands the unique risks women’s biology and lived experiences put them at when it comes to living with chronic pain.

Dr. Edwards takes pain problems seriously and can recommend treatments and therapies, such as ketamine infusion, available at his Briarwood Hills, Fayetteville, North Carolina clinic. Treatment offers relief and restoration for women who feel frustrated or limited by chronic pain. Here’s what you need to know about chronic pain risks and management for women.

Causes of common chronic pain conditions in women

If you’re wondering why women tend to suffer more frequently from chronic pain, here are some factors to consider.

Abdominal and pelvic problems

Women have higher risks for chronic abdominal and pelvic pain than men. Women are more likely to suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, with accompanying abdominal pain symptoms. And,

Stress often correlates with irritable bowels, and gendered issues like childbirth and intimate partner violence play a major role in many women’s pelvic pain. That’s part of why these problems are more common for women than men.

Musculoskeletal issues

Your musculoskeletal system of bones and muscles holds your body together. Types of chronic musculoskeletal pain include osteoarthritis, back pain, and fibromyalgia.

Studies show that chronic musculoskeletal pain is more common in females than males. As women age, hormone changes can result in bone mass loss. Women also tend to experience more vertebral degeneration and compression fractures, contributing to musculoskeletal pain and falling risk.

Autoimmune disorders

Women’s immune systems differ from men’s due to the need to safely carry a pregnancy. These differences also mean that women are more prone to autoimmune disorders like lupus. Many autoimmune disorders include symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue.

Migraines and headaches

Women are significantly more likely to experience migraines and other types of headaches than men. Women also tend to report more severe headache symptoms, including vomiting.

After reviewing this information, it’s clearer why women make up more than half of chronic pain patients.

Treating your chronic pain

Dr. Bryant and the team at Iconic Infusions, PLLC, use various multidisciplinary techniques to address and resolve your chronic pain symptoms. Dr. Bryant specializes in ketamine infusion therapy, a promising option for chronic pain management.

In this type of therapy, intravenous (IV) infusion of the anesthetic medication ketamine sends pain relief directly into your bloodstream. A series of ketamine infusion sessions may significantly reduce your chronic pain levels.

To learn more about your chronic pain treatment options, contact Dr. Bryant at Iconic Infusions, PLLC. Schedule your initial consultation appointment online or over the phone today.