Why Does My Lower Back Hurt (Female)?

June 24, 2024
Posted by Sylvia C
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Why does my lower back hurt? That is a frequent question asked by many. According to the WHO, the number of people suffering from low back pain is estimated to be 843 million by 2050.[1] Among such a huge group, women can be more prone to LBP (low back pain).

If you are one of the women who are suffering, this article offers a comprehensive guide to the question: Why does my lower back hurt (female)? Be it severe lower back and hip pain (female) or stomach and back pain together, you may find the cause on this page.

Fivali A Woman with Lower Back Pain - Guide

Why Does My Lower Back Hurt (Female)?

There are many causes of lower back pain in women. Some of them include:

1. Menstruation

This is a condition that can happen to many women. Before or while menstruating, hormonal changes can cause uterine cramps and constrictions. This may lead to periodic back pain which may be combined with abdomen cramps and discomfort.

2. Pregnancy

Pregnancy is also a famous cause of stomach and back pain together. This pain may intensify as the pregnancy proceeds, as the fetus is getting bigger and the mother feels extra pressure on her abdomen and backbone of the pregnancy. The hormonal change can also increase back pain, which is often persistently dull or aching.

3. Muscle Tension and Strain

Muscle strain and tension can result in back pain, such as serious lower back and hip pain. Lower back pain can be caused by:

Holding the same posture for long periods of time results in imbalanced and stretched muscles out of control.
Absence of physical activity results in a muscle weakness.
Incorrect lifting techniques, like bending at the waist instead of bending the knees, exerting excessive strain on the lower back region and spine.
Overloading while lifting that causes excessive muscle and ligament stress.

4. Gynecological Diseases

Your lower back pain can be a warning sign of some gynecological diseases. Some typical causes are:

Pelvic inflammation: The inflammatory changes in the pelvic region can produce dull lower back pain.
Ovarian cysts: Larger cysts may induce pain in the abdomen or lower back. This type of back pain can be dull and aching.
Uterine fibroids: Fibroids may develop and press on surroundings tissues, resulting in pain in the abdomen and lower back.
Endometriosis: It is a condition in which the lining tissue of the uterus develops outside the uterus cavity. It can trigger lower back pain by resulting in inflammation or tension on the nerves.

5. Spinal Diseases

The reason why your lower back hurts can be spinal problems. Some of them are:

Herniated disc: The herniated disc can stimulate similar nearby nerves, causing lower back pain that may migrate down the leg.
Scoliosis: The spine in an abnormal curvature can provoke lower back pain, depending on the severity and location of the curve.
Spinal osteoarthritis: Spinal osteoarthritis can affect the neck and back, creating stiffness or pain.

How to Alleviate Lower Back Pain by Yourself

The above, hopefully, helps you figure out the question: Why does my lower back hurt (female)? Except for those causes requiring professional medical help, what can you do to soothe your lower back pain? This section will supply you with some useful tips.

1. Try Hot and Cold Therapy

Putting a cold pack on the afflicted area lowers infection and relieves pain, while a hot pack eases tense muscles and improves blood circulation to the area to heal the pain.

2. Wear a Back Brace

A modern way to relieve chronic back pain is to use a back brace. By allowing additional control and pressure, back braces can help to minimize the pressure on the backbone and its muscles at work in the spine. A several brands, including Fivali, have back braces for back pain that specialize in back pain. For example, in some cases, back braces deliver pleasant warmth as well as a vibrational massage, resulting in focused soothing of the pain.

Fivali Heating Pad for Back Pain, Massage Body and Alleviate Fatigue - Guide

Product shown in the picture: Fivali Heating Pad for Back Pain, Massage Body and Alleviate Fatigue

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an old form of traditional Chinese medicine that is practiced by plunging fine needles into specified acupuncture points on the various parts of the body, including the lower back of the body in general at this point. With this it promotes rehabilitation by regulating the flow of energy known as “qi”. An acupuncture can be tried by you with professional guidance, since studies have shown that it can provide short-term relief from chronic lower back pain.

4. Massage

Massage treatment is another method worth trying to ease lower back pain with. Periodic massages are used to help loosen tension, lower muscle spasms, which improve blood circulation. Nevertheless, massage therapy should be carried by a licensed practitioner, as it may lead to new complaints or complications by working on the wrong muscles instead of on the wrong ones.

5. Sustain a Proper Fitness Habit

A well-planned exercise daily routine can also help ease that lower back pain. Some ordinary aerobic exercises, such as walking and cycling, are beneficial for healing and reducing inflammation. Low-impact exercises including both yoga and Pilates can also help.

Professional Medical Methods to Cure Lower Back Pain

If your lower back pain persists or even worsens, it's time to turn to a medical professional.

1. Physical Therapists

Physical therapists will develop a customized exercise and treatment plan for your needs. They guide patients through exercises that strengthen the back muscles, improve flexibility, and correct posture, all of which can be helpful in reducing lower back pain. They may also perform manual therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to alleviate pain and boost healing.

2. Specialist Doctors

Specialist doctors will reach the bottom of the issue by doing diagnostic tests, like X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasounds, which will give them a detailed view of spinal or gynecological cases. Additionally, the blood test can be another feasible way to determine the situation.

Note: For spinal issues, an orthopedic surgeon or a neurosurgeon might be consulted, while for gynecological issues, an obstetrician-gynecologist would be more appropriate.

Once the core of the issue is diagnosed, the treatment becomes easier. The doctor will better know where to advise you on some medications or, in the worst case, go for a surgery option. But surgery is considered when conservative treatments have not been effective, or when the condition poses a significant risk to the patient's health.

How to Prevent Back Pain

To avoid annoying lower back pain, there are some tips that you can practice:

1. Adjust Lifestyle

Pay attention to your lifestyle. Try to get yourself more involved in physical activities. It can strengthen the back muscles and increase flexibility. Also, when sitting and sleeping, make sure you are maintaining a posture that does not put continuous strain on one body point.

Some important helpers to prevent back pain are a chair that can support the natural curve of your spine and help you keep your feet flat on the floor, and a mattress that provides good support and maintains a neutral spine position.

2. Daily Back Exercise Recommendations

If you properly follow some daily back exercises, you will free yourself from googling the question: Why does my back hurt (female)? Some common exercises for this purpose include:

Pelvic tilts
Bridges
Leg raises
Cat-cow stretches
Hamstring stretches

3. Healthy Diet Routine

Perhaps the most underrated solution to prevent lower back pain is improving your diet. A well-balanced diet helps control your weight, which will eventually reduce stress on the spine. The key is to consume high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Combat inflammation by incorporating Omega-3-rich foods such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds into your daily diet. These foods have anti-inflammatory properties that alleviate pain. Adequate calcium intake is also necessary to improve bone strength. This can be done by having low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.

The causes vary to the question: "Why does my lower back hurt (female)?". Finding the right cause can lead to the most effective way to stop back pain and get back to normal daily life. In addition, engaging in preventive measures, like proper exercise and a supportive diet, plays a crucial role in mitigating and possibly eliminating this common yet debilitating condition. If you are experiencing this type of pain, remember to seek medical advice if your home remedies are not helping. Fivali may have back brace solutions to soothe your condition or help your healing process.