Stronger menstrual pain in women with fibromyalgia
by Admin
Posted on 22-08-2022 10:09 PM
Although the role of estrogen in pain syndromes is complex, higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy can be protective against childbirth pain. In contrast, when estrogen levels are low, such as at the onset of the menstrual cycle or in menopause, many women experience more sensitivity to pain. Not surprisingly,
fibromyalgia
often shows up in women between ages 40 and 55.
And sufferers still in their childbearing years often say their pain worsens just before and during their periods, when estrogen nosedives. There's a genetic component too: fibromyalgia tends to run in families.
A woman’s menstrual pains are already bad enough, and it can make fibromyalgia symptoms flare up. While it doesn’t apply to all, many women report worse symptoms of their condition before or during their monthly periods. And because the nervous system regulates menstrual cycles, it becomes sensitive to any changes. That includes any symptoms linked to fibromyalgia. Some of the symptoms connected to fibromyalgia are fatigue, headaches, and widespread pain. Some patients also go through memory problems and difficulty sleeping. Women with fibromyalgia also experience endometriosis. It is the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus or in other parts of the pelvis.
Often times, yes. Fibromyalgia symptoms can be more severe in women than in men. Women’s fibromyalgia symptoms have been found to be more widespread pain, severe irritable bowel syndrome and more fatigue. It is also common for women to experience painful menstrual periods with fibromyalgia.
Of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the majority are women. Although men are affected by this chronic pain disorder, they have a different experience than women with fewer and milder symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, headaches, temporomandibular joint problems, anxiety, and depression. So why do women have such a higher rate of diagnosis than men? some studies conducted about the disparity between men and women are largely based on theories that place sex hormones as the main culprit. Sex hormones have been shown to affect pain sensitivity and estrogen deficiencies have been considered as a significant factor in fibromyalgia. The effect that estrogen has on the body’s nervous system and pain is not fully known.
Intense fibromyalgia pain and tender points in women
In addition to widespread pain, fibromyalgia causes tender points. These are specific areas around the body, usually near your joints that hurt when they are pressed on or touched. Researchers have identified 18 possible tender points.
On average, women report at least two more tender points than men. These tender points are also more sensitive in women. You may experience pain in some or all of these places:
back of the head
a study , published in the oxford university press, looked at the occurrences of depression in men and women who have fibromyalgia. Researchers found that women who have the condition reported significantly higher levels of depression than men.
Increased bladder pain and bowel problems in women
Nearly half of people with fibromyalgia are also diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (ibs). This is a digestive disorder that causes cramping, belly pain, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. Acid reflux is another digestive disorder common among people with fibromyalgia. This occurs when stomach acid flows back up the tube connecting your stomach and mouth. Researchers in taiwan found that people with fibromyalgia are about one and a half times more likely to have acid reflux. Besides abdominal pain, women with fibromyalgia may have pelvic pain due to bladder pain. This can cause an increased urge to pee or frequent peeing.