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Why Arthritis Affects Women More Than Men

Radhamma-58 is a retired school teacher. Although she has spent most of her life working, the retired school teacher is now dealing with osteo arthritis. And the intriguing part is that her mother and her daughter are also dealing with the same issue. Her family members joke that their family women seem to have an uncanny attraction to arthritis, but experts have a different story. According to them, arthritis doesn’t affect only Radhamma’s family, but most women in general, and there is a scientific reason for that. 

All about arthritis 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention( CDC), Arthritis is a general term for conditions that affect the joints, tissues around joints, and other connective tissues. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The causes of some forms of arthritis are unknown.

Some behaviors and characteristics can increase the chances of developing arthritis.

Several of these risk factors are:

Smoking

Obesity

Joint injuries—like from sports, falls, and accidents.

Work-related activities that lead to joint injury, like bending, squatting, and other repetitive motions.

Arthritis is of two types:

Osteoarthritis (OA): This is characterized by swelling and stiffness in joints as they are broken down. This cannot be cured but effectively managed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Here, the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.

The women-arthritis connection

We have found 7 major factors that link women to the condition.

1-The hormones

Hormones, particularly estrogen, contribute largely to the reasons arthritis happens to women in large proportions. Estrogen is protection for the bones and cartilage to maintain the flexibility of the joint and decrease inflammation.

When estrogen may also be lowered during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause,

it makes joints weak.

2-Autoimmune vulnerability

Men and women have different immune system workings. Women have a more active system that makes them more prone to inflammation and arthritis. Along with this, their genetic makeup also adds to the risk due to the presence of the X chromosome.

3-Structural differences

The joint health of women is also influenced by their body structure.

Women naturally have wider hips, a different knee alignment, less muscle mass, and more flexible ligaments. This makes the women more susceptible to osteoarthritis and experience more pain and discomfort.

4- Pregnancy and childbirth 

Pregnancy is a beautiful but physically stressful process that puts huge liability on the joints, especially the hips, lower back, and knees. Joints can also be exposed to wear and tear due to the hormone relaxin, which makes the ligaments loose to facilitate the delivery of the child.

Joint stress may further be enhanced by postpartum weight gain and physical inactivity. Moreover, pregnant women and those who bear children perform a range of tasks that contribute to a harder recovery process.

5-Lifestyle

Lifestyle-related contributors are:

Physical inactivity

Bad posture

Stress 

Late access to health care

6-Weight 

Women generally undergo more hormonal imbalances and changes, and these have a direct effect on body weight. The additional kilos add more pressure on the joints and invite arthritis more in women.

7-Emotional and psychological aspects

Women are more sensitive and hence more likely to be affected emotionally and socially. Radhamma shares that the pain her condition gives her makes her irritable and has been a source of anxiety and depression in her life. Experts say that the stress experienced, along with social stigma, can take its toll on the psyche of women faster and, in turn, aggravate the condition further.

Why early action matters

Radhamma confirms that she took a long time before she could actually notice that her joints were stiff and swollen until the pain was unbearable. She warns women with such symptoms against waiting till the condition deteriorates and recommends that women should seek medical attention as soon as the symptoms appear.

Arefa Ali is a Bengaluru-based physiotherapist who says that fatigue in the form of prolonged fatigue is also among the symptoms of arthritis. She advises women to be conscious, watch out, and observe any changes.

According to Arefa, timely treatment and early detection would save the joints and avoid complications.

She recommends exercise, proper diet, and de-stressing as her tips for proper joints.

She also writes that a proper and holistic rehabilitation measure, comprising physical therapy, diet assistance, also with other alternative treatments, such as yoga, mindfulness, and counseling, can ensure that the joints become stronger and reduce the number of complications.