Women already have to endure physical and mental difficulties every day. Bringing fibromyalgia in the picture doubles their hardships in life. In case you didn’t know, about 90% of fibromyalgia patients are women.

If you are not familiar with fibromyalgia, we hope that this article would enlighten you and give insights into the struggles of women with fibromyalgia.

What You Should Understand About Fibromyalgia

People who seek fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City OK typically ask, “What causes fibromyalgia?” Well, there are many possible factors, such as genetics, hormonal fluctuations, disorders in the immune system.

Although people with fibromyalgia develop this condition from various causes, some of those who look for fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City OK report one common symptom: constant pain.

This lingering pain is like no other since it affects the whole body. Patients describe this pain as dull and persistent– as if it will never fade. If that description is not worse enough, fibromyalgia pains usually come along with other symptoms and conditions:

pins and needles feeling in the muscles
headaches
migraines
nausea
vomiting
poor concentration or focus
short term memory issues
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
extreme fatigue and weakness

Unfortunately, women often feel more severe fibromyalgia symptoms than men. This is one topic that piques the interest of those who search for fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City OK. Along with this topic, we’ll talk about other essential facts about fibromyalgia in women.

Why Women with Fibromyalgia Have It Worse

Fibromyalgia can afflict both men and women. However, history shows that this pain disorder is more prevalent in females. Perhaps because some men show symptoms but are not diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A fibromyalgia diagnosis is only granted to those who experience widespread pain and tenderness.

Given the condition’s prevalence among women, many studies provide much data comparing the effects of this condition on women versus men. An excellent example of fibromyalgia’s harsh impact on women is its ability to induce depression.

Let’s talk about three major reasons why fibromyalgia is worse in women:

#1. Women Have More Tender Points than Men.

Patients with fibromyalgia may experience widespread tenderness. This symptom may disappear from time to time or suddenly flare up one moment before the next. If you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, this tenderness can get in the way of your daily tasks since it would be painful even to move.

While both women and men with fibromyalgia feel tenderness throughout their bodies, women experience this symptom for more extended periods and more intense than men. Why is it so? There are two possible reasons:

Men are less sensitive when it comes to pain and tenderness.
Women have more tender points than men.

To sum up what these tender points are, imagine 18 areas or points in your body that grow painful when touched. Aside from the joints, tender points can occur in the pelvic area, among other regions.

Suppose you are a woman with fibromyalgia. If you feel tenderness in the pelvic region for most of the year, you likely have chronic pelvic pain and dysfunction or CPPD.

#2. Women Are More Vulnerable to Bowel and Bladder Problems.

CPPD can bring about other conditions. For example, CPPD can trigger IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and PBS (painful bladder syndrome) in women.

IBS is an umbrella term used to call bowel issues not limited to diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and gas. On the other hand, PBS is a condition that afflicts the bladder and urination. It can lead to painful urination and bladder pressure, as well as cramps. PBS can also make intercourse uncomfortable and painful for women. For these reasons, many women wish for fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City OK.

#3. Women Experience More Pain During Periods.

If you’re a woman, you are familiar with the monthly struggle during menstrual cycles. Hormonal changes often result in pain, migraines, and other symptoms you experience in connection to your periods. But, did you know that hormonal fluctuations can also trigger worse fibromyalgia flare-ups in women?

These hormonal changes can intensify the cramps and pain women experience during the time of the month. These painful sensations can also lead to muscle soreness, irritability, and anxiety among women who still have their periods.

Dealing with Fibromyalgia Symptoms Naturally

Coping with fibromyalgia might be more difficult for women than men, but there is still hope. Nothing can cure fibromyalgia; however, there are plenty of ways to manage its symptoms. You can live free from the pain and frustration caused by this disorder.

Here are five natural ways to deal with fibromyalgia:

Switch up your diet

A healthy diet is a constant part of improving your body’s endurance and strength. To combat fibromyalgia pain with food, avoid eating foods that cause inflammation.

Drink more water

Keeping yourself hydrated is an excellent method to fight off pains and fatigue.

Engage in stress-relieving activities

Stress is a trigger for many conditions, including fibromyalgia. To keep flare-ups at bay, involve yourself in ventures that can alleviate stress.

Exercise

Exercise is a wonderful way to relieve stress and train your body to become stronger and less sensitive to fibromyalgia symptoms.

Get upper cervical chiropractic care

First and foremost, fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder. Neurological disorders, simply put, can impact the central nervous system (CNS). So, quite possibly, malfunctions in the CNS can cause these types of conditions.

Upper neck misalignments are typical and prevalent reasons for CNS malfunction. Suppose you were involved in an accident that hurt your neck or head before your fibromyalgia diagnosis. In that case, you should get help from a chiropractor providing fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City OK.

Here at Precision Chiropractic, Dr. Sheppard can help you with your fibromyalgia troubles. NUCCA chiropractors, like her, can assess and correct misalignments in the neck, giving your body a chance to recover better from painful conditions like fibromyalgia.

Our patient testimonials can prove the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic, particularly the NUCCA procedure. Experience the benefits yourself! Call us at 405-378-3100 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheppard today.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheppard, call our Oklahoma City office at 405-378-3100. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.