Low estrogen levels degrade the spinal discs and loosen the ligaments that hold vertebrae together, which causes spinal instability. Often, this condition causes lower back pain radiating into the legs and pain when walking due to spinal cord compression.
Hormonal changes
And as your oestrogen decreases, this can cause a shrinking of the spine, just ever so slightly. And that can then impact on both movement and flexibility of your spine as well. That in itself can cause a lot of discomfort and back pain.
Estrogen also helps to maintain tissues that contain collagen, which can be found in intervertebral discs. Research has associated the lower estrogen levels that follow menopause to more severe lumbar disc degeneration and increased lower back pain in women when compared to men of a similar age.
Menstruation or Uterine Dysfunction
Dysmenorrhea, a uterine dysfunction which is the origin of frequent and severe cramping for women during menstruation, also predisposes women to back pain. The condition is classified as either primary or secondary, and with both types, low back pain is a common symptom.
Hormones are the second main cause of pregnancy-related lower back pain. During the first half of pregnancy, your body's levels of progesterone (a hormone that stimulates the uterus) surge, helping to loosen and relax the ligaments and tissues that are going to stretch as the pregnancy progresses.
Progesterone levels begin to rise after ovulation through the end of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of high progesterone are similar to premenstrual syndrome and can include anxiety and agitation, bloating, breast swelling and tenderness, depression, fatigue, and weight gain.
Uterine fibroids that grow on the back side of the uterus can protrude just enough that they exert pressure on the lower spine. As a result, nerves can easily be pinched and cause everything from localized pain in the lower back to radiating pain that shoots down the legs and involves the hips.
Injuries are the major cause of back pain in women. Injuries like overuse of muscles or sprains commonly occur due to heavy lifting or sudden movement's causes middle or lower back pain. These muscle overuse injuries are common in pregnancy.
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve.
[3] Most studies show that women with a higher menopause symptom burden may be the most vulnerable for chronic back pain. [4] Despite this, little attention has been paid to pain in the spine/low back ache and various problems of peripheral joints which are equally prevalent in this period of life.
All analyzed studies showed that women who are experiencing or experienced menopause suffered from increased joint and spine pain. According to Dugan et al. [10], 61% of women in the study group of 2218 reported lumbar spine pain.
Prostaglandins act as signals to control several different processes depending on the part of the body in which they are made. Prostaglandins are made at sites of tissue damage or infection, where they cause inflammation, pain and fever as part of the healing process.
Back pain caused by your period may range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that interferes with daily activities. Back pain associated with your period can start a few days before it starts and get better after your period is over. This type of back pain is typically muscular and caused by hormonal changes.
Sometimes it can come on suddenly – from an accident, a fall, or lifting something heavy, or it can develop slowly because of age-related degenerative changes in the spine. In some cases, inflammatory arthritis disorders or other medical conditions cause back pain.
Strains and sprains: Back strains and sprains are the most common cause of back pain. You can injure muscles, tendons or ligaments by lifting something too heavy or not lifting safely. Some people strain their back by sneezing, coughing, twisting or bending over.
Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain
Arthritis of the spine —the gradual thinning of the cartilage inside the spine. Spinal stenosis —narrowing of the spinal canal that may lead to nerve pain. Disc problems, such as a herniated or bulging disc. Myofascial pain syndrome—unexplained muscle pain and tenderness.
Fibroids can cause back pain, especially those that grow on the outside walls of the person's uterus or in between the muscle layers toward the back of the uterus. The fibroids may exert pressure on the person's spine, which can cause pain in their legs, hips, and lower back.
Large fibroids can make the uterus big, leading to lower back pain or pelvic discomfort.
Genes associated with follicle growth were not significantly altered by vitamin D3. However, it increases expression of genes involved in the estrogen-biosynthesis. Further, estrogen concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media increased in response to vitamin D3.