Why Women Are More Prone to Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by musculoskeletal pain, brain fog, and fatigue. Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, but research shows most diagnoses (approximately 80% to 90%) are in women. 

Scientists don’t know why women are more susceptible, but several factors are thought to play a role. At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, specializes in treating fibromyalgia.

This article defines fibromyalgia, highlights potential reasons women are more likely to have it, and explains how interventional pain management can help.

Understanding fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (ongoing) disorder that causes persistent pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Researchers don’t understand the exact mechanisms that cause it, but it’s thought to affect the way the brain and spinal cord interpret pain.

Fibromyalgia symptoms often occur after a triggering event, such as an injury, surgery, or infection. They typically worsen over time, affecting your ability to work, exercise, and do other daily tasks. 

The gender gap in diagnosis

Women are significantly more likely to develop fibromyalgia compared to men. The exact reason why is unknown, but diagnosis often occurs during the reproductive years, when hormonal fluctuations caused by menstruation and pregnancy are more common. Women’s nervous systems also respond to stress and pain differently from men's. 

Research is ongoing, but these factors are the leading theories in why more women are diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Reasons why women are more affected

Let’s take a closer look at some of the contributing factors that make fibromyalgia more common in women: 

Hormonal differences

Female sex hormones, like estrogen, influence reproduction, but they also help regulate pain perception and how your body experiences it. Hormones naturally fluctuate due to menstruation, pregnancy, and perimenopause, but these fluctuations can make you more sensitive to fibromyalgia symptoms like joint pain and fatigue.

Differences in pain perception

Studies show that there may be differences in how men and women process pain and how their bodies naturally reduce or block pain signals. Women also experience pain differently, and in some cases, more intensely than men. Together, these factors alongside hormone fluctuations can make fibromyalgia symptoms more noticeable.

Genetic and biological factors

Fibromyalgia tends to run in families. If your mom, sister, or grandma had fibromyalgia, you’re more likely to experience it as well. In fact, studies show that women with a family history of fibromyalgia are 8.5% more likely to develop it compared to women who don’t. 

Psychological and social influences

Women often experience different types or higher levels of stress than men, including stress related to mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression. At the same time, Western cultures often place more caregiving and organizational responsibilities on women, which can increase stress levels. Over time, chronic stress may act as a trigger or contributing factor for fibromyalgia symptoms.

Comprehensive treatment options for relief

Because fibromyalgia affects each person differently, Dr. Merson specializes in diagnosing the condition and creating personalized treatment plans that ease your symptoms and promote long-term wellness. Our goal is to quiet the nervous system and restore your quality of life through a variety of proven strategies:

• Medication management: We provide access to specialized prescriptions that help regulate how your brain processes pain signals and can improve the quality of your restorative sleep. 
• Osteopathic Manual Therapy: Osteopathic treatment often offers long lasting improvement for fibromyalgia.  Dr. Merson uses gentle and effective techniques including myofascial release techniques to help with the symptoms and to restore health in the affected tissues.  
• Physical therapy: We work with you to find gentle, effective movements that maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness without overtaxing your body.
• Lifestyle treatments: Your plan may include dietary changes to ensure you have the proper nutrition to optimize your energy levels and alleviate pain. Dr. Merson also recommends specific adjustments to improve your sleep hygiene.
• Behavioral therapy: Stress management techniques and specialized therapy can help you develop healthy coping mechanisms for living with chronic pain.

You don't have to navigate the complexities of fibromyalgia alone. Contact the Palm Beach Pain Institute to discover how our specialized care can help you find the relief you deserve. Our clinical team is dedicated to creating a customized roadmap that addresses your specific symptoms, helping to clear the "brain fog" and reduce the widespread aches that keep you from your best self.  

When to seek medical care

Contact Dr. Merson if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Widespread chronic pain
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Sleep disturbances
• Stiffness

These issues don’t necessarily mean you have fibromyalgia, but they can be associated with it or other conditions, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Either way, it’s important to have your symptoms evaluated. The sooner we can identify the source of your discomfort, the sooner we can make recommendations to help you feel better.

To schedule your new patient appointment, call our office at 561-499-7020 or book your appointment online.