What Causes Lower Back Pain in Females : Ask the Experts

Summary: What Causes Lower Back Pain in Females?

Lower back pain in women can be caused by hormonal changes (e.g., menstruation, pregnancy, menopause), musculoskeletal conditions like sacroiliac joint dysfunction, weak core muscles post-pregnancy, and medical issues such as endometriosis or arthritis. Overuse, sports-related injuries, and posture can also contribute. If pain persists longer than 6 weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult a healthcare provider.

What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain refers to the painful, tight, or soreness you may experience in the lower half of your back. Lower back pain can affect both males and females, although women may experience lower back pain as a symptom of hormonal changes like menstruation. 

Lower back pain can be caused by overuse or injury, poor posture, muscle strains, or underlying conditions like arthritis or sciatica. Symptoms can include tenderness and soreness, pain, spasms in the muscles, or stiffness and limited movement. 

Read on to learn what the experts have to say about the causes of lower back pain in females.

What Causes Lower Back Pain in Females: Expert Advice

So why do women experience lower back pain? We asked the experts to explain the causes of lower back pain in females and advise as to when you should seek medical advice.

Dr. Janis Guthy shared one of the biological causes of lower back pain in women: “First of all, a woman’s pelvis flares out wider than a male’s pelvis for childbirth. If a woman is carrying a baby or has some extra abdominal weight, this can put extra stress on the lower back and can cause lower back pain.”

Dr Liisa Raittinen agreed: “Common musculoskeletal conditions in females include sacroiliac joint dysfunction with associated piriformis syndrome, especially during and post-pregnancy. Pregnancy, endometriosis, and menses are unique to women's reproductive health, which can also contribute to low back pain."

Dr. Kara Laverdure also shared some possible causes of lower back pain in females: “Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can cause lower back pain, alongside weak core muscles like diastasis recti, which is common especially following pregnancy, or endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can also be a cause of low back pain.”

Is lower back pain always due to hormonal or reproductive reasons? Not necessarily, says Dr. Janis Guthy: “Other reasons for lower back pain may be due to injury or overuse. Sports like backbends in gymnastics can also make the lower back unstable, causing pain or discomfort. Arthritis and other medical conditions, such as degenerative disk disease, can also contribute to low back pain.”

As to when you should seek medical advice, she recommends, “If you have pain in the low back that lasts more than 6 weeks and are younger than 18 or older than 50 years or, have a history of trauma, you are recommended to see your healthcare provider.”

Key takeaways for What Causes Lower Back Pain in Females

If you’re wondering what the causes of lower back pain in females are, our three expert doctors shared the following:

1. Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. 
2. Carrying a baby or extra abdominal weight.
3. Injury or overuse from sports like gymnastics.
4. Arthritis or degenerative disk disease.