
Point of difference
As a part of Women’s Health Week, we are recognizing the fact that some conditions affect women differently to men. Women are unique in both their physical and chemical make-up, resulting in different demands being placed on their bodies. Their experience of pain is different and there are certain factors that contribute to varying that experience. It is important to understand these differences to find the best solutions to women’s pain & health concerns.
Physical differences
Let us start with the obvious, the difference in the female body when compared to males.
A female pelvis is wider than that of a male. It houses the bowel and bladder as well as the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Pelvic pain refers to pain that is felt in the lower stomach, above the legs. Chronic pelvic pain is pain that is felt on most days for a period of six months or more. It is estimated that around one in five women in Australia will experience this sort of pain.
Another difference is the extra load of breast tissue. This in isolation may not be an issue but when you consider facts like that most women have been shown to be wearing ill-fitting bras you can see how this begins to contribute other painful syndromes like neck and upper back pain.
Chemical Differences
On a hormonal level, the female sex hormones activate the brain in different ways. For example, in the period prior to menstruation pain perception is higher. Emotional and memory driven areas of the brain are activated during this time which means women are more susceptible to pain.
These unique biomechanical and chemical factors mean that females frequently suffer from:
• Pelvic Pain
• Migraines
• Headaches
• Sore necks
• Low Back pain
• Jaw pain
• Mid-back pain
• Shoulder pain
Why are we talking about this?
This year Women’s Health Week is celebrating the power of women’s choice and voice. Empowering women to feel seen and heard. As health practitioners caring for women, it is vital to understand how their bodies differ and that their experience of pain is unique, to help women make the right choice for them.