Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Females: Should You Be Concerned?

There are several reasons why you might be experiencing aches and pains, and fibromyalgia is one of them. What’s more, many medical conditions tend to present differently in women than they do in men.

If you are struggling to pinpoint the source of your body pain, this blog is for you.

Let’s take a closer look at fibromyalgia symptoms in females to help you get the right diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Females

In general, fibromyalgia presents as widespread pain, but the pain can also be worse in the muscles you use the most such as your wrists or the backs of your legs.

Fibromyalgia isn’t a sharp pain either. Instead, it’s a deep muscle ache or throbbing. Pain also tends to be worse in the morning.

Along with general pain, both men and women experience fatigue and can have trouble sleeping. Tingling in specific muscles is also common.

There are a few additional symptoms that are linked to fibromyalgia, but they only occur in females.

Here is what you may also experience if you have this condition:

• Menstruation might be more painful if you have fibromyalgia. You may also find yourself feeling crankier.
• Fibromyalgia can cause tender points on the body. Instead of just general throbbing, certain points such as the back of the head and the top of the chest will be tender to the touch.
• Another symptom that females tend to experience is bladder and/or bowel problems. Feeling an urge to urinate, cramps, and painful intercourse can all be linked to this condition.
• Feelings of depression tend to be heightened in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Do Certain Women Have a Higher Risk of Developing Fibromyalgia?

There are a few factors that could increase your risk of developing painful fibromyalgia symptoms as a female, including:

• Smoking
• Having relatives with the same condition
• Obesity
• Other conditions related to the joints, including arthritis and lupus
• A brain or spinal cord injury
• High levels of stress for prolonged periods of time

How to Diagnose Fibromyalgia

Unfortunately, there is no fibromyalgia test. Instead, a doctor will need to make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, the duration of the symptoms, and your medical history.

Because the symptoms associated with this condition are quite broad, many patients are not diagnosed correctly the first time around.

This is why it’s best to see a doctor that is aware of your medical history or to go into an appointment with as much history as possible.

Fibromyalgia Treatments

Some of the ways that fibromyalgia is treated, include:

• Your doctor will be able to provide you with pain relief for when the condition flares up. You can also turn to supplements such as Fibrocare from Vita Sciences.
• If you have been under a lot of stress or you’ve experienced a trauma, you may want to consider counselling. Joining a fibromyalgia support group can also help you feel less alone and depressed.
• Improve your bedtime routine. Getting enough quality sleep is another step you can take to reduce fibromyalgia pain. Small changes such as going to bed at the same time, not drinking caffeine too close to bedtime, and avoiding daytime naps can all help. Here are some additional sleep tips that will help.
• Schedule a massage. Not only is a massage or physical therapy good for your mind, but it can help ease pain in your muscles too.
• Reduce stress. Since stress is a major trigger of this condition, it could help to adopt a few stress-relief tactics, including yoga, meditation, or a warm bath with essential oils after a long day.
• Get enough exercise. Lastly, even if you’re in pain, moving your body can provide some relief. Even if it’s just walking your pet around the block.

Once you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome, it is there to stay. The good news is that it is manageable – you just need the right diagnosis first.