Find out why women get arthritis more often than men and what you can do to prevent those aches and pains.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Hey doc, why does it seem that women get more arthritis than men?
Well, you’re right: although anyone can get arthritis, most joint pain sufferers are women. So what’s behind this gender gap? Well, no one knows for sure, but we do have some theories.
Part of the problem may stem from our biology. Women have less protective cartilage in our knees, so it wears away quicker than men’s. Plus, we tend to have broader hips, which may put added pressure on our knees.
It’s also possible that the loss of estrogen, the female hormone, after menopause contributes to joint damage and increases a woman’s risk for arthritis.
Another clue might lie in our DNA. Researchers have found genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis on the X chromosome. Women have two x chromosomes, but men only one.
Women not only get arthritis more often than men, we also experience more severe aches and pains from it, which may be because we have less muscle mass to support our joints than men do.
Although women are more likely to get arthritis, we aren’t destined to deal with achy joints. There are things we can do to prevent it.
One of the best ways is to lose weight. Carrying around excess pounds puts strain on the joints.
It’s also important to stay active, which can keep joints strong and flexible.
And if you smoke, quit. In addition to increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, smoking can make the condition more severe if you have it.
Women are more likely than men to be told that pain is all in their head and less likely to be treated for it. So if you experience arthritis pain, speak up. A number of therapies for pain relief are available, so there’s no need to suffer in silence.