The 5 Most Common Causes of Hip Pain in Women
Hip pain in women can result from wear and tear, overuse, and a few other causes. Here are the most common culprits.
Do you have hip pain? As with other types of chronic pain, women tend to experience it more than men. But because hip pain can have several different causes, determining the right one is essential to getting the best treatment.
The diagnosis: Is it your hip?
When you tell your doctor that you have hip pain, the first thing they should do is confirm that it is indeed your hip that is the problem. Women may say they have hip pain, but this may mean they have pain in the side of their thigh or buttock, or they have lower back pain. Hip pain is often felt in the groin or on the outside of the hip, directly above where the hip joint is located (a ball and socket joint).
The 5 main causes of hip pain in women
Some of the most common causes of hip pain in women include:
1. Arthritis
Chronic hip pain in women is often due to arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, the type of wear and tear that affects many people as they age. The joint begins to wear out. Arthritic pain is often felt in the front of the thigh or in the groin, due to stiffness or swelling in the joint.
2. Hip fractures
Hip fractures are common among older women, especially those who have osteoporosis (decreased bone density). Symptoms of a hip fracture include pain when you straighten, lift, or stand on your leg. Additionally, the toes on the injured side appear to turn in, a sign that can help your doctor make a preliminary diagnosis.
3. Tendinitis and bursitis
Many tendons around the hip connect the muscles to the joint. These tendons can easily become inflamed if you use them excessively or participate in strenuous activities. One of the most common causes of tendonitis in the hip joint, especially in runners, is iliotibial band syndrome: The iliotibial band is the thick band of tissue that extends from the edge outside of your pelvis to the outside of your knee.
Another common cause of hip pain in women is bursitis. Fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, cushion the bony part of the hip that lies close to the surface. Like tendons, these sacs can become inflamed from irritation or overuse and cause pain every time you move the hip joint.
4. Hernia in the hand area
Femoral and inguinal hernias, sometimes called sports hernias, can cause anterior (frontal) hip pain in women. Pregnant women may be susceptible to inguinal hernias due to the extra pressure placed on the wall of their abdomen.
5. Gynecological and back issues
Hip pain in women can have gynecological causes. It is important not to assume that pain is caused by arthritis, bursitis or tendinitis. Depending on your age and other health conditions, hip pain may be coming from another system.
Endometriosis (when tissue similar to that lining the uterus grows outside the uterus) can cause pelvic tenderness, which some women describe as hip pain. Back and spinal pain can also be felt in the buttocks and hips.
Sciatica, a pinched nerve, usually affects one side of the body and can cause pain in the back of the right or left hip. Sciatica pain can start in the lower back and move down to the buttocks and legs.