Overview
Fibromyalgia is an often-misunderstood form of rheumatoid disease.
It’s usually classified alongside other forms of rheumatic disorders, such as arthritis and lupus. However, the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown.
To add to the confusion, fibromyalgia predominantly affects women. According to the
While anyone can get fibromyalgia, hormones are thought to be a possible explanation for this gender bias. Learn more about how this painful syndrome affects women, and what can be done about it.
The CDC estimates that about 4 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia. It can technically develop in anyone at any age, but fibromyalgia typically develops in middle-aged adults.
Since the disorder primarily occurs in women, being female is a risk factor.
Other risk factors that increase your chances of developing fibromyalgia include:
- a personal or family history of fibromyalgia or other rheumatoid disease
- recurring injuries in the same part of the body
- anxiety or long-term stress
- neurological disorders
- going through a major physical event, such as a car accident
- a history of serious infections
Having a history of any of the above factors doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop fibromyalgia. You should still be aware of these risks and discuss them with your doctor if you’re concerned. Find out more about fibromyalgia causes and risk factors.
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia tend to affect both men and women equally. But not all people with the disorder experience pain in the same spots. These points of pressure can even change day to day.
Fibromyalgia often feels like extreme muscle pain, usually accompanied by fatigue. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- headaches, either tension-type or migraines
- back aches
- pain and numbness in the limbs
- stiffness in the morning
- sensitivity to light, temperature changes, and noises
- facial or jaw pain and tenderness
- forgetfulness, which is sometimes called “fibro fog”
- sleeping difficulties
There’s no conclusive link between specific hormones and fibromyalgia, but researchers have noted some possible strong connections.
A 2015
Other researchers point to another explanation for the prevalence of fibromyalgia in women.
A 2010 Danish
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose because the signs aren’t visible on an X-ray, blood test, or other exam. Women who experience painful menstrual cycles might also pass it off as a normal hormonal issue.
According to the Mayo Clinic, most people experience widespread pain for three months or longer before being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A rheumatologist will also rule out any other possible causes of pain before diagnosing you.
If you’re diagnosed with fibromyalgia, your treatment options may include:
- prescription pain relievers
- antidepressants to control hormones
- prescription muscle relaxers
- oral contraceptives to ease primary dysmenorrhea and PMS
- physical therapy
- exercise
- acupuncture or chiropractic treatments
- psychotherapy
- sleep therapy
- neuromodulator medications
It’s important to note that there’s no cure for fibromyalgia. The goal of treatment is to alleviate pain and improve your quality of life. Discover seven natural remedies that may also help with fibromyalgia pain.
Fibromyalgia is considered a chronic condition that can last a lifetime. This is true in both men and women.
The good news is that it isn’t considered a progressive disease — it doesn’t cause any direct damage to the body. This is different from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can damage joints. Also, fibromyalgia isn’t fatal.
However, this doesn’t necessarily ease the pain that millions of women with fibromyalgia experience. The key is to keep up with your treatment plan, and to see your rheumatologist if it’s not working.
The more researchers learn about the disorder and its effects on adults with the condition, the more hope there is for preventive treatments in the future.