The "pain" in women's lives that deserves attention! What kind of pain are you experiencing?

In order to raise public awareness of pain diagnosis, treatment and prevention and management, the Chinese Medical Association has designated the third week of October each year as "China Pain Relief Week". The theme for 2024 is: Sex and Gender Disparities in Pain. Data show that although women live longer than men, they bear a greater burden of disease throughout their lives. At the same time, women experience more pain and are more sensitive to pain.

Hunan Want Want Hospital reminds you that due to physiological differences, men and women need more respect and understanding, and women’s pain needs attention throughout their life cycle.

Popular Science Knowledge:

1. What are the pain points of women at different stages?

1. Women of childbearing age

Dysmenorrhea: About 20% to 90% of women have experienced dysmenorrhea. This pain is not just a one-time or two-time pain, but a problem every month.

Perinatal pain: There is a great pain called childbirth, which makes women unforgettable! The pain of childbirth exceeds level 10. There will be labor pain before delivery, tearing pain during delivery, and uterine contraction pain after delivery. After the puerperium, while taking care of the child, muscle strain, neck, shoulder, waist and leg pain.

2. Female population aged ≥50 years

Herpes zoster neuralgia: The incidence of herpes zoster is (6.05 ~ 12.8)/1000 person-years, which is significantly higher than the incidence in men (4.30 ~ 8.5)/1000 person-years.

3. Menopause begins at the age of 45-55

Bone loss pain: Estrogen deficiency leads to a decrease in bone mass and changes in bone tissue structure, which increases bone brittleness, bone loss pain, osteoporosis, etc., making it easy to fracture, and the pain caused by fractures seriously affect physical health and quality of life.

2. What are the preventive measures for pain in women during different periods of their lives?

1. For women with dysmenorrhea, moxibustion or acupuncture of Chinese and Western medicine can be performed one week before menstruation, depending on different symptoms and physical conditions. This can alleviate or even prevent dysmenorrhea to a certain extent.

2. Postpartum perineal lacerations and edema can be repaired and healed through physical therapy such as ultraviolet rays, red light, and ultrashort waves. After the puerperium, muscle strain pain and new neck, shoulder, waist, and leg pain in most women can be improved through rehabilitation and physical therapy.

3. Patients with herpes zoster neuralgia can take preventive measures in advance by receiving recombinant herpes zoster vaccine, which can greatly reduce the incidence of HZ and thus reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.

4. Menopausal women can supplement vitamin D and calcium as early as possible, exercise appropriately and increase light exposure to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis.

Every woman deserves to be cherished! Family members should also pay attention. Most pain diseases can be cured, and all pain symptoms can be alleviated. When she says she is in pain, you must give her more care, understanding and respect!

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Xia Yuhong, Pain Department, Hunan Want Want Hospital

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(Edited by Wx)