Sudden Severe Lower Back Pain in Females

Sudden severe lower back pain as a woman can be concerning, to say the least. You may be worried that the pain is a sign of a serious underlying health condition, or may require emergency medical care. 

Understanding the possible causes of lower back pain in females can help assuage these concerns and help you get the care you need. Read on to learn more!

Table of contents

What Can Cause Lower Back Pain in Women?

Lower back pain in women can be caused by premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysmorphic disorder, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), endometriosis, and spinal conditions. 

  • Premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (more commonly referred to as PMS) is a common cause of lower back pain in women. Uterine contractions are thought to trigger this PMS symptom, as these muscular contractions can radiate from the uterus to the lower back. Increased inflammation may also contribute to back pain from PMS. 

  • Premenstrual dysmorphic disorder

Also known as PMDD, premenstrual dysmorphic disorder is a severe type of PMS. For many women with PMDD, the effects of this condition disrupt their day-to-day life. These symptoms tend to be similar to PMS symptoms, including lower back pain, but more debilitating. A family history of PMDD, depression, anxiety, and mood disorder can increase your risk of PMDD. 

  • Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful menstruation. While many women experience pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea involves pain that’s severe enough to disrupt their normal activities. With this condition, women tend to feel severe uterine cramps that may radiate into the lower back. 

  • Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells develop outside the uterus. This condition impacts an estimated 10% of women in the world, and it involves a variety of symptoms, including pelvic and back pain. Endometriosis tends to trigger chronic lower back pain if the endometrial tissue develops in or close to the back. 

Although there’s currently no cure for endometriosis, it can be managed with NSAIDs, analgesics, and/or hormonal therapy. Surgery may be required in some cases if conservative treatments don’t resolve endometriosis symptoms. 

  • Spinal conditions

Spinal conditions are a possible cause of persistent lower back pain in women. Aside from back strains and sprains, which affect the soft tissues of the back, spinal conditions that may trigger lower back pain include:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Herniated disc
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Vertebral fractures
  • Spinal tumors 
  • Osteoarthritis 
  • Sciatica

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What Can Cause Extreme Back Pain in Women Out of Nowhere?

Extreme back pain in women out of nowhere can be caused by:

  • Acute injury, such as a back muscle tear
  • Muscle spasm
  • Compression spinal fracture
  • Ruptured disc
  • Endometriosis
  • Labor

Extreme Back Pain from Muscle Spasms

Back muscle spasms are a prevalent health concern that range in severity. While some spasms are mild and go away quickly, others can lead to extreme back pain. 

Spasms are more likely to affect athletes (namely weightlifters) and individuals with other forms of back pain. This is because spasms most often result from overusing the back muscles. This type of spasm can usually be treated successfully with heat/ice therapy, rest, and/or over-the-counter pain medications.

However, back spasms are a possible symptom of serious medical conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis or gallstones. So, if you experience an extreme back spasm, contact your medical provider for an evaluation. 

Extreme Back Pain from Endometriosis

Some women with endometriosis develop cysts on the ovaries. These cysts can rupture and trigger sudden, severe lower back or abdominal pain. Sometimes, ruptured cysts require emergency medical care and even surgery. So, if you experience sudden, severe lower back pain and have endometriosis, seek immediate medical care. 

Lower Back Pain in Labor

When a woman is in labor, she may experience sudden lower back pain. This is thought to be the result of the fetus’s head pushing against the tailbone and spine. Your medical provider will recommend positions to alleviate back pain during labor. 

Why Did My Lower Back Start Hurting All of a Sudden?

Your lower back may start hurting all of a sudden from a fall, lifting a heavy object, a spinal condition, or endometriosis. 

Sudden Lower Back Pain from Falls or Lifting Heavy Objects

The most common cause of sudden lower back pain is an acute injury from falling or lifting a heavy object. Taking a hard fall can cause a herniated or ruptured disc, vertebral fracture, or back strain. Lifting a heavy object, particularly with poor posture, can cause back muscle strains, tears, or spasms. These injuries affect the soft tissues of the back and are usually resolved with conservative treatments. 

Sudden Lower Back Pain from Spinal Conditions

While some spinal conditions develop slowly with gradual symptoms, they can trigger sudden lower back pain in certain cases. One spinal condition that may cause sudden lower back pain is osteoarthritis, which can trigger compression fractures in the spine. Compression fractures are small fractures in the vertebrae caused by weakened bones.

If you experience a compression fracture, you may experience sudden lower back pain or back pain that gradually worsens, along with reduced spinal movement, a stooped posture, and symptoms of nerve damage. 

When Should I Go to the ER for Sudden Back Pain?

You should go to the ER for sudden back pain if you experience:

  • Fever
  • Bladder or bowel incontinence (inability to control bladder or bowel function)
  • Difficulty walking or standing
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden numbness and/or weakness in the pelvic area or leg(s)
  • Radiating pain from the lower back to the abdomen

Is It Better to Rest or Move With Lower Back Pain as a Woman? 

It’s usually better to move with lower back pain as a woman.

Physicians recommend low-impact exercise for many cases of lower back pain in women. Lower back pain from PMS, for example, greatly benefits from gentle movement, like yoga or walking. 

However, if you experience lower back pain from an acute injury as a woman, you may need to rest to prevent further damage. If you’re unsure or your pain doesn’t go away within two weeks, contact a spinal specialist in your area.