Why are women more commonly affected by arthritis? One reason may be the physical differences between the sexes — for example, women have less knee cartilage than men. It’s no wonder that according to a recent report, knee replacement surgeries more than tripled in women between ages 45 and 64 over the past decade. Women are also at greater risk for the autoimmune condition rheumatoid arthritis than men, which experts think may be due to hormonal differences, among other factors. Finally, women may also experience a greater emotional burden from arthritis than men. A 2011 survey conducted by the supplement manufacturer Flexicin International found that 78 percent of women with arthritis feel that they receive very little support from family and friends, compared with 66 percent of men.
Fight Back Against Arthritis
So what can you do? The good news is that there are risk factors for osteoarthritis that women can target for arthritis prevention. Start with these important steps. Arthritis is all too common in women, but you can take some steps now to prevent arthritis later or slow its progression.
