Sunday 12/October/2025 – 10:25 AM
Coinciding with World Arthritis Day, orthopedists revealed the reasons that make women more susceptible to arthritis compared to men, stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, following an active lifestyle, and a balanced diet to reduce the risk of infection.
World Arthritis Day
According to what was published by the Hindustan Times newspaper, the world celebrates World Arthritis Day on October 12 of each year, as arthritis is one of the most common health conditions in the world, as it affects millions of people and causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints that may hinder movement and affect the quality of daily life.
Studies show that women are three times more likely than men to develop certain types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), and Dr. Ashwani Maichand, Director of the Department of Orthopedics at CK Birla Hospital in India, explained that understanding the reasons behind this disparity can help women take early preventive steps that maintain joint flexibility and independence of movement as they age.
Among the most prominent factors that make women more susceptible to infection are hormonal factors, as estrogen plays a pivotal role in protecting joints and bones, and as its levels decrease after menopause, the possibility of inflammation and joint erosion increases, making women at this stage more susceptible to the disease.
Women’s strong immune response, while an advantage in fighting infection, may make their bodies more susceptible to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
How do hormonal changes affect?
She added that biological differences in the structure of the joints between the sexes play another role, as women usually have more flexible joints, which changes the mechanics of movement, especially when gaining weight. Pregnancy and childbirth also affect the hormonal and physical changes that lead to loosening of the ligaments and increased stress on the joints, and negligence in postpartum care may exacerbate these problems.
On the other hand, being overweight and lack of physical activity are major risk factors, while women are more susceptible to weight fluctuations due to pregnancy, hormonal cycles, and menopause, which increases the pressure on the joints and accelerates the erosion of cartilage. Lack of regular exercise or muscle-strengthening activities weakens the joints over time, which increases the chances of injury or worsening of symptoms.
To prevent arthritis, the doctor stressed the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes maintaining an appropriate weight, and practicing low-impact exercises such as swimming, yoga, or regular walking. She also advised eating foods rich in omega-3, which are anti-inflammatory, and protecting the joints from stress, in addition to performing periodic examinations that help in early detection and control of symptoms before they develop into more stages. Sharpness.
