Gout in Women: Does It Occur, Causes and First Signs

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis in which uric acid crystals form in a joint. It does occur in women, although less often than in men. Let us look at the mechanism, the causes and how the first signs manifest.

Does gout occur in women

Yes, female gout is a reality, it is simply less common. Gout develops when too much uric acid accumulates in the blood (hyperuricemia); in some people, needle-shaped crystals form from it in the joints. Most often an attack affects one joint — the big toe, but it can also occur in other toes, the ankle, knee, hands, elbows. An attack often begins at night and lasts from one to two weeks if left untreated.

Why women get it less often than men

Imagine that uric acid is water in a bathtub: it accumulates if too much is produced or if the kidneys excrete it poorly. Gout is more common in men, especially with age, and in women menopause is among the factors that increase the likelihood of gout. Usually the disease develops in middle age.

What causes gout in women

The cause is an excess of uric acid, a breakdown product of purines from tissues and food. The body may produce too much of it or not excrete enough through the kidneys. The likelihood of gout is increased by excess weight, alcohol, a diet with red meat, organ meats and certain seafood, drinks and foods with fructose, and dehydration. Among the conditions are heart failure, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis, certain types of cancer, and rare genetic features. Medications also play a role: diuretics, low-dose aspirin, certain immunosuppressants, high doses of niacin. There can also be a family predisposition. An attack can be triggered by an illness with high fever, a heavy meal, alcohol, dehydration, joint injury, or taking certain medications.

First signs of gout in women

The classic picture is sudden severe pain in one joint, often at night, severe enough to wake the person. The joint swells, and the skin over it is hot and red (on dark skin, redness is harder to notice). Between attacks there are usually no symptoms; without treatment, attacks become more frequent and longer.

• Sudden intense pain in one joint
• Swelling and a feeling of heat in the joint
• Redness of the skin over the joint
• Onset of the attack at night
• Subsiding of symptoms within one to two weeks

How it is diagnosed: uric acid and other tests

The doctor asks about symptoms and diet, examines the joint, and may order a blood test for uric acid. If the picture is unclear, the patient is referred to a rheumatologist: a sample of fluid is taken from the joint with a thin needle and examined under a microscope for crystals, and ultrasound or a special CT scan is performed. Similar symptoms can occur in pseudogout, caused by calcium pyrophosphate crystals rather than uric acid.

Complications and when to see a doctor

Without treatment, repeated attacks lead to joint damage, tophi — hard deposits under the skin on the ears, fingers, elbows — and kidney stones; chronic arthritis is rare. If gout symptoms appear for the first time or the usual treatment does not help, a doctor is needed.

Gout by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if sudden joint pain and swelling are accompanied by worsening pain, very high fever or chills, nausea or inability to eat: this may be an infection inside the joint.

This material is for reference: it explains the mechanism but does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer