Why Hypermobility Shows Up Differently in Women
Hypermobility means that your joints move more than what is considered normal. For some people, this might seem like a cool trick. You might be able to bend your fingers backward, touch the floor with straight legs, or sit in odd positions without pain. But for many, hypermobility is more than being flexible. It can lead to pain, injuries, and other health problems.
As a physical therapist, I often see how this condition affects women more than men. And it shows up in unique ways that aren’t always easy to spot.
What Is Hypermobility?
Your joints are the places where two bones meet. They are held together by tissues called ligaments. These ligaments help keep your joints stable and prevent them from moving too far.
If you have hypermobility, it means your ligaments are more stretchy than usual. That allows your joints to move beyond the normal range. This can happen in one joint or in many joints all over your body. Some people are born with it, and others may notice it after certain injuries or health changes.
In many cases, it is harmless. But sometimes, it causes pain, fatigue, or frequent injuries. When this happens, it may be part of a condition called hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) or a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).
Why Does Hypermobility Happen?
There are a few reasons why someone might be hypermobile. Most of the time, it’s related to the structure of your connective tissue. Connective tissue includes ligaments, tendons, and skin. If this tissue is softer or more elastic, it allows for more joint movement.
Genes play a big role in this. If your parents were flexible, there’s a good chance you might be too. Some types of hypermobility are passed down through families.
Hormones can also affect joint flexibility. Estrogen, a hormone that is higher in women, can make connective tissue softer. That’s one reason why women tend to be more flexible than men. This hormone can also change during your monthly cycle, pregnancy, or menopause, which can affect your symptoms.
How Hypermobility Shows Up in Women
Women experience hypermobility differently than men, both in how it shows up and how it feels.
Women are more likely to be hypermobile than men. This is partly due to the effects of estrogen on connective tissue. Girls are often more flexible growing up and may stay that way into adulthood.
Women with this condition often report more pain and tiredness than men. This might include joint pain, back pain, or pain that moves around the body. Fatigue can also be a big part of the picture. Some women say they feel tired all the time, even after a good night’s sleep. This may be because their muscles have to work harder to keep their joints stable.
Because the joints move too much, they can get injured more easily. Women with hypermobility might sprain their ankles often, dislocate a joint, or feel like their joints are slipping or unstable. These injuries can happen during exercise, daily tasks, or even while sleeping.
Women will often have trouble with posture. Their joints may not stay in place the way they should. This can lead to slouching, standing with locked knees, or feeling off balance. Over time, poor posture can lead to pain in the back, neck, or shoulders.
Many women with hypermobility also report problems with digestion, such as bloating, constipation, or irritable bowel symptoms. Some also have bladder issues like urgency or leaking. This is because connective tissue supports the organs too, not just the joints.
Some women notice that their skin feels softer or stretches more than usual. They may bruise easily or have scars that look thin or wide. This is another sign that the connective tissue may be more elastic or fragile than normal.
Women may also have stronger period cramps or more pelvic pain. The soft tissue in the pelvis can be affected by hypermobility, leading to discomfort. Some women also experience pain with sex or pelvic instability.
This condition is sometimes linked with anxiety, dizziness, and feeling faint. This may be because of how the nervous system works in people with stretchy connective tissue. The part of the body that controls things like heart rate and blood pressure can sometimes act differently in people with hypermobility.
What This Means for You
If you are a woman and you notice that you are more flexible than most people, or if you have many of the symptoms listed above, you might have hypermobility. It doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, but it may explain why your body feels the way it does.
Many women are told their symptoms are in their head, or they are given different diagnoses over the years. This can be frustrating and confusing. Understanding this condition can help you make sense of your experience and get the support you need.
Each woman with this condition is different. Some may have only mild symptoms. Others may have more complex challenges that affect daily life. What’s important is knowing that your symptoms are real, and there are ways to better understand your body.
Protecting Yourself Through Hormonal Changes
It is important to know that your symptoms may change with your hormones. Estrogen affects your connective tissue, and your hormone levels shift during different phases of life. This can make hypermobility symptoms better or worse at different times. Knowing how your body responds can help you protect yourself.
Many women notice changes in their symptoms during their menstrual cycle. For some, joint pain or instability gets worse right before their period. This is when estrogen and other hormones are dropping. You might feel more tired, more sore, or like your joints don’t feel as steady. If this sounds like you, it can help to track your symptoms across the month. A simple journal or app can show you patterns.
During pregnancy, hormone levels rise, especially estrogen and relaxin. These hormones help your body get ready for childbirth, but they also make your joints more flexible. This is normal, but if you already have hypermobility, it can feel like your body is falling apart. Some women feel more pain, have more trouble with balance, or feel like their pelvis is too loose. Paying attention to how your body responds can help you prepare for these changes and get support if needed.
Menopause brings another big shift. Estrogen levels drop, and many women notice new or changing symptoms. Some say their joints feel stiffer, while others still struggle with instability. Pain and fatigue might stay the same or even increase. The emotional side of hormone changes can also affect how you feel. Anxiety, low mood, or brain fog can make managing hypermobility even harder. It’s important to understand that these changes are real, and they are not all in your head.
As your hormones change, so does your connective tissue. Learning what your body needs at different stages of life helps you stay safer and more comfortable. Being aware of these shifts also helps you plan ahead. For example, if you know your joints feel worse at a certain time of the month, you can be gentler with your body during that time. You might avoid high-impact activity, get extra rest, or focus on posture and body awareness.
Listening to your body is one of the best ways to protect yourself. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Small aches, slips, or changes in balance might be signs that your body needs a little more care. Wearing supportive shoes, taking breaks during long activities, and keeping a regular routine can make a big difference.
It can also help to talk to healthcare providers who understand hypermobility. Not everyone does. If a provider brushes off your symptoms or makes you feel like you’re imagining things, keep looking. You deserve to be heard and taken seriously.
Surround yourself with support. Talk to others who live with hypermobility. Learn from their stories. Share your own. Community can be a powerful tool for managing long-term challenges.
No matter your age or stage of life, your body deserves care and attention. Hormonal changes are a natural part of being a woman, but they can make hypermobility harder to manage. With knowledge and support, you can protect your body and feel more in control.
This condition is more than just being bendy. For many women, it affects how they feel every day. It can cause pain, fatigue, injuries, and other symptoms that are hard to explain. Because it looks different in women than in men, it’s often missed or misunderstood.
Learning about it is the first step in understanding your body better. If this sounds like you, you are not alone. And you deserve care that sees the full picture of what you’re going through.
At Move Empower Mobile Concierge Physical Therapy, we take the time to listen and look deeper. Our goal is to help you understand your body, feel more in control, and find the right path forward. If you think hypermobility might be part of your story, we’re here to help you explore it further. Schedule a FREE discovery session with our team so we can evaluate your needs and craft a custom PT plan for you.