One of the most compelling reasons that gout in women is more than just a pain problem came from a woman named Wendy, one of the subjects of a 2015 study by Keele University and the University of Oxford.
When asked if she thought it made a difference being a woman with gout, Wendy answered yes. She said it’s because she couldn’t wear the shoes she likes.
"There were some really classy shoes there and I thought, that’s me (saying) goodbye forever," shared Wendy.
She added that though she is a middle-aged woman in body, in her mind, she’s “a young girl with young girl’s feelings,” wanting to wear classy, heeled shoes during wedding parties and walk outside without shuffling.
This honest opinion is a sign that the effects of gout on women may be deeper and more personal than we think. This article discusses how women are dealing with gout, the role of hormones in the condition, and how natural supplements help support uric acid management, like tart cherry.
Impact of Gout on Women
Women with gout can suddenly find themselves unable to do the things they enjoy. In addition to the painful effects of the disease, they suffer from feelings of dissatisfaction and low self-esteem.
One of the Keele University and University of Oxford research participants named Georgina shared how gout took away the self-satisfaction she often gets from doing things herself.
"I’ve always been the type of person that I - I won’t ask anyone to do something because I’d rather do it myself," she said. She shared how frustrating it was to ask people to do things for her.
Researchers also found that gout had changed the women’s view of their identity, thinking themselves “mannish” for having the condition and having less desire to engage in activities and fashion perceived to be feminine.
“The actual term ‘gout’ was problematic for some women in our study, because of its impact on their identity. Some participants reported telling people they had arthritis rather than gout,” researchers said.
In the end, most participants did not have a good understanding of gout. Misinformation associated with the disease — such as the belief that it only happens to men — worsens this lack of awareness and knowledge.
Clearly, this form of arthritis once called “the disease of kings” is more common than we realized. And women are not spared.
Herbert Baraf, M.D. of George Washington University Medical Center told the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) that incidences of gout in men and women tend to level each other out after the age of 60. This means that at this point, regardless of gender, both men and women are at equal risk of experiencing gout.
It’s easy to become disheartened when faced with these kinds of statistics. However, it is important for women to realize that there is still hope.
Hope and Relief
While it can be difficult for women to live with gout, it doesn’t mean there’s no life beyond the pain caused by the disease.
In a story published by The Morning Journal, Lex Leonard shared her incredible experience living with chronic gout for over 40 years. She lived through intense pain and struggled with walking for decades since she was diagnosed in her 20s.
Now Leonard has found relief after undergoing treatment for her gout. She finally found joy in being more involved with her grandchildren. According to her, she finally realized that there is a lot more about life than she knew.
Leonard expressed her support for those who are suffering from gout. She says that there are groups out there that can help and doctors that are always willing to listen.
Like Leonard, those who have been suffering from gout can still live the life they once thought was stolen by the disease. There are many natural ways for women to reduce and mitigate the effects of gout.
How Women Can Deal with Gout
Natural supplements are proven helpful in lowering uric acid levels for women with gout. Tart cherry, in particular, has caught the attention of healthcare practitioners. Research on the fruit, published in the online resource Verywell Health, found that tart cherry juice can lower uric acid levels and inflammatory markers in people with gout. ‡
Cherry intake has also been associated with a reduced risk of gout flare-ups. Apart from tart cherries, natural food items like ginger, celery seeds, apple cider vinegar, lemon, and turmeric may help balance your uric acid levels.
GO-OUT makes it easy to consume these uric acid-lowering foods with our natural supplements. Our non-GMO and gluten-free products contain herbs and enzymes for routine gout support. We even designed a convenient pill-pack that makes it easier to keep your pills handy while you are on the go and it is a gift with every purchase.
You’re Not Alone
Women deal with gout differently due to the stigma caused by the belief that the disease only affects men. You need to realize that gout isn’t just a man’s problem. If you’re suffering from the condition now, you are not alone, and there’s life beyond the painful symptoms you have.
Experiencing gout doesn’t make you less of a woman, and with our GO-OUT Daily Maintenance, you can continue to enjoy life the way you used to.
When you need support for your gout problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at GO-OUT. In over 40 years of working with gout sufferers, we have a wealth of experience to share. We understand that it can be frustrating to be a woman with gout. That’s why we are dedicated to helping you live a vibrant life, free from discomfort, embarrassment, and low self-esteem.
Contact GO-OUT today and live the life you want.