Fibromyalgia does occur in men, although very rarely: only 10-20% of cases of fibromyalgia are male patients. But recent studies have shown that it is indeed an underdiagnosed condition in general, and in men in particular. These studies report that 1 in 8 fibromyalgia patients is male. However, it is difficult conclude whether this number is truly an accurate reflection of the real number of male sufferers of fibromyalgia, because it is so often thought of as a woman's illness, many men suffering from fibromyalgia actually don't get diagnosed with the syndrome. As a result, a large number of male sufferers may go unreported. It is thought that the number of men suffering from fibromyalgia could in fact, be closer to 30%.
There is a wide array of symptoms of fibromyalgia, and they vary from person to person. Some sufferers are more affected by diffuse pain, while others report that persistent fatigue is the worst symptom. Symptoms in men tend to differ quite a bit when compared to the symptoms suffered by women. Most research demonstrates that men actually experience milder symptoms than women, and also experience less:
• tender points
• fatigue
• morning stiffness
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Male symptoms also seem to last for shorter periods of time and occur at a lower frequency (less often) than in female patients. However, a recent study claims that male symptoms may actually be more severe than those experienced by women. Under-reporting or erroneous reporting of symptoms may affect the general understanding of fibromyalgia symptoms in men.
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome is different in the male population, because in most instances male sufferers are reluctant to admit to severe pain, and so they may report milder symptoms. This can be misleading for the health care provider to accurately diagnose fibromyalgia. Some health care providers are also convinced that fibromyalgia largely affects women, refusing to diagnose men who display symptoms of the disorder, with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition and treatment focuses on controlling the symptoms. Focusing on staying positive and complying with the doctor’s orders will help the patient lead an almost normal life.
There is a wide array of symptoms of fibromyalgia, and they vary from person to person. Some sufferers are more affected by diffuse pain, while others report that persistent fatigue is the worst symptom. Symptoms in men tend to differ quite a bit when compared to the symptoms suffered by women. Most research demonstrates that men actually experience milder symptoms than women, and also experience less:
• tender points
• fatigue
• morning stiffness
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Male symptoms also seem to last for shorter periods of time and occur at a lower frequency (less often) than in female patients. However, a recent study claims that male symptoms may actually be more severe than those experienced by women. Under-reporting or erroneous reporting of symptoms may affect the general understanding of fibromyalgia symptoms in men.
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome is different in the male population, because in most instances male sufferers are reluctant to admit to severe pain, and so they may report milder symptoms. This can be misleading for the health care provider to accurately diagnose fibromyalgia. Some health care providers are also convinced that fibromyalgia largely affects women, refusing to diagnose men who display symptoms of the disorder, with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition and treatment focuses on controlling the symptoms. Focusing on staying positive and complying with the doctor’s orders will help the patient lead an almost normal life.
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