Why Foot Pain Hits Women Harder: Hormones, Footwear, and Lifestyle Factors

By Dr. Jesse Ropat – Doctor of Pharmacy & Foot Health Specialist

Foot pain does not affect everyone equally. Women report foot pain more often than men, and it is not just because of high heels. Biology, hormones, and daily habits all play a role in making women more vulnerable to problems with their feet.

Let’s explore why women experience foot pain more frequently and what can be done to prevent it.

Hormonal Shifts and Foot Health

Pregnancy and Relaxin

During pregnancy, the body produces a hormone called relaxin. Its job is to loosen ligaments to prepare for childbirth. But relaxin affects more than just the pelvis. It also impacts the feet, making them more flexible.

This flexibility can cause arches to flatten, leading to pain in the heels, knees, and lower back. For some women, these changes are permanent, leaving their feet larger or flatter after pregnancy.

Menopause and Estrogen Decline

Later in life, falling estrogen levels contribute to changes in bones and joints. Estrogen helps maintain bone density and joint cushioning. With less of it, women may develop arthritis in the feet, making walking and standing more painful.

The Footwear Factor

Shoes play a big part in women’s foot pain. Many styles are designed for appearance over comfort, and years of wearing them can create lasting problems.

• High heels push weight onto the ball of the foot, leading to bunions, hammertoes, and metatarsalgia.
  

• Narrow or pointed shoes squeeze the toes, causing deformities and nerve pain.
  

• Flat shoes without support leave the arch and heel unprotected, increasing the risk of plantar fasciitis.
  

These styles are common in office dress codes, social events, and even casual wear, which means women spend more of their lives in footwear that does not properly support their bodies.

Lifestyle Demands

Many women juggle work, caregiving, and household responsibilities, which often means long hours on their feet. Teachers, nurses, retail workers, and servers, roles with heavy female representation, all demand constant standing or walking.

Spending hours on hard floors without proper footwear leads to fatigue, swelling, and long-term damage. Even at home, walking barefoot on tile or hardwood adds more stress to already tired feet.

Why It Matters

Foot pain does not just stay in the feet. When your foundation is unstable, it affects the whole body. Knee pain, hip strain, and back discomfort often trace back to untreated foot issues. For women, the combination of hormones, footwear, and lifestyle creates a perfect storm.

What Can Help

While biology and hormones cannot be controlled, footwear choices and daily habits can make a big difference.

• Choose supportive shoes with wide toe boxes, cushioned midsoles, and contoured insoles.
  

• Use compression socks to improve circulation and reduce swelling during long days.
  

• Rotate shoes regularly to avoid wearing down cushioning too quickly.
  

• Stretch feet and calves daily to maintain flexibility.
  

• Inspect feet often, especially if pregnant, postpartum, or post-menopause.
  

ComfortWear offers shoes designed with these principles in mind. Wide toe boxes, breathable materials, and cushioned soles support women through long days at work or home. While no shoe can change hormones, the right footwear can protect against pain and keep women active and mobile.

Final Thoughts

Women face unique challenges when it comes to foot pain. From pregnancy hormones to style-driven footwear, many factors stack up against long-term foot health. The good news is that supportive choices in footwear and daily habits can reduce pain and prevent long-term issues.

Your feet carry you through every role you play. Taking care of them is not about vanity or luxury. It is about maintaining strength, balance, and the freedom to move without pain.