Medically reviewed by
Dr. Thomas Key
McLeod Women’s Care – Clarendon

Opioid pain medications do a great job of controlling agony from an injury, surgical recovery or chronic conditions, such as arthritis.

“Unfortunately, like many things in the world today, those that do great good can also result in great bad,” says McLeod ON/GYN Dr. Thomas Key.  “That’s the case of opioid medications, especially for women.”

OPIOID ABUSE HIGHER IN WOMEN THAN MEN

Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death in the US.  Opioid abuse is higher among women than men. From 1999 to 2010, drug overdoses rose 400% among women, compared to 265% among men.  A key to the problem could be that women experience pain differently from their male counterparts.  According to the US Food and Drug Administration:

• Women report more pain than men.
• They are more likely to have chronic migraines than men.
• Women suffer three times more rheumatoid arthritis than men.
• Women tend to depend on prescription pain meds more quickly than males.

Keep an eye out for these signs of opioid  dependence:

• Taking the medication more frequently than prescribed. For example, every 3 hours instead of every 6 hours.
• You seek refills more frequently than expected.

If you notice these warning signs, talk to your OB/GYN about different medications that may help.  The alternative might include over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (Naproxen) or an anti-depressant, such as duloxetine.

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE

You can use a number of ways to protect yourself from opioid abuse or addiction, including:

• If you use opioids to control pain, ask your OB/GYN if there are alternatives you could use.
• Also, tell your physician if you have been addicted to alcohol, medications or drugs before.
• Do not take pain medications longer than your physician recommends.
• Do not take someone else’s pain medication.
• Get rid of pain medications that are not used, but look for an official disposal sight. Do not flush them down the toilet.

Find an OB/GYN near you.