Gout Affects Men Four Times As Often As Women: Here's Why

When you hear "gout," you might picture a medieval king nursing a swollen foot. But gout is very much a modern problem, and men are about four times more likely to develop it than women. For National Men’s Health Month in June, we’re focusing on the issue of gout and how you can better manage it. 

Our rheumatology team at Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas, provides advanced, personalized care for gout and other types of arthritis. Our goal is to help you live the healthiest life possible. Regarding gout, the priority is to manage your symptoms and help prevent future attacks and joint damage.

We’re always interested in providing reliable health information about gout, including why it affects men much more frequently than women, and treatments that help manage this painful inflammatory arthritis.      

What exactly is gout?

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a waste product in your blood, usually filtered out through your kidneys and excreted in urine.

When your body produces too much uric acid, or your kidneys don’t get rid of enough, it can form sharp, needle-like crystals that lodge in joints. The big toe is most frequently affected, but ankles and knees are also vulnerable to gout.

The result? Sudden, severe pain, redness, swelling, and heat in the affected joint, often striking at night and without warning.

Why men are more prone to gout

Several reasons explain why men experience gout much more frequently:

Higher uric acid levels

Men have higher uric acid levels than women throughout their lives, partly due to hormonal differences.

Protective effect of estrogen

Women benefit from estrogen’s ability to help the body excrete uric acid more efficiently. This hormonal protection continues until menopause.

After menopause, women’s risk of gout rises significantly, though it still generally remains lower than that of men.

Lifestyle factors

Notably, lifestyle factors can increase risk factors for both women and men. For instance, foods and drinks that raise uric acid levels (i.e., red meat, beer, and sugary beverages) contribute to uric acid imbalances.

Symptoms to watch for

Gout typically presents with:

• Sudden, intense joint pain, often starting in the big toe
• Lingering discomfort even after the severe pain subsides
• Inflammation and redness
• Limited range of motion of the affected joint

If you recognize these signs, especially if they come on suddenly and at night, it's a good idea to schedule a visit with one of our specialists.

Like any inflammatory arthritis (i.e., rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis), untreated gout can lead to irreversible joint damage.

Treating gout

The good news? Gout is highly treatable, especially with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.

Medications may include:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce pain and swelling
• Colchicine, a type of pain reliever specifically effective against gout
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Allopurinol or febuxostat to minimize the amount of uric acid in your body

Lifestyle changes are key to preventing future gout attacks:

Healthy nutrition

Limiting red meats, seafood, and high-fructose drinks can help prevent uric acid buildup. Instead, design meals and snacks that include vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Unless your specialist advises, this doesn’t mean you can’t ever eat seafood, pork, lamb, beef, etc. Instead, we recommend you manage portion sizes and consider a low-purine diet (your body breaks purine down into uric acid).  

However, if you have gout, always avoid high-purine organ or glandular meats like sweetbreads, liver, or kidney.

Stay hydrated

Adequate water intake helps your kidneys flush out uric acid.

Limit alcohol consumption

We recommend stopping alcohol during a gout attack and limiting consumption otherwise, since alcohol tends to raise uric acid levels, especially beer and spirits.

Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight is a significant risk factor for gout.

Struggling with painful joints?

Understanding the causes and managing gout and other types of arthritis can prevent painful flare-ups and protect your joints over the long term. If you think you may be dealing with arthritis, don’t ignore it; early treatment can make a world of difference.

Let us help you live the healthiest life possible. Call Allergy A.R.T.S. today to schedule an appointment.