MSUGuy02
06-20-2004, 09:16 PM
Hi Everyone!
Ever since I found out I had TMJ, I always read that TMJ is more common in women than men. I find this really intriguing and thought I'd open up a discussion to see what everyone thought. :)
I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks!
Take Care,
Andy
Ever since I found out I had TMJ, I always read that TMJ is more common in women than men. I find this really intriguing and thought I'd open up a discussion to see what everyone thought. :)
I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks!
Take Care,
Andy
Sponsor
Mosmom
06-21-2004, 12:59 PM
Interesting thought...
The problem is that TMJD covers so many different afflictions from so many different causes (thus the reason there is no standard treatment). You can have TMJD caused by genetic maloclussion (sp?), TMJD caused by bone loss and arthritis, TMJD caused by disc displacement, TMJD caused by muscular problems...and the list goes on.
With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised to find that some TMJD is more prevalent in women....those problems caused by anxiety-driven bruxism and muscular tension. Speaking as a woman (and a friend to many other women), I know we tend to carry our tension in certain localized spots - mine is my lower back - so why not in the jaw muscles.
At a certain age when the balance of a woman's hormones get completely out of whack - there can be a marked increase in anxiety, tension, insomnia...you only have to visit the Menopause Board to know that is true. So yes, MSUguy...I think it is possible that some TMJ problems could be more prevalent in women.
The problem is that TMJD covers so many different afflictions from so many different causes (thus the reason there is no standard treatment). You can have TMJD caused by genetic maloclussion (sp?), TMJD caused by bone loss and arthritis, TMJD caused by disc displacement, TMJD caused by muscular problems...and the list goes on.
With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised to find that some TMJD is more prevalent in women....those problems caused by anxiety-driven bruxism and muscular tension. Speaking as a woman (and a friend to many other women), I know we tend to carry our tension in certain localized spots - mine is my lower back - so why not in the jaw muscles.
At a certain age when the balance of a woman's hormones get completely out of whack - there can be a marked increase in anxiety, tension, insomnia...you only have to visit the Menopause Board to know that is true. So yes, MSUguy...I think it is possible that some TMJ problems could be more prevalent in women.
feelines
06-21-2004, 06:35 PM
I first learned about TMJD about 20 years ago when I was having terrible headaches and trouble with dental work. My boyfriend heard on the radio about a free lecture in San Francisco. I went, and the auditorium was packed with men. Since then I have met as many men as women with craniofacial difficulties. I discourage belief in the myth that TMJD is more prevalent in women than men.
Condyle
06-21-2004, 11:29 PM
May be because tmj doctors see an average of 8 women with TMJD for every man. Both male and female doctors said that.
chrislon
06-22-2004, 05:32 AM
You know what my doctor said: "TMJ is much more common in women than in men, because they tend to talk too much" ;-)
cvella
06-26-2004, 01:26 PM
women tend to have longer necks, which can lead to the forward head position. This puts a lot of strain on the TMJ and all the muscles of the head and neck. Additionally, men typically have stronger upper back and chest muscle than women, both of which are stabilizers for the neck.