Written by Leah Morrow
Hip dysplasia: a women’s health consideration
Hip dysplasia is often thought of as something diagnosed in babies and children.
But developmental hip dysplasia can also become relevant much later in life, particularly for women experiencing persistent hip or groin pain, instability or difficulty returning to sport.
What is it?
Hip dysplasia is a condition where the hip socket is too shallow or does not adequately cover the head of the femur. This can reduce the stability of the hip joint and alter how load is distributed through the hip.
So why does this matter for women?
Hip dysplasia is more common in females, and there are several potential reasons for this.
Anatomy matters.
Women typically have differences in pelvic shape and hip morphology, including greater pelvic width, which can influence how the hip joint is loaded.
Hormones may matter too.
Oestrogen can influence ligamentous laxity and connective tissue properties. For some women, changes in hormonal environment may therefore influence how the hip feels and responds to load.
But this doesn't mean hormones cause hip dysplasia.
Rather, anatomy, ligamentous laxity, muscle function and loading all interact.
What might you notice?
Women with symptomatic hip dysplasia may experience:
• Deep groin or hip pain
• Pain with running or higher-impact exercise
• Clicking, catching or locking
• A feeling of the hip being “loose” or giving way
• Pain after prolonged sitting
• Difficulty with pivoting or changing direction
• Recurrent symptoms despite strengthening or rest
And what about pregnancy?
Pregnancy brings significant changes in:
• Pelvic and hip loading
• Activity levels
• Strength and conditioning
• Connective tissue properties
• Hormonal environment
For a woman with an underlying structural predisposition, these changes may alter how the hip feels and tolerates load.
This is one reason why persistent hip or groin pain during pregnancy or after having a baby shouldn't automatically be put down to “pregnancy hormones” or simply getting back into exercise too quickly.
What does this mean for female athletes?
If you're a runner, dancer, footballer, hockey player or participate in a sport requiring large hip ranges of movement, understanding your individual hip anatomy can be important.
Not every painful hip needs imaging.
But persistent symptoms, instability or mechanical symptoms may warrant further assessment and, where appropriate, imaging.
The key message:
Women’s hip health is more than just muscles and mobility.
Your anatomy, hormones, pregnancy history, training load and sporting demands can all form part of the picture.
If you're experiencing ongoing hip or groin pain that is affecting your ability to exercise, don't just accept it as something you have to live with.
Get the right assessment and understand why it's happening.
Women deserve a more individualised approach to hip health.