Pain in the hip joint—where the thigh bone meets the pelvis—can range from mild to severe and is especially common in women, particularly in midlife and beyond. Women may be more prone to hip pain due to a greater hip range of motion and hormonal shifts during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Injuries (like strains or fractures), infections, and conditions such as arthritis are other frequent causes. Depending on the source, discomfort may be felt at the front, side, or back of the hip and can interfere with walking, climbing stairs, sitting, and sleep. The good news: effective treatments can reduce pain and restore mobility.

How is the hip structured?

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint: the femoral head (ball) fits into the acetabulum (socket) of the pelvis to allow wide motion. Surrounding structures support and move the joint:

  • Muscles: gluteals, adductors, iliopsoas, quadriceps, hamstrings

  • Tendons: connect muscle to bone

  • Ligaments: stabilize the joint

  • Bursae: fluid-filled cushions between tissues

  • Nerves and blood vessels: supply sensation, movement, and nutrition

How hip pain in women presents

Issues in or around the joint can cause dull, aching, sharp, grinding, or throbbing pain. Stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion are common and may hinder daily activities. Course of pain:

  • Acute: sudden, short-lived (often injury, infection, or overuse)

  • Episodic: comes and goes, triggered by activity

  • Chronic: persists ≥3 months (often arthritis or structural causes)

Potential causes of hip pain in women

1. Osteoarthritis
Degeneration of cartilage leads to bone-on-bone friction and gradual, activity-worse pain—often in the groin radiating to the thigh or buttock—plus morning stiffness, crepitus/locking, and reduced range of motion or a limp. Risk rises with age, prior injury, family history, and higher body weight.

2. Bursitis
Inflammation of hip bursae causes side-of-hip (trochanteric) or groin-area (iliopsoas) pain. It often worsens at night, when lying on the affected side, after sitting, or with prolonged walking/stairs. Swelling/warmth may occur. Triggers include overuse, prior injury, gout, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Tendinitis
Inflammation of hip tendons (e.g., gluteal or proximal hamstring) causes lateral hip or lower-buttock pain that can radiate and worsen with prolonged sitting, lying on the side, or intense activity. Stiffness, weakness, and tenderness are common. Overuse and midlife hormonal changes (perimenopause/menopause) increase risk.

4. Hip labral tear
Injury or repetitive stress damages the labrum (cartilage ring), producing sharp groin pain, catching/locking, clicking, and difficulty rotating or weight-bearing. Structural differences like hip dysplasia raise risk.

5. Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Extra bone on the femoral head/neck or acetabulum causes abnormal contact and friction. Symptoms include dull groin ache, sharp pain with squatting/twisting, clicking/catching/locking, stiffness, and limping. More common with shallow sockets, in active women, and former high-impact athletes.

6. Hip fractures
Breaks of the upper femur are far more common in women, especially with osteoporosis. They cause severe groin/upper-thigh pain, inability to bear weight or move the leg, and require urgent care. In younger women, fractures typically follow significant trauma.

Less common causes

  • Hip dysplasia: shallow socket causes activity-worse side/groin pain and limp

  • Rheumatoid arthritis: inflammatory, often bilateral hip pain with stiffness

  • Psoas syndrome: iliopsoas irritation with pain radiating toward the knee, worse with activity

  • Osteomyelitis: bone/joint infection causing hip pain, fever, chills, malaise, and limited motion

When to see a healthcare provider

Seek care if hip pain lasts more than a week, limits walking or stairs, causes a limp, or occurs with fever or rash. Get immediate help for hip pain after a fall/accident, visible leg deformity or bleeding, or inability to bear weight or move the hip.

How is hip pain in women diagnosed?

Evaluation starts with history (location, onset, triggers/relievers) and a physical exam (range of motion, strength, special maneuvers). Tests may include:

  • Blood tests: look for inflammation or infection

  • X-rays: assess fractures, spurs, joint space

  • MRI: visualize soft-tissue injury (labrum, tendons, muscles) and inflammation

  • Synovial fluid analysis: diagnose infection or inflammatory arthritis

How is hip pain in women treated?

Treatment depends on cause and severity, combining self-care, medications, therapy, and sometimes surgery.

At-home treatments

  • RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, elevation after acute injury

  • Over-the-counter pain relievers: ibuprofen/naproxen for inflammation; acetaminophen for pain

  • Wear comfortable shoes: flat, cushioned insoles to reduce joint stress

  • Weight management: easing load on the hip joint

Medical treatments

  • Prescription medications: stronger NSAIDs or oral/injected corticosteroids for inflammatory flares; antibiotics for bone/joint infection when indicated

  • Physical therapy: targeted strengthening (gluteals/core), mobility, gait retraining, and activity modification to restore function and prevent recurrence

  • Surgery: considered for refractory cases (e.g., labral repair/arthroscopy, FAI correction, fracture fixation, total hip replacement, or resurfacing)

With a clear diagnosis and the right mix of strategies, most women can reduce pain, regain motion, and return to the activities they enjoy.