Fibromyalgia: What Increases Your Risk

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing fibromyalgia. Being female greatly increases your chance of developing this syndrome. It is possible that having a rheumatic disorder (such as rheumatoid arthritis), an infectious disease (such as Lyme disease or mononucleosis), a psychiatric condition (such as major depression), or a traumatic event (such as a car accident) may increase your chance of developing fibromyalgia. There is some evidence that having a family history of fibromyalgia may increase your risk.

If you already have fibromyalgia, you may be more likely to have recurring symptoms or persistent pain if you are a woman and:⁴

• You have frequent episodes of emotional or physical stress.
• You have had symptoms for many years.
• You have insomnia or a sleep disorder.
• You have depression or an anxiety disorder.
• You have belly pain, headaches, or problems with urination.