I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome. I can't believe how many other women I've found who have the same problem. Is this a problem just among American women? Maybe if we had to struggle everyday just to get water or feed our families, we wouldn't notice a few extra aches and pains.

Studies from around the world show that fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) occurs everywhere. Up to four per cent of the population has FMS. All age groups are affected. The one thing that's the same worldwide is gender. Women are much more likely to have FMS compared to men.

Older women and women of low socioeconomic status seem to have the most severe cases. Scientists aren't sure why this is so. Slim women seem to have more problems, too. It's possible the demands of their jobs exceeds their physical ability causing symptoms and disability.

So far research doesn't support the idea that American women with their higher socioeconomic status (compared to many other countries) is a risk factor. More studies are needed to find a single cause of FMS. Most likely, risk factors are multifactorial.