Pilonidal Disease in Women
Breaking the Myths and Raising Awareness
When most people hear about pilonidal disease, they often picture young men as the typical patients. While it’s true that pilonidal disease is slightly more common in males, many are surprised to learn that a significant portion of those affected are women. In my practice, women account for nearly one-third of all patients undergoing treatment for pilonidal disease. Yet, because of persistent myths and a lack of open discussion, women with pilonidal disease often face unnecessary stigma, misdiagnoses, and delays in receiving effective treatment.
In this blog, we’ll shed light on the realities of pilonidal disease in women, address why it’s underrecognized, and discuss the path to lasting recovery.
Understanding Pilonidal Disease
Pilonidal disease is an infection that occurs in the crease between the buttocks, called the natal cleft. It is not a congenital condition, as was historically believed, but rather develops over time from repeated microtrauma in deep clefts that rupture hair follicles. The ruptured follicles develop into holes in the airless cleft. Hair or debris later becomes trapped under the skin due to a vacuum action that occurs in the deep cleft, leading to inflammation and infection.
Factors like a deep cleft, friction, and hair growth contribute to its development. But pilonidal issues crop up in women who have little body hair, too. It is important to note that pilonidal disease is not dependent on body type, hygiene, or activity level — it can affect anyone.
Why Pilonidal Disease in Women is Often Overlooked
There are several reasons why pilonidal disease in women can go underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed:
- Bias and Assumptions: Historically, pilonidal disease has been described as a “young man’s disease,” leading many healthcare providers to overlook it in women or attribute symptoms to other causes like cysts, abscesses, or skin infections.
- Social Stigma: Many women hesitate to seek care due to embarrassment about the location of the problem or fear of being judged, especially when they are otherwise healthy and active.
- Misdiagnosis: Because it can mimic other conditions, such as coccydynia (tailbone pain), infected sebaceous cysts, or hidradenitis suppurativa, women often undergo ineffective treatments before the correct diagnosis is made.
Symptoms Women Should Watch For
Recognizing pilonidal disease early is key to effective treatment. Common symptoms include:
- Tenderness, redness, or swelling near the top of the buttocks
- Pain while sitting or moving
- Drainage of blood or pus from a small opening in the skin
- Recurring infections in the same area
- Development of a painful lump or abscess
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek care from someone familiar with pilonidal disease — someone who understands that it affects women just as much as men.
Effective Treatment: Moving Beyond Outdated Methods
Unfortunately, many women who are diagnosed are still subjected to wide excision surgeries or other invasive techniques that have high failure and recurrence rates. At The Sternberg Clinic, we use a different, highly successful approach: the Pilonidal RAF Procedure, also known as the Cleft Lift Procedure.
This procedure reshapes the cleft to eliminate the deep crease that fosters the disease, promoting permanent healing with a simple outpatient surgery. Over 99% of my patients avoid the need for reoperation after undergoing the Pilonidal RAF.
Importantly, the Pilonidal RAF offers:
- Rapid recovery
- Minimal pain
- No need for wound packing
- Reasonable cosmetic results
- Extremely low recurrence rates
Women especially appreciate the discreet, low-maintenance healing process — allowing them to quickly return to their daily activities with confidence.
Changing the Narrative: Women and Pilonidal Disease
It’s time to break the stereotypes surrounding pilonidal disease. Women deserve to have their symptoms taken seriously, diagnosed promptly, and treated effectively.
If you are a woman struggling with pilonidal disease — or if you’ve been misdiagnosed or mistreated in the past — know that you are not alone. With the right approach, pilonidal disease is curable, and you can reclaim your health and quality of life.
At The Sternberg Clinic, we are proud to stand at the forefront of modern pilonidal care, helping women and men alike achieve lasting relief.
If you’d like more information or to schedule a consultation, visit our website and submit your information, or call us directly.
We’re here to help you every step of the way.
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