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Gout occurs when the body forms crystals of uric acid, a substance that normally dissolves in the blood and passes out of the body in urine. These crystals can build up in specific joints and cause significant pain. Before menopause, women have lower levels of uric acid than men, and it’s believed that estrogen levels may be a factor. After menopause, women have similar levels of uric acid as men, which is why we also see women starting to develop gout by the time they reach their 50s or 60s.
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