Why does the lower back hurt during menstruation: causes of back pain, what to do

Why does my lower back hurt during menstruation? One study of women aged 18-25 found that about 84% of women reported pain during their periods, called dysmenorrhea. About 16% of those who reported period pain also had lower back pain.

Lower back pain during your period can be uncomfortable, but it's usually not a sign of a serious medical problem. However, some health problems, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids, can cause severe lower back pain during your period.

Below we'll look at why this type of pain occurs during menstruation and describe medical treatments and home remedies.

Nature of pain

Many women are not even aware that they have a cyst until they undergo a medical examination or develop complications. But sometimes, as the formation develops, a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen may appear in the early stages. This indicates the presence of irritated nerve nodes and pressure on the bladder.

As the formation grows, early pain occurs. With an ovarian cyst, the side hurts, it swells, increases in size, and the sensation of discomfort is constant. This is due to the fact that the formation presses on the wall of the abdominal cavity.

As the disease progresses or complications occur, a woman may notice severe discomfort, a feeling of squeezing, bursting from the inside. If such sensations appear, you should immediately consult a specialist.

Different types of cysts manifest themselves differently, and symptoms may also vary:

• Follicular. It causes virtually no pain. It manifests itself in the form of discomfort or nagging pain on the side where the formation occurred.
• Cystic formation of the corpus luteum. This form of cyst has almost no effect on the condition and does not cause pain. When localized on the right, discomfort may appear in that area.
• Dermioid. Causes intense pain at the location. This is due to the fact that the formation can greatly increase and affect the functioning of other organs.
• Muciotic. Benign formation with a tendency to malignancy. The pain is increasing in nature and radiates to the legs. As the formation grows, neighboring organs and tissues suffer.
• Endometriotic. Develops as a complication of endometriosis. With such an ovarian cyst, the lower abdomen hurts, problems with bowel movements arise, and convulsions and seizures may occur.

With polycystic disease, which is characterized by the development of several formations at once, severe nagging pain occurs. They are localized in the abdomen, in its lower part, and almost never stop. With prolonged growth of functional cysts and lack of proper treatment, hemorrhagic formations can occur. They are characterized by nagging pain that intensifies in the period before menstruation. At the same time, menstrual bleeding itself becomes more abundant.

Lower back pain during menstruation, what to do if your back hurts during menstruation?

Women experience menstruation differently. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Some women do not experience any discomfort, others lie in bed for almost a whole week. Quite often, menstruation is accompanied by pain in the ovarian area, which radiates to the lumbar region. What is the reason for this phenomenon and is it possible to get rid of it?

Why does the lower back hurt during menstrual periods?

During menstruation, hormonal levels change and the muscles of the uterus contract. A woman may experience lower back pain before or after her period. This phenomenon is called dysmenorrhea. If there is increased sensitivity in the nerves, lower back pain occurs during menstruation. Pain syndrome is also provoked by excessive activity of the thyroid gland. Other reasons:

• excess fluid in tissues;
• renewal of the uterine mucosa;
• muscle spasms in the lower back;
• inflammatory processes in the body;
• pathological structure of the organs of the reproductive system;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• hypothermia;
• anatomical features of the placement of the uterus;
• intrauterine device.

The cause of lower back pain before menstruation can be determined by its nature. If this is a stringy pain, then it is the result of uterine contractions and is a variant of the norm. But in most cases, pain is associated with physiological and hormonal changes.

For example, with increased production of prostaglandins, which help regulate physiological processes in the body and affect nerve endings. Estrogen, the amount of which in the body of a woman of reproductive age is quite high, can also increase the sensitivity of receptors. Dysmenorrhea can be primary or secondary.

With primary dysmenorrhea, lower back pain before menstruation has the following causes:

• stress;
• psycho-emotional stress;
• unfavorable ecological environment;
• heredity.

Secondary dysmenorrhea:

• pathologies of the reproductive system;
• inflammatory processes in the body;
• inappropriate contraceptives.

And another reason that answers the question “why does the lower back hurt during menstruation” is premenstrual syndrome.

Diseases that may cause back pain during menstruation

Quite often, painful clinical signs of dangerous diseases do not appear during the intermenstrual period. If your back hurts before your period, sleep is disturbed and sudden weight loss begins, all these symptoms indicate a malfunction of the thyroid gland. Other pathologies that provoke discomfort:

• oncology;
• venereal diseases;
• infertility;
• mental disorders;
• endometriosis;
• adhesions in the uterus;
• inflammation of the ovaries;
• cyst;
• hemorrhage in the ovaries.

If your lower back hurts when your period is late, this may be a consequence of the following diseases:

• inflammatory process;
• polycystic disease;
• endometritis;
• cyst;
• myoma;
• inflammation of the fallopian tube;
• vaginitis;
• fibroma;
• tumor;
• cervicitis;
• vulvitis

In any case, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary. Normally, menstruation should be painless. The doctor should also know about the intensity of pain, its duration and frequency. In some cases, the painful condition is not a consequence of diseases of the reproductive system. These may be other pathologies:

• osteochondrosis;
• hernia;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• cystitis;
• urolithiasis disease;
• pleurisy.

Typically, the above pathologies are characterized not only by lower back pain, but also by other symptoms.

How to cope with pain?

Before starting treatment for pain, it is advisable to visit a doctor and undergo a full examination. If the root cause of the pain is treated, then the discomfort during menstruation should go away. In addition to medications, the following methods help:

1. Yoga. Helps relieve muscle spasms. You cannot do inverted poses where the head is lower than the pelvis.
2. Meditation - relieves stress and promotes relaxation.
3. Rest. Sleep and rest help relieve discomfort.
4. Warm. Hot tea, a warm bed and a heating pad relieve cramps. You can take a warm bath, but without foam and salt.

Localization: where it occurs

The location of pain depends on several factors. A particularly strong influence is exerted by:

• Associated inflammatory processes.
• Dimensions of education.
• Complicated course.

The first manifestations are usually noted on the left or right in the lower abdomen. Most often, cysts develop on the right, which is explained by the peculiarities of the female ovaries; in this case, their manifestations are confused with appendicitis. If the formation grows quickly, then the pain becomes wandering in nature.

Most often, discomfort can be observed in the area:

• Breasts. The appearance of unpleasant sensations in the chest area is characteristic of a corpus luteum cyst.
• Lower back. Localization in this area often indicates rapid growth of formation and a high probability of rupture.
• Lower abdomen. The appearance of discomfort indicates the progression of the pathology and an increased risk of complications.
• Left or right side with discomfort in the leg. Localization of pain on the left or right indicates the location of the formation, and unpleasant sensations in the leg indicate compression of the vessels of the hip area.
• Rectum. Unpleasant sensations indicate that the formation has grown significantly and is affecting the functioning and blood supply of neighboring organs.
• Sacrum. Pain indicates the progression of the disease and the presence of complications.

Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the type of cyst, its location and possible complications after conducting a thorough diagnosis.

Why does the lower back hurt during menstruation?

Discomfortable sensations on menstruation days are familiar to all women. Pain in the chest and lower abdomen, irritability, intestinal upset and aches in the lumbar region can be so severe that they force you to put off everything.

Often, unpleasant symptoms appear before the onset of menstruation and gradually go away on their own. But if your lower back constantly hurts during menstruation, you need to consult a doctor and figure out what is the cause of this condition. Perhaps through this sign the body signals problems in the reproductive system.

Lower back pain during menstruation as a normal option

Minor discomfort in the first days of bleeding is considered normal. With the help of menstruation, the uterus gets rid of the endometrium, which was not needed due to the lack of pregnancy.

The physiological process may be accompanied by mild pain in the lumbar region. As a rule, back pain during menstruation occurs due to increased production of prostaglandins, which activate the contractile function of the uterus. The painful sensation spreads from the reproductive organ to different parts of the body.

Normally, lower back pain during menstruation may also have causes such as the structure and location of the uterus. An organ displaced to the back compresses nerve endings and provokes pain in several places at once:

• Underbelly.
• Sacrum.
• Lumbar area.

The third answer to the question of why the stomach and lower back hurts during menstruation, if we do not consider pathological factors, will be the influence of estrogen. The sex hormone increases the sensitivity of receptors and keeps muscles toned. Tension of the pelvic muscles, depending on its intensity, provokes mild or severe pain during menstruation.

The fourth factor is lifting heavy objects and carrying them over long distances. If, due to household or work responsibilities, girls are constantly in contact with weights, the loads lead to the fact that the uterus moves downwards, and during menstrual bleeding the lower back ache.

If a woman who uses an intrauterine device experiences unbearable back pain during menstruation, this may indicate improper installation of the product. If discomfort accompanies all menstruation from the moment of insertion of the IUD, the situation should be discussed with a gynecologist and another method of contraception should be selected.

Nature of lumbar pain

A survey of patients shows that lower back pain during menstruation varies in sensations:

1. Spicy.
2. Aching.
3. Pulling.
4. Radiating to the limbs.
5. Temporary or permanent.

In addition to pain, women note other symptoms - nausea, weakness, diarrhea, dizziness, rapid fatigue, chest pain, and increased irritability. In some girls, the gag reflex is triggered, the body temperature rises, and chronic diseases worsen.

A thyroid examination will help you find out why your back hurts during your period. If the cause of the disorder is pathologies of the endocrine system, an incorrectly functioning thyroid gland changes the correct balance of hormones. As a result, critical days pass painfully and serious deviations develop.

If your back hurts badly and your body temperature rises to 37.5°C during menstruation, this may indicate infection of the pelvic organs and the development of an inflammatory process. There is no need to hesitate in this situation - here you need the help of a doctor.

But, unfortunately, women ignore poor health during menstrual periods, classifying this or that phenomenon as signs of PMS. Normally, menstruation should not impair the quality of life. Therefore, if an aching lower back causes a lot of suffering, you should consult a gynecologist and receive adequate treatment.

In order to diagnose lower back pain during menstruation, patients undergo blood tests - general, hormonal, biochemical.

In laboratory conditions, a vaginal smear is examined, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are performed, and an ultrasound scan of the internal genitalia and abdominal organs is performed.

Based on the results of a comprehensive examination, the specialist makes a diagnosis and explains why the lower back began to hurt during menstruation.

You cannot take painkillers as self-medication, because first you need to figure out where the shooting in the lower back and nagging, radiating pain during the menstrual period come from.

Pathological causes of lower back pain during menstruation

• Since the menstrual process is associated with the reproductive system, the causes of lumbar pain should first be sought in it.
• When your back aches during menstrual periods, the following diseases can be identified in gynecology:

• Oophoritis.
• Adnexitis.
• Spikes.
• Tumors.
• Endometriosis.
• Endometritis.
• Salpingitis.

Diseases affect the frequency of the cycle and increase discomfort at the time of bleeding. As for the back itself, it can react to menstruation with pain for its own reasons. These are radiculitis, disc herniation, osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis. Pathologies limit the mobility of the lumbar region, causing numbness in the legs and tension in the spinal muscles. Pain from the spine can radiate to the buttocks.

The urinary system also plays a certain role. If the kidneys and other organs are unhealthy, during menstruation the process worsens and discomfort occurs in the lumbar region. The reasons why your back hurts during your period are as follows:

1. Urolithiasis - solid elements in the kidneys.
2. Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder.
3. Pyelonephritis is an infectious process.
4. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of immune-allergic etiology.
5. Vesicoureteral reflux is an abnormal flow of urine.

Video:

If the lower back is pulled during menstruation due to diseases of the spine, the patient is referred to a CT, MRI and X-ray of the lumbar region. Urological diseases are diagnosed using urine analysis, cystoscopy, kidney ultrasound, and other studies.

Causes of pain

If an ovarian cyst hurts, this most often indicates the occurrence of a number of problems or complications of the condition. If you ignore the gynecologist's recommendations, discomfort may appear during:

• Active sex.
• Excessive physical activity.
• Injuries and impacts to the pelvic area.

If a woman followed all the recommendations, then the appearance of pain may indicate:

• Changing capsule sizes.
• Cyst rupture.
• Twist the legs.

These conditions require emergency intervention and constant medical monitoring, so if discomfort occurs, you should immediately seek help.

Primary dysmenorrhea

Most women who menstruate experience some form of primary dysmenorrhea, be it cramps, aches or pain in the lower back.

Chemicals called prostaglandins are the main cause of period pain. Just before your period, endometrial cells in the uterus produce a lot of prostaglandins. These chemicals, which are found in abundance throughout the body, play an important role in inflammation and healing. However, the buildup of prostaglandins can cause pain.

Uterine contractions also play a role in pain. The uterus contracts to get rid of its old lining. This is a weaker version of labor contractions.

For some people, the pain from these muscle contractions extends to the lower back.

Physical procedures

Painful sensations can be caused by physiotherapeutic treatment, only in rare cases. The cyst may remind itself after undergoing a magnetic therapy procedure, but only if the woman resorted to self-medication and underwent the procedure without consulting a gynecologist.

Physiotherapeutic treatment does not act as an independent method, but is used only in combination with other methods. Typically, such procedures are resorted to during the rehabilitation period to prevent the formation of adhesions, normalize blood circulation, and stabilize hormonal levels.

Treatment of back pain without drugs

In cases where pain in the lumbosacral, coccygeal segment or in another part of the back is the result of natural physiological processes occurring in the body at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, it can be dealt with without the use of medications.

Wool belt

A belt made from dog or goat hair is the safest and most effective way to combat back pain. More aggressive thermal effects (for example, heat applications, baths, saunas) are prohibited during menstruation, and the belt can be used with virtually no restrictions. It should be worn throughout the day, and in case of severe pain, the product should be left overnight (at least 8 hours).

Dog hair belt

Note! Some people advise rubbing your lower back with vodka or alcohol before putting on the belt. Experts do not advise doing this, since ethanol easily penetrates the skin (especially under the influence of heat, when the pores open more), which can cause intoxication in women with weakened immune systems.

Badger fat ointment

Badger fat is a very effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent that is used in folk and traditional medicine to treat coughs. Badger fat also stimulates blood flow to the application site, which has a positive effect on blood circulation and nutrition of the cartilage tissue that makes up the intervertebral discs. You need to apply the ointment 2-3 times a day (it is better to immediately wrap your lower back with a down scarf after this).

Badger fat

Advice! For chronic pelvic pain, which intensifies during menstruation, you can mix badger fat with natural honey (1 teaspoon each), heat the resulting mixture and apply a thick layer to the lumbar and tailbone area. Cover the top with a warm scarf and leave for 1-2 hours. After the procedure, rinse the skin thoroughly. To improve your well-being, it is enough to do 4-5 procedures.

Badger fat with honey

Gymnastics (exercise with a roller)

Heavy and intense physical activity during menstruation is contraindicated, but if a woman is bothered by back pain, it is recommended to perform this exercise daily (see picture below). It will not only relieve pain and discomfort, but also improve blood flow to the pelvic organs, and also increase the flexibility and elasticity of the spine.

Exercise to relieve back pain

If you don’t have a special gymnastic roller at home, you can make one from a terry towel. You should remain in this position for about 1 minute, gradually increasing the time to 2-3 minutes. If you perform this exercise daily, after a month you can forget about pain in the lumbar region.

Video - Causes of lower back pain during menstruation

Back pain during menstruation is a fairly common phenomenon, which is most often a consequence of the physiological characteristics of the body in the first phase of the menstrual cycle. You can fight pain using home methods and pills only after consulting a doctor, since some pathologies that can manifest with similar symptoms may require the use of surgical treatment methods.

How to relieve pain before going to the medical center

If pain with a left ovarian cyst greatly affects the quality of life, then before contacting a specialist, you can use painkillers. Painkillers are most often used in combination with antispasmodics:

• Ibuprofen.
• No-shpa.
• Paracetamol.
• Spazmolgon.

Additionally, you can use sedatives that will reduce the intensity of pain and help relax the muscles. In some cases, it is possible to use a heating pad, which is placed at the location of the cyst. This allows you to relieve spasm and further relax the muscles.

But you should not resort to self-medication and simply dull the pain. Based on the strength and nature of the manifestations, the doctor can determine:

• The patient's condition.
• Presence of complications.
• Localization of the cyst.

When pain is dulled by taking medications, this diagnostic method becomes ineffective, so immediately before visiting a doctor you should stop taking pills.

When to see a doctor

A person should get medical help for recurrent pain if any of the following occurs:

• Home care methods do not work or stop working.
• Medicines do not bring relief.
• There are associated symptoms such as bleeding between periods, pain during sex, or pain in the vagina.
• Periodic pain appears for the first time or intensifies.
• The pain is so severe that it prevents a person from going to work or school.
• There are other back or muscle symptoms, such as pain when walking, difficulty lifting things, or muscle spasms.
• Bleeding so heavy that it leaks through one or more tampons or pads per hour for more than 2 hours at a time.

Urgent medical care

When diagnosing a tumor, it is very important to visit your doctor regularly. Cyst rupture, leg torsion and malignancy require emergency medical care and hospitalization. When torsion or rupture occurs, the following symptoms occur:

• Ovarian cyst colitis.
• Painful sensations intensify and become more intense.
• The area where the formation is located increases in size and swells.
• After sudden movements or intimacy, the pain intensifies and is pulsating.
• Discomfort spreads from the lower abdomen to the lumbar region and sacrum.
• There is a feeling of weakness, vomiting is possible.
• Body temperature rises.

If such symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. As a rule, the specialist insists on hospitalization and performs diagnostic laparoscopy. If necessary, the complication can be removed immediately. The recovery period after laparoscopic intervention is 5 days.

If a woman arrives in serious condition, abdominal surgery with removal of the ovary may be required. In this case, the recovery period will be from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the complexity and volume of the intervention.

Natural causes of pain

Nagging pain in the lower back during menstruation is associated with hormonal changes.
Hormonal changes constantly occur in the female body - it all depends on the menstrual cycle. Back pain during menstruation is usually due to the following factors that are not considered pathological:

• increased swelling of the pelvic organs, caused by fluid retention during menstruation;
• active synthesis of sex hormones that regulate the cycle, as well as increase sensitivity to pain mediators;
• anatomical structure of the uterus - close to the spine or curved towards it;
• excessive tension in the lower back during or right before menstruation - prolonged sedentary work and physical activity.

In some women, pain develops due to stress or emotional overstrain.

Symptoms depending on the processes

Painful sensations in the back during menstruation can vary in strength, occurrence and additional symptoms.

• If nagging pain from the abdomen moves to the lower back, the reason for this is strong contractions of the uterus. Such symptoms pass quickly and are associated with impaired blood flow.
• The pain may increase with weight loss and sleep disturbances, which indicates hormonal imbalances associated with the thyroid gland, pituitary gland and ovaries.
• If lumbago occurs, as well as pain that extends to the legs and chest, this could be a disease of the spine - hernia, osteochondrosis.
• Dull pain in the kidneys can be associated with diseases of these organs, as well as with pleurisy.
• If the pain is nagging and severe, most often this indicates inflammation in the reproductive organs, then the symptoms persist throughout the entire cycle and are accompanied by discharge.
• An increase in estrogen is more common in women after 35 years of age, which immediately causes discomfort.

To exclude pathologies, you need to undergo diagnostics, but taking medications without a doctor’s prescription is not recommended.

If a woman’s lower back pain during menstruation is accompanied by other severe symptoms, and additional symptoms occur outside this period, in 95% of cases this becomes a consequence of various diseases.

Causes of pain

The factors why women have back pain during menstruation are not always associated with illness, but may depend on some irritating reasons:

• incorrect installation of the intrauterine device - not all women can use this method of protection against pregnancy;
• Frequently carrying heavy objects – constant lifting of heavy bags can lead to prolapse of the uterus, which causes pain;
• fluid retention - during menstruation, most women experience disruptions in water metabolism, which leads to swelling and pain.

One of the most dangerous causes is ectopic pregnancy. Sometimes it is accompanied by discharge, as during menstruation, but differs from them in increasing pain, which almost does not go away as the fetus grows.

Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea, or pain during menstruation, is associated with the position of the uterus. If it is close to the spine, it hurts due to the impact on the nerves. Secondary congenital dysmenorrhea – pain that occurs due to anatomically abnormal structure of the uterus:

• Bicornuate uterus. The organ has a compressed shape in the middle, similar to horns. In order for the layer to be normally rejected during menstruation, the organ has to contract more actively, which leads to severe pain.
• "Children's" uterus. An anomaly in which a woman’s uterus does not reach 7-8 cm in length and weighs 50 g. This leads to scanty periods, increased hormone synthesis and increased pain.
• Partition in an organ. Formed during embryonic development, the pain can be located clearly on the left or right in the lower back.

Often, pain in the lumbar area appears due to infections and inflammation. They are combined with vaginal discharge.

Pelvic infections

Infections are very common causes of pain. Always accompanied by pathological discharge and acute pain.

• Salpingo-oophoritis - inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries - the pain is dagger-like, sharp, often located on one side, during sexual intercourse and lifting heavy objects, the symptoms intensify, with a chronic course they decrease, and discharge also appears during intermenstrual time.
• Cystitis - inflammation of the bladder - pain, burning, decreased diuresis, cloudiness and sediment in the urine, deterioration of health.
• Tuberculosis of the genitourinary system - the bladder, urethra and tract become inflamed, symptoms are similar to those of cystitis, but stronger.
• Endometritis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterus occurs, the temperature rises to 39 degrees, severe pain in the abdomen and lower back occurs, and pus may be released.

Pain in this area can also be a sign of pelvioperitonitis, purulent tubo-ovorial formations.

Diseases of the spine and bones

If a woman has spinal pathologies, they may intensify during menstruation. Most often, osteochondrosis, protrusion and hernia of the spine hurt in this area. The following can also cause pain: epiduritis, spondyloarthritis, spondylolisthesis, narrowing of the foraminal canal, radiculopathy.

Some conditions, such as spinal abscess, require emergency surgery, so you shouldn't wait until the pain goes away.

Hormonal disorders

Lower back pain usually appears with diseases of the thyroid gland, as well as with other hormonal disorders. Most often, if the gland produces too many hormones. With increased progesterone, similar symptoms can also develop.

If pain persists after menstruation, very often the cause is tumors, cysts, inflammation of the ovaries and hemorrhage.

Increased salt intake

Salt is necessary for humans, but in minimal quantities. If this product is abused, fluid exchange is disrupted, which leads to greater swelling. Normally, it is permissible to eat 10-15 g of salt, and during menstruation - no more than 5 g to avoid unpleasant sensations.

What symptoms should you consult a doctor for?

If there is severe pain and heavy bleeding, you should consult a doctor.

Some signs of diseases and acute conditions cannot be treated by a woman with painkillers or other methods. If you have the following symptoms, you should urgently consult a gynecologist:

• lower back pain with delayed menstruation;
• heavy bleeding;
• pain persists longer than 3 days;
• vomiting and nausea appear;
• discharge becomes abnormal, appears before or continues after menstruation;
• the pain is very strong, similar to renal colic.

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Cost of treatment for ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are a fairly common disease, which, despite a favorable course, can lead to a number of serious complications. To maintain women's health and diagnose as early as possible, you need to regularly visit a gynecologist and undergo preventive examinations.

With early diagnosis, specialists prescribe conservative treatment followed by physical therapy, but if large formations are detected, a tendency towards malignancy or other complications, surgery may be required. The cost of treatment depends on:

• Forms of education.
• Conditions of a woman.
• Presence of complications.
• The chosen treatment method.

You shouldn't skimp on your health. Contact qualified gynecologists and forget about living with pain.