During menstruation below. Why does it hurt in the lower abdomen before menstruation, pain in the lower abdomen and discharge during and after menstruation. About pain syndrome of varying severity

Severe pain in the lower abdomen in women can have many causes, since important internal organs of the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, and main blood vessels are located in the abdominal cavity. Often, pain syndrome accompanies inflammatory processes, may be a consequence of compression or injury. Situations in which the lower abdomen hurts after menstruation are in most cases associated with other gynecological pathologies. It is all the more worth suspecting the presence of a disease with severe pain against the background of frequent delays in menstruation. Unpleasant sensations have different intensity, appear before menstruation begins, accompany it or pursue women after.

Causes of pain

The onset of menstruation is always associated with fluctuations in hormonal balance: as a rule, in the last days of the cycle, the risk of exacerbation of chronic pathologies is higher, inflammation is possible. A characteristic feature in some women is a specific pain syndrome during menstruation. The reasons for which it hurts in the lower abdomen during menstruation, in the previous or subsequent days, can be combined into several groups:

1. Algomenorrhea. This condition is closely studied by doctors, since the mechanism of its development has not yet been identified. It is known that pathology appears at various periods in approximately 15% of women and is difficult to treat.
2. The onset of pregnancy. The process of implantation of the embryo into the endometrium in many women is painful.
3. Diseases and appendages. In such situations, pain appears in the lower abdomen on the right or left, may be accompanied by high fever and other negative symptoms.
4. Ectopic pregnancy. A very dangerous condition that requires immediate surgical attention. Sharp shooting pains are characteristic, often occurring against the background of a delay in menstruation.
5. Diseases of the intestines, liver or urinary tract. In such cases, the symptoms are very strong, cannot be anesthetized with medicines, and can cause serious complications.
6. Strong stress. Spasms in the abdominal cavity often have a neurological origin.

Before menstruation

Pain in the lower abdomen a week before the expected menstruation is often one of. In such cases, mild or moderate pain is sometimes possible. If women have work disorders, the condition can be aggravated by constipation, flatulence, a feeling of heaviness and cramps in the abdominal cavity. Premenstrual syndrome, in addition to pain, is manifested by weight gain, swelling, causeless mood swings, irritability, physical weakness,. If health disorders are not intense, appear periodically, are not accompanied by a menstrual cycle failure, and menstrual discharge does not have a putrid odor, blood clots and pus, there is nothing to worry about.

Possible Complications

Any violations of the menstrual cycle: too scanty or heavy periods, the sudden onset of pain, nausea or vomiting almost always indicate a developing pathology. To ignore violations of well-being means to provoke its complication.

Causes of pain (painful menstruation) during menstruation

The uterus during menstruation rhythmically contracts in order to expel everything that has served its time and is unnecessary. In some women, the pain receptors in the abdominal cavity are very sensitive, and they react with pain to any contraction. And for someone, the uterus is tilted back in its own way, and then it puts pressure on the nerve centers, which causes a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, an ache in the sacrum and lower back.

The activity of the uterus and female hyperesthesia in order depend on the hormonal background. With an increased amount of the hormone estrogen, which is more often monitored in women after 30 years, menstruation is not only painful, but also very plentiful and long. If all hormones are jumping, then you suffer both PMS and algomenorrhea at the same time.

The appearance of pain is also associated with a violation of the natural balance in the body between sex hormones (primarily progesterone) and prostaglandins, towards the predominance of the latter. Prostaglandins are specific chemicals that play a key role in most of the symptoms associated with menstrual discomfort. They are produced by the tissue of the uterus and stimulate its contraction. The higher the level of prostaglandins in the body, the greater the force of contraction of the uterine muscle and, therefore, the strength of pain. An excess of prostaglandins can create other accompanying manifestations: nausea, vomiting, headache, sweating, chills, tachycardia.

Heavy menstruation and insomnia and weight loss are sometimes observed with increased activity of the thyroid gland, which regulates the production of hormones.

Menstruation, along with pain in the abdomen, also occurs with an incorrect location of the uterus, its underdevelopment (sexual infantilism), inflammation in the genitals, endometriosis and other diseases, and increased excitability of the central nervous system.

Abdominal pain during menstruation is more common in young nulliparous women, and may be a sign of infertility. In addition, painful periods are observed with intrauterine contraception (IUD).

Gynecologists note that over the past 10 years, the number of girls whose periods are accompanied by abdominal pain has almost doubled. This is due to the deterioration of the environment, the wrong way of life, the wrong diet of girls.

Other symptoms of menstrual discomfort include:

• Pain in the lumbar back
• Pain in the legs
• Nausea
• Vomit
• Stool disorder (diarrhea)
• Weakness
• Increased irritability

Algodysmenorrhea can be primary and secondary

Painful periods caused by underdevelopment, improper position of the uterus and other anatomical features of a woman are called primary algomenorrhea. The same term refers to painful periods caused by endocrine metabolism disorders that are not associated with an organic lesion of the female genital area.

Pain during menstruation caused by inflammatory processes, cysts, fibromatous nodes, endometriosis, intrauterine device (IUD), gynecological and abdominal operations, are called secondary algomenorrhea.

You should definitely visit a gynecologist if:

• Pain during menstruation lasts longer than usual
• Pain suddenly gets worse
• There is more bleeding than usual and the woman has to use more than one sanitary pad or tampon every hour
• There are symptoms indicating the presence of an inflammatory process: fever, chills, sweating, muscle or joint pain, etc.
• There are symptoms that indicate the possibility of an infection: discomfort in the genital tract before menstruation, unprotected sex, unusual discharge, itching, odor, trouble urinating

Call an ambulance immediately if:

• passed out
• Feeling repetitively dizzy when you stand up
• Experiencing sudden, intense pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region that forces you to bend down or sit down
• Notice pieces of tissue in your menstrual blood, which are often silvery or grayish in color
• There is a possibility that you are currently pregnant (for example, an ectopic pregnancy)

Painful periods - severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation - treatment:

Gynecologists do not advise these days to lean on painkillers. If the pain is too strong, then still drink painkillers. Painkillers are best chosen individually, because many of them have side effects.

There are a number of drugs that can relieve pain and restore the cycle without harm to the body in a fairly short time. For example, the Time Factor combined preparation, which combines plant extracts of phytohormonal action, vitamins and microelements, not only delicately normalizes the various phases of the menstrual cycle, but also improves mood, alleviates PMS symptoms and maintains a good mood and performance.

After taking the medicine, lie down for a while under a warm blanket. Try to relax so that the pain is distributed throughout the body, then the stomach will hurt less.

And most importantly - always keep your feet warm, head cold (as in the famous saying)

In addition, papaverine hydrochloride (and analogues of No-Shpa, Papazol, etc.) can be used to relieve pain during menstruation.

You can use diclofenac anti-inflammatory suppositories, one suppository is enough for severe pain during menstruation.

Normal periods come regularly and last 3-5 days. These days, a woman quickly gets tired, feels unwell. However, this does not cause too much discomfort, does not interfere with the usual way of life. However, some feel severe pain in the abdomen. Sometimes it is so painful that a woman is forced to abandon all business, stay at home, drink painkillers. Such pain during menstruation is a sign of pathology. The cause may be diseases and hormonal disorders. It is impossible to endure and hope that the malaise will pass by itself. You have to go to the doctor.

Content:

When pain during menstruation is considered a pathology

The mucous membrane of the uterus (endometrium) is regularly updated, resulting in menstruation. The removal of dead epithelium from the uterus is carried out by contracting its muscles. In this case, compression of the nerve endings and compression of the vessels occurs, which causes pain in the lower abdomen. Pain radiates to the sacrum and lower back. Usually they appear on the eve of menstruation and in the first 2 days after their arrival.

Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) is a pathology. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen and back, there are associated ailments of varying severity. If a woman’s cycle is regular, the nature of menstruation is normal, then unpleasant symptoms quickly pass without causing her any particular torment. In severe cases, serious treatment is required.

Types of dysmenorrhea

There are two types of dysmenorrhea:

1. Primary (functional), not associated with any diseases. Usually, menstruation becomes painful 1.5-2 years after the onset of puberty, when the cycle normalizes, ovulation occurs regularly. Often, pain during menstruation is significantly weakened after the first birth.
2. Secondary (acquired), associated with pathological changes in the genital organs and various diseases. It occurs most often in women over 30 years of age. Usually accompanied by vegetative-vascular disorders (dizziness, excessive sweating and others), as well as tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmia.

If over the years the intensity of pain during menstruation remains constant, then such dysmenorrhea is called compensated. If the pain during menstruation becomes stronger every year, then it is called decompensated.

Degrees of dysmenorrhea

There are 4 degrees of dysmenorrhea, differing in the intensity of pain.

0 degree. Pain in the abdomen is mild, pain medication is not required.

1 degree. Pain is moderate, quite tolerable. Natural accompanying symptoms are mild depression, headache, indigestion. The discomfort can be completely eliminated by taking an anesthetic drug.

2 degree. Pain during menstruation is severe, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, chills, general weakness, migraine, irritability. The duration of the illness increases. Painkillers and sedatives help make you feel better.

3 degree. Severe abdominal pain appears in a woman 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation, continues until it ends. At the same time, the temperature rises, the head hurts a lot (up to vomiting), tachycardia and pain in the heart occur. There may be fainting. The woman is completely incapacitated. It is not possible to improve the condition by conventional means.

Addition: Pain during menstruation may differ in nature (cramping, pulling, aching, stabbing), give to the lower back, hips.

Causes of painful menstruation

Functional pain during menstruation can occur as a result of the pathological location of the uterus, the formation of adhesions and scarring after an abortion, the increased sensitivity of the woman's body to the changes taking place in it, and emotional excitability. An important role is played by heredity. The occurrence of pain can provoke vitamin deficiency and a lack of magnesium and calcium in the body. A sedentary lifestyle is also a cause of progressive dysmenorrhea. Contributes to the occurrence of pain during menstruation and a factor such as hormonal disorders in the body. An excess of the hormone prostaglandin causes an increase in uterine contractions, narrowing of blood vessels.

The appearance of primary dysmenorrhea is facilitated by the use of an intrauterine device. Secondary dysmenorrhea can occur as a result of pathologies such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ectopic pregnancy, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Severe pain during menstruation appears due to the formation of polyps and cysts in the uterus.

Video: What are the causes of painful periods

How to relieve period pain

If the pain is moderate, the cycle is regular, menstruation is normal in volume and duration, then with the help of some techniques, you can ease the pain.

Recommendation: With severe pain, it is recommended to visit a doctor and make sure that there are no diseases that are asymptomatic. In some cases, chronic inflammatory diseases and even tumors may not manifest themselves. A pain symptom may be the only signal of trouble.

If, after a gynecological examination, a woman does not have any diseases, then at home, the condition can be alleviated in the following ways:

1. Massage the abdominal muscles in a clockwise direction, which will help relieve tension in them and relieve spasms. It is also good to massage the lower back.
2. Take a warm shower to help relax muscles and dilate blood vessels.
3. Lie on your side with your legs tucked up to your stomach (fetal position).
4. Take no-shpu to eliminate spasm in the uterus, ketonal or ibuprofen (have a strong analgesic effect), valerian (as a sedative).
5. Do light physical exercises (tilts, rotation of the body). Good for pain relief during menstruation yoga.
6. Apply during menstruation compresses with sea salt on the lower abdomen. Before and after menstruation, it is useful to take relaxing short (15-20 minutes) baths with the addition of such salt.
7. Drink soothing chamomile and mint tea (add 1-2 teaspoons of honey to 1 cup of tea). It is useful to take an infusion of parsley, strawberries.
8. If there is no allergy, essential oil can be rubbed into the skin in the area of ​​the sacrum and lower abdomen. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day 2 days before menstruation and in the first 2-3 days after they start. It helps to relieve severe pain during menstruation with a mixture containing 50 ml of St. John's wort oil, 5 drops of yarrow and sage oil.
9. In case of pain and heavy bleeding, ice should be applied to the lower abdomen for 15 minutes (over clothing, put in a bag).

Swimming is recommended. During swimming, the muscles relax, nervous tension is relieved. Endorphins (the so-called joy hormones, analgesic substances) are intensively produced in the body.

Video: Exercises for pain during menstruation

When to See a Doctor

Obvious signs of serious pathologies are most often severe pain that lasts a long time (more than 2 days). Moreover, the pain is so strong that the woman is forced to put aside all her affairs and stay at home. Abdominal pain is accompanied by diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Dizziness, headache, stabbing pain in the abdomen can be signs of excessive blood loss and anemia.

Severe cramping pain in the abdomen occurs with an ectopic pregnancy. The woman needs urgent surgery.

When painkillers and no-shpa do not help, the pain and volume of discharge increase, a doctor's consultation is simply necessary. If severe pain appeared during menstruation suddenly against the background of a cycle disorder, weight loss, this may be a sign of a tumor. You need to see a gynecologist urgently.

Drugs prescribed for dysmenorrhea

Menstrual pain affects 90% of women aged 18 to 35 years. Such pains are often intense, so the timely intake of an effective analgesic helps patients restore the rhythm of life and completely eliminate menstrual pain.

Dialrapid is a fast-acting analgesic that eliminates pain of any intensity. Potassium bicarbonate acts as a pH buffer, providing the drug with complete dissolution in water, and subsequently creating a microenvironment around the active substance - diclofenac potassium. It is this microenvironment that promotes accelerated absorption and helps the drug to be completely absorbed by the body. The pronounced effect of Dialrapid shows in the first 5 minutes after application. The powder is absorbed by the body almost as quickly as an injection, and unlike its tablet counterparts, it has a high peak plasma concentration 1 .

To eliminate pathological pain during menstruation, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with antispasmodic drugs. They are able to suppress the production of prostaglandins, thereby reducing uterine contractility.

For the treatment of dysmenorrhea, oral contraceptives are widely used - hormonal low-dose drugs that prevent the formation of excess prostaglandins. Herbal preparations based on phytoestrogens, which improve hormonal levels, as well as homeopathic remedies of non-hormonal action (menalgin), are also used. Gradually accumulating in the body, they help regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce pain and improve the condition of the nervous system.

Complex preparations containing vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, as well as plant extracts (for example, time factor) are prescribed. It is recommended to start taking medications in advance, before the onset of menstruation. Then, by the time they occur, the required dose accumulates in the body, the drug acts more efficiently.

Physiotherapy methods - UHF and electrophoresis help to reduce pain during menstruation. In this case, the procedure is carried out in advance. Before the onset of menstruation, special solutions (novocaine, sodium bromide) are applied to the stomach and exposure to ultrasound or electrical impulses is performed. There is warming and anesthesia.

Prevention of dysmenorrhea

In order for menstruation to be less painful, it is recommended to stop drinking alcohol on critical days, avoid stress, not catch colds, move more, do yoga. It is necessary to limit the use of sugar these days, foods that cause bloating. It is useful to eat chocolate, which stimulates the production of endorphins, as well as foods containing calcium and magnesium.

Video: Yoga classes during menstruation

1. There are contraindications. It is necessary to read the instructions or consult with a specialist.

Normally, on the eve of menstruation, slight aching sensations in the abdomen are acceptable. If they intensify, do not go away for a long time, pathologies of the organs of the reproductive system, peritonitis, appendicitis and others should be excluded.

For what reasons does the lower abdomen begin to hurt before menstruation

Menstruation is an important part of a woman's life. Menstruation (menstruation, menarche) is a natural process, accompanied by bloody discharge from the uterus. First starting in adolescence, they last until the onset of menopause. Why the lower abdomen hurts during menstruation, and what to do to alleviate the condition, it is useful for all women to know.

The first menstruation is a signal that the girl's body is ready for pregnancy. The time of occurrence of monthly discharge is individual and largely depends on heredity, physiological characteristics, hormonal levels and other factors.

For most women, menstruation brings little to no discomfort other than spotting for a few days. Moderate pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation is considered normal. But for some, the first 2-3 days of a new cycle become a real flour.

Many women experience severe pulling or cramping menstrual pain in the lower abdomen. They are joined by aches in the lower back and legs, dizziness. The satellites of menstruation are the following states:

• stool disorder;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• nausea and vomiting;
• tachycardia;
• general weakness.

Often, the intensity of pain in a woman over a long period is approximately the same. But it can change: become more pronounced or almost disappear. This happens after childbirth, gynecological operations or other significant health events.

Physiological causes

The biochemical processes taking place in the body have a great influence on the appearance of pain on “critical days”. A high level of hormone-like substances - prostaglandins - causes more intense.

The level of sex hormones in the female body depends on the phase of the monthly cycle. Just before the onset of menstruation, the production of large amounts of estrogen and progesterone affects the physical and emotional state.

Up to 90% of women these days are experiencing a whole range of unpleasant symptoms, which are called premenstrual syndrome (PMS):

If PMS becomes a hindrance to a normal life, a doctor's consultation is necessary. In some cases, hormonal therapy helps, sometimes it is enough to undergo a course of treatment with homeopathic remedies, drink vitamin complexes.

Pathological causes

The growth of the inner lining of the uterus - endometriosis - can not only disrupt the normal monthly cycle. Severe pains in the lower abdomen with this pathology are spastic or aching in nature, sometimes a woman feels them already 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation.

Uterine fibroids, infectious diseases of the reproductive organs, and a viral disease transferred shortly before the start of the cycle will also provoke pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Strong stress or unusually large physical exertion does not affect the well-being of a woman in the best way.

Non-gynecological causes

It happens that pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation is confused with signs of serious illness. Among them are not only gynecological pathologies, such as inflammation of the appendages, ectopic pregnancy, or rupture of one of the ovaries. The reason that a woman has a severe pain in the lower abdomen can be appendicitis, renal colic. Pain can occur when peritonitis or a heart attack begins.

A woman needs to urgently call an ambulance in such cases:

• severe weakness, dizziness;
• nausea;
• pallor of the skin;
• cold sweat.

What drugs will relieve pain

In cases where there is no longer the strength to endure pain on the right or left lower abdomen that accompanies menstruation, doctors recommend taking medication. An effective drug is No-Shpa, which relaxes smooth muscles and soothes pain. Not bad help Spazgan, Trigan and other combined analgesics.

Ibuprofen-based non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in combating ailments that recur every month.

In cases where menstruation is very painful, the doctor may advise replacing tablets with injections. This form of administration of an anesthetic allows you to feel relief in the lower abdomen after 5-10 minutes.

Taking oral contraceptives helps to normalize a woman's own hormonal levels. Not only does the stomach stop hurting, but the condition of the skin improves, therefore, when taking birth control pills, most women note that menstruation began to begin without the slightest discomfort.

How to help yourself

There are many ways to relieve periods without medication. Heat helps relieve spasm: hot heating pads or dry warm compresses should be applied to the stomach and legs.

A fragrant bath with herbs and essential oils will relax the muscles, soothe and relieve pain. Contrasting sitz baths will improve the outflow of blood and relieve discomfort. You need to take them twice a day.

Physical exercises

Women who play sports rarely complain of ailments on certain days of the month. And although doctors do not recommend intensive training during this period, moderate physical activity will not hurt.

Playing sports, walking in the air, lack of stress are the basis of good health. There is a special set of exercises that can be performed without leaving home. It helps to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs and relax.

You need to lie on the floor, bending your knees, and resting your feet on the floor, stretch your arms along the body. Taking jerky breaths, slowly raise and lower the stomach. It is important to relax as much as possible. The exercise should be repeated 5-7 times.

Another exercise: lie on the floor, moving your buttocks against the wall, you need to rest your feet against the wall. Then, bend your knees and maintain this body position for up to 5 minutes.

Lying on the floor, pull one leg to the chin, holding the other near the floor. Stay in this position for 2 minutes, then change legs.

From pain, the knee-elbow posture helps well: you need to lean on your knees and elbows, lowering your head. Maintain this pose for 2 minutes.

Diet

One of the latest theories about the appearance of menstrual pain is a low supply of calcium in the female body. If you replenish it, this period will pass much easier. Therefore, 10 days before the discharge should begin, it is worth switching to a diet based on dairy products.

During menstruation, the uterus contracts very rhythmically in order to remove all unnecessary and exfoliated. In view of the fact that during this period the woman's sensitivity increases, each uterine contraction causes severe pain in the lower abdomen.

Algodismenorrhea during menstruation

The activity of the uterus and sensitivity also depend on the hormonal background. After 30 years, an increased amount of the hormone estrogen is observed, therefore, in addition to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a woman also suffers from algomenorrhea - recurrent pains that are accompanied by rejection.

There are two types of algomenorrhea:
- primary - pain caused by the non-standard position of the uterus and other anatomical features of the woman, as well as endocrine changes;
- secondary - painful sensations are caused by inflammatory diseases:, fibrous nodes, gynecological operations or use (IUD).

Most often, severe abdominal pain occurs in nulliparous young women and can sometimes be a sign of infertility.

In addition to pain, there may be other manifestations of discomfort:
- pain in the lower back, legs;
- vomiting and nausea;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Increased irritability and weakness.

All of the above symptoms are considered normal manifestations during menstruation. However, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the body and contact a specialist with the following symptoms:
- abdominal pain lasts longer than usual;
- there is more bleeding than usual;
- the temperature rises, chills, joint and muscle pain, severe sweating are observed;
- there are non-specific menstrual flow, a strong smell and itching, difficulty urinating;
- if there is a possibility of pregnancy.

Painkillers for menstruation

It is necessary to choose an anesthetic individually, after consulting with a specialist, because there are side effects from taking medications.

After taking the remedy, you need to relax (in a horizontal position, the pain is distributed along the entire body, decreasing in the stomach), the legs must be kept warm. Gymnastics in the “stretching cat” pose helps a lot.

The psychological state also has a great influence on pain sensations. It is recommended to avoid strong emotional stress whenever possible.