How to relieve pain during menstruation. Is severe pain during menstruation normal or a reason to see a doctor? Peppermint tea with lemon balm

“Why does the lower abdomen hurt during menstruation?” is a question that every woman should know the answer to.

It can only be given by a specialist who has scientific information.

Why does the lower abdomen hurt during menstruation and what to do?

With the advent of menstruation, girls begin to experience pain in the lower abdomen and use it to determine the time of their onset. Here it is important to know why the lower abdomen hurts during menstruation and whether you should worry about it.

This may have physiological roots, but may be associated with some disease. Let's start by figuring out why menstruation can be painful and difficult.

Causes of menstrual pain

A huge number of women during these few days, when menstruation passes, suffer from pain and feel unwell. Where does pain come from?

This is an inflammatory reaction, the release of special substances of an inflammatory nature that provoke painful sensations in the lower abdomen above the pubis.

As a rule, it is typical for menstruation that women have a stomach ache and swelling occurs at this moment, because the hormonal background changes and a lot of the hormone progesterone is produced.

Increased appetite and bad mood occur. Menstruation makes you feel worse. This is painful premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Doctors call menstruation a “scheduling nightmare.”

During menstrual bleeding, a woman’s natural protective mechanism is triggered, which helps to spasm the blood vessels so that blood does not flow all the time.

This mechanism has a name - the release of prostaglandins, special substances that spasm blood vessels.

Essentially, pain is related to prostaglandins. It's simple: prostaglandins were released - the blood vessels spasmed. Pain causes this spasm.

It turns out that with this pain nature protects a woman from large blood loss. And she feels heaviness and discomfort.

Menstrual pain associated with menstruation can be of different types.

1. Often young girls experience nagging pain in the abdomen, which makes itself felt before and during menstruation. They may persist until pregnancy.
2. When the uterus is bent and the nerve plexuses on which it puts pressure are hypersensitive, a woman may experience prolonged aching pain in the abdomen. They radiate in the lower back.
3. As a result of heavy physical activity at the beginning of menstruation, a dull pain in the form of a feeling of heaviness may occur, which lasts no more than a day.
4. A woman may experience paroxysmal severe pain during menstruation. Here you need to consult a gynecologist. Why? This pain is characterized by intense contraction of the uterus, spasms of the bladder and intestines. This indicates violations of these systems.
5. Menstruation can be characterized by acute pain. In general, severe pain in any part of the body is a sign of some kind of disease. In this case, these are disorders of the reproductive system or inflammatory, infectious diseases.

It should be noted that during menstruation, the legs and lower back may hurt, nausea, weakness, and diarrhea may appear.

In addition to physiologically caused menstrual pain, algomenorrhea may occur in 30-year-old women against the background of an increase in the hormone estrogen. There are two reasons for pain in this case.

Some are related to a woman’s anatomical personality and hormonal changes. The second may be caused by inflammation of the cyst, endometriosis, or intrauterine device. There may be heavy bleeding during your period.

How to get rid of painful periods

Your periods may be more comfortable. Prostaglandin blockers – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – will help do this.

These include over-the-counter drugs: aspirin, ibuprofen, voltaren, nurofen, paracetamol.

They relieve inflammation, and most importantly, they block prostaglandins, resulting in reduced spasm and pain.

They also interfere with the function of platelets, which form a clot and stop bleeding.

Women who have a tendency to bleed, for example, hereditary ones, or who take blood thinning medications due to poor blood clotting, are contraindicated with drugs in this group.

For those who have hypertension, drugs in this group will constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Also, the ban on these medications is associated with stomach and duodenal ulcers.

In really serious cases of severe pain, the gynecologist prescribes prescription drugs.

In addition to medications, you can take herbal teas and infusions. They can be purchased at any pharmacy.

When choosing a herbal mixture, you need to ensure that it contains herbs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.

These are St. John's wort, calendula, chamomile, motherwort, and daisy flowers. They give the greatest effect compared to other herbs. You should start drinking them a few days before the start of your period.

Also, when a woman has severe stomach pain, it is recommended to use a relatively hot heating pad to relax the lower part of the stomach so that it does not hurt.

The warmth should be comfortable. This is a good pain prevention.

In case of algodismenorrhea, contraceptives will help relieve severe abdominal pain and normalize the state of hormones. But you shouldn’t prescribe them to yourself.

Only a gynecologist, after examining and confirming the diagnosis, will prescribe an effective contraceptive drug that is optimal for your case.

Diseases that cause pain

Severe abdominal pain during menstruation can be associated with serious illnesses. In this case, the help from drugs that relieve pain during its normal course will be temporary.

Treatment of these diseases is required. Let's consider what diseases can cause such pain.

Cystitis

Cystitis is a very unpleasant disease. During menstruation, its symptoms intensify. These, in turn, aggravate menstrual pain. It becomes not only strong in the lower abdomen, but also spreads to the lumbar region.

If you never paid attention to any painful sensations before your period, then worsening the pain will help you pay attention to them.

These are manifestations of cystitis that require treatment. These include pain when urinating, pain, itching in the vagina, and headaches. The temperature may rise.

If you have such symptoms, you should contact a urologist. It is important that cystitis does not become chronic. Moreover, it is easy to treat if you start on time.

Usually, to clarify the diagnosis, a urine test is taken and an ultrasound examination of the genitourinary system is performed.

After diagnosis, drug treatment with antibacterial drugs is prescribed.

You will also need to give up fatty and spicy foods during this time.

If you contact a urologist in a timely manner, you will solve the problem with two components - restore the health of the genitourinary system, and reduce pain during menstruation.

Endometriosis

In a woman on her critical days, this disease causes severe pain and heavy periods. My lower back begins to tighten and my stomach hurts a lot. Brown discharge may appear.

To understand that severe pain is caused by this disease, you need to know the symptoms. This disease is characterized by delayed periods, nausea and vomiting, problems with the intestines and bladder, as well as very severe intense pain.

They may be achy or contraction-like. Their strengthening is associated with a large amount of endometrial cell output.

When contacting a gynecologist, a special diagnosis is prescribed, including ultrasound, computed tomography, and laparoscopy.

Depending on the result of the examination, hormonal therapy or surgery may be prescribed. Endometriosis is an insidious disease that makes it very difficult for a woman to become pregnant.

Therefore, if you observe the listed symptoms, you need to undergo examination.

Inflammation of the appendages

Inflammation of the appendages is of an infectious-inflammatory nature. The body becomes hypothermic and picks up a sexually transmitted infection.

As with endometriosis, this disease during exacerbation is manifested by intense pain, concentrated on the right and left.

It can be aching, pulling, sometimes acute, it is a “harbinger” of menstruation, and often goes away the next day. Other symptoms resemble endometriosis and cystitis. This is a burning sensation in the vagina, painful urination, high temperature. It may make you feel sick.

The discharge is either large or scanty. The diagnosis is made after undergoing an examination. Treatment is prescribed in the form of antibacterial therapy. Suppositories are also recommended for local treatment.

Cyst

The presence of an ovarian cyst can be suspected when an exacerbation of intolerable pain occurs during menstruation. It has the character of constancy or periodicity.

The location of the pain is determined by the location of the cyst on one of the ovaries. There are also other signs of this disease.

An ovarian cyst is characterized by pain during intimacy, prolonged delays in menstruation, painful sensations when urinating, an enlarged abdomen - more on a certain side, and hirsutism.

When you notice these signs, undergo an examination to clarify the diagnosis using ultrasound. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then depending on the size of the cyst, hormonal treatment or surgery is prescribed.

Surgery can always be avoided if the disease is detected at the very beginning. Large cysts and large numbers of them can only be removed surgically.

In addition to the serious diseases considered, it is necessary to take into account an additional range of causes that cause pain during menstruation.

These are abortions, thyroid disorders, developmental abnormalities, magnesium and calcium deficiency, neoplasms, low sensitivity threshold, low activity. They also require a medical opinion.

There are signs that make it easy to understand when a medical examination and treatment is urgently needed. These include:

• pronounced symptoms associated with inflammatory processes. This is a violation of the temperature regime, increased sweating and heartbeat, discharge with a strong odor during menstruation;
• very severe abdominal pain with heavy discharge and weight loss for several days;
• itching, burning sensation in the vaginal area and during urination.

Thus, minor pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation is physiologically caused and is considered absolutely normal.

You should be concerned when acute, prolonged, unbearable pain occurs in combination with the symptoms of serious illnesses discussed in the article, when you simply cannot do without medical help.

Useful video

Every month women have their period. Nobody likes this period, and some look forward to it with fear because of the terrible cramping pain. There are times when a representative of the fairer sex is forced to stay at home and call an ambulance because she feels terrible. What causes severe pain during menstruation, how to prevent their occurrence and relieve cramps if they have already appeared, you need to know in order to be able to help yourself before visiting a doctor.

Why does my lower abdomen hurt?

Dysmenorrhea- these are the ones that accompany menstruation. They arise due to the fact that within a month the epithelium grows in the uterus, to which the embryo will attach after fertilization, and if this does not happen, the body gets rid of it through bleeding. Doctors have found that it is impossible to get pregnant on the first day of the cycle.

During menstruation, a woman experiences slight malaise, discomfort in the abdomen and fatigue. However, this does not prevent her from adhering to the usual rhythm of life. If your critical days are very painful and your cycle is irregular, then you need to consult a gynecologist.

Types of pain during menstruation

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary.

Primary occurs within two years from the beginning of the girl’s first menstruation in her life. It is not associated with any pathologies, and the pain is natural and occurs due to the expulsion of an unfertilized egg from the ovary. This type of malaise usually disappears after the first birth. With primary dysmenorrhea, the cycle does not go astray, but remains normal and regular.

Secondary, or as it is also called, acquired dysmenorrhea, occurs due to diseases and changes in the genital organs. It appears more often in women over 30 years of age and is accompanied by cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia and vegetative-vascular abnormalities (dizziness).

If the unpleasant sensations do not change over the years, then such dysmenorrhea is called compensated. If the pain only intensifies with age, then, accordingly, it is decompensated.

Types of associated ailments

In addition to nagging pain in the genital area, menstruation may be accompanied by:

• Discomfort in the heart.
• Severe headaches or migraines.
• Fatigue quickly.
• Unpleasant sensations in the eye area.
• Sleep disturbance.
• Pressure surges.
• Irritability and depressed mood.
• Swelling.
• Mood swings.
• Pain in the lower back.
• Dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
• Increased sweating.
• Breast pain or tenderness.
• Constipation, diarrhea or other abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.

Severity of dysmenorrhea

There are 4 types of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation:

Causes of menstrual pain

Menstrual pain can occur due to the following factors.

• Incorrect location of internal organs, in particular the uterus.
• Formed adhesions and scars after artificial termination of pregnancy (abortion).
• Heredity.
• Constant psycho-emotional stress.
• Lack of iron, calcium and magnesium in the body.
• Hormonal imbalances.
• Avitaminosis.
• Installed intrauterine device.
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Sedentary and inactive lifestyle.
• Inflammation in the pelvis.
• Diseases such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis.
• Formation of cysts or polyps in the uterus.
• Sexually transmitted infections.

If the sensations do not interfere with the girl’s normal activity, then there is no need to worry and draw hasty conclusions. If the spasms interfere very much and cannot be tolerated, then you need to consult a specialist.

Treatment of dysmenorrhea

When medications no longer help to get rid of terrible symptoms and a woman is forced to give up all her duties for several days every month, then an examination by a gynecologist is vitally important.

Most of the medications your doctor will prescribe are aimed at reducing the amount of prostaglandins produced and thereby reducing the contractions of the uterus that cause attacks.

The doctor may prescribe low-dose hormonal drugs - oral contraceptives. Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs and antispasmodics will also have an effect.

Some time before the onset of menstruation, the doctor prescribes complex medications that include iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamins. You need to drink them in advance so that by the beginning of the cycle the necessary microelements accumulate in the body and have the desired effect.

Electrophoresis and UHF provide pain relief and warming. These procedures will help relieve pain, but it is also better to start them in advance.

Treatment at home

If menstruation is regular, the pain is tolerable and there is no need to reconsider your schedule, then you can alleviate the patient’s condition at home in the following ways:

• Lie down for a while in the fetal position (on your side with your legs tucked in).
• Stand under a warm shower, which will relax your muscles and dilate your blood vessels.
• Massage the abdomen in a clockwise circular motion and massage the lower back.
• Attend a yoga class or do some exercise at home (rotate your body in different directions, bend over).
• Take an antispasmodic or pain reliever.
• Before and after menstruation, take baths with sea salt for about 20 minutes. During cramps, apply compresses from it to the lower abdomen.
• An ice pack for 15 minutes will help relieve tension and reduce bleeding.
• Drink mint and chamomile tea several times a day.
• If there are no contraindications, you can rub a solution of essential oils into the lower abdomen and sacrum: 5 drops of sage and yarrow and 50 ml of St. John's wort.

For prevention, doctors advise doing yoga and swimming, which relax the muscles. You should not overwork, be very nervous and drink alcohol, especially during and before menstruation. Limit your intake of bloating foods and sugary foods. But chocolate, on the contrary, will help the production of endorphins. It is best to lead a healthy lifestyle and get rid of the causes of pain during menstruation than to suffer and treat their consequences in the future.

Most often, painful periods are primary dysmenorrhea, that is, unpleasant sensations do not arise due to illness, but on their own. If you are healthy, but you are in pain, then prostaglandins are to blame for your discomfort - these are mediators that increase the sensitivity of pain receptors. They are produced in the lining of the uterus during menstruation. Because of them, the uterus contracts in order to remove blood and endometrium faster.

When there are a lot of prostaglandins and the uterus contracts strongly, pain appears in the lower abdomen, which resembles cramps.

Sometimes back pain is added to these sensations. Prostaglandins also influence the contraction of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, so these substances are responsible for nausea and diarrhea during menstruation.

What other reasons cause pain?

If the pain begins suddenly, then you need to examine the genitourinary system and organs that are located nearby. Perhaps the real cause of discomfort is diseases, such as:

1. Endometriosis.
2. Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis).
3. Myomas, fibromas and other tumors.
4. Inflammatory diseases in the pelvic organs.
5. Intestinal diseases.

With painful periods, any of these diseases can be associated with increased production of prostaglandins. Therefore, if the pain becomes stronger than usual, lasts longer than three days, the cycle is disrupted, unusual discharge appears, or, consult a doctor with these symptoms.

What tests should I take to understand that this is not a dangerous disease?

An examination by a gynecologist is needed (at the same time, the doctor can take smears, including for hidden ones), as well as an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.

This is enough to draw conclusions about health and treat either illness or dysmenorrhea.

If during the examination the doctor finds nothing, and the pain during menstruation is severe, does not go away with bleeding, and the prescribed treatment does not help, then an exploratory operation will be required to find or exclude endometriosis.

Why does it hurt me, but my friend endures menstruation without problems?

You were unlucky. No one can say for sure why some women have heavier periods than others. This is a feature of the body that needs to be dealt with.

What pills can you use to save yourself?

First aid - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs. These are fairly safe painkillers, sold without a prescription and in a variety of combinations.

Anti-inflammatory drugs do more than just numb the pain. They reduce the production of prostaglandins, the very ones that are to blame for everything.

There is no point in immediately rushing for products with a complex composition. Regular ibuprofen may help. There are also stronger drugs - indomethacin, ketoprofen. All drugs have contraindications. Women who have stomach diseases need to be especially careful. To take NSAIDs in these cases, you need to consult a doctor who will select the drug.

But antispasmodics help with dysmenorrhea worse (if they help at all), because they do not affect the cause of the pain.

Will birth control pills help?

Hormonal oral medications create an artificial menstrual cycle with its own hormonal background. At the same time, the endometrium becomes thinner so that a fertilized egg cannot attach to it. And since this layer is thinner, there are fewer prostaglandins in it. Therefore, birth control pills are often prescribed for painful periods. Painful menstrual periods.

If your doctor recommends pills, try to choose modern medications with minimal side effects and check if you have any contraindications.

Therapy is not limited to pills: hormonal IUDs or perform the same tasks.

How to treat, besides pills?

There are methods that help make it easier to endure pain during menstruation. Unfortunately, it is impossible to say for sure that they will help: everyone has their own reactions. Try everything one by one, focus on your own state and listen to the sensations.

1. Warm. The best option is to crawl under the covers and sit with a mug of hot tea, you can even apply a heating pad to your lower abdomen, but this is not always possible. If you need to leave the house and do business, dress warmly. Choose clothes that don't create discomfort in the abdominal area: tight jeans and belts that cut into the body will last a few days. A warm shower works too.
2. Sport. You need to play sports for prevention, and when it becomes difficult, do light muscle exercises and stretching.
3. Acupuncture. There is no evidence that such alternative medicine works. But at least the procedures distract from the pain.
4. Relaxing massage. It distracts from unpleasant sensations and is generally beneficial for the body and mind, which also needs to rest sometimes. Massage your abdomen, stroking it clockwise in the area where pain is felt.
5. Comfortable position. If you can lie down, try to raise your legs higher or lie on your side with your knees bent.
6. To give up smoking. You need to quit for good, and not just for those days when you feel pain.
7. Vitamins and microelements. This is also not an absolutely reliable method, but it is possible that supplements with vitamins B6, B1, E, magnesium and calcium will help you Menstrual cramps: Lifestyle and home remedies.

Is it possible to get rid of pain once and for all?

Not as long as you're on your period. Although there are surgeries Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) which destroy nerves in the uterus. The effectiveness of such treatment is low, but there are risks.

Will the pain decrease after childbirth?

There are no guarantees that the pain will go away after childbirth, despite the fact that many doctors for some reason recommend childbirth as a remedy for many gynecological problems.

Some women notice that pain decreases with age and after childbirth, but not everyone can count on this. The pain may remain with you until menopause.

A normal menstrual cycle comes regularly and lasts from three to five days. During this period, women become very tired and feel unwell, but this does not interfere with their normal life and does not cause much inconvenience. However, some women feel severe pain in the abdominal area during menstruation, and sometimes it is so painful that they have to take painkillers. Such pain during the menstrual cycle is a sign of pathology and hormonal imbalance.

Painful sensations during menstruation differ in nature and can be stabbing, cramping, aching and pulling, and can be felt in the lower back and hips.

Menstruation is a normal, natural, physiological phenomenon in the lives of women, but in order to eliminate its pain, it is necessary to identify the provoking cause.

What causes pain during menstruation?

Menstruation appears as a result of renewal of the uterine mucosa. The contracting muscles of the uterus remove dead epithelium from it, but at the same time the nerve endings are compressed and the blood vessels are compressed, causing pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Pain usually appears on the eve of menstruation and in the first two days after its arrival and radiates to the sacrum and lumbar area.

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) are considered a pathology, since in addition to the pain observed in the lower abdomen and lower back, ailments manifest themselves to varying degrees. If the menstrual cycle is regular and its character corresponds to the norms, the pain does not cause pain and goes away over time. But severe cases require serious and long-term treatment. Painful periods can be caused by:

• Fibroma;
• Infectious and inflammatory processes in the appendages and genitals;
• Ovarian cyst;
• Adhesions in the pelvic area;
• Bend of the uterus;
• Neoplasm in the form of polyps;
• Adenoids;
• Tumors in the uterus – benign and malignant;
• Endometriosis;
• Varicose veins in the peritoneum;
• Lack of calcium and progesterone in the blood;
• Polyposis;
• Pelvic neuritis.

Painful periods can be the result of medical abortions, long-term use of intrauterine contraception, infections, difficult childbirth, cesarean section, scarring and adhesions of the cervix.

Also, painful menstruation is provoked by mental fatigue, poor diet, frequent stress, hereditary predisposition, laparoscopy, abdominal surgery on the uterine appendages and failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.

Types and degrees of dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is of two types: primary and secondary. Functional primary is not associated with diseases. Menstrual pain begins a year after puberty, during this period the menstrual cycle normalizes and ovulation occurs regularly. Often pain during menstruation subsides significantly after childbirth.

Acquired secondary dysmenorrhea is associated with various diseases of the genital organs and pathological changes in them. It is observed in women 30 years of age and older, and is accompanied by tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, excessive sweating and dizziness.

If the intensity of painful sensations during menstruation does not change over the years, then this type of dysmenorrhea is considered compensated, if the pain increases annually - decompensated.

There are four degrees of dysmenorrhea, differing in the intensity of pain:

• Grade 1 – mild pain that does not require painkillers.
• Grade 2 – pain is moderate and tolerable. Associated symptoms: indigestion, mild depression and headaches. Ailments are eliminated with painkillers.
• Grade 3 – the pain is severe and is accompanied by symptoms: nausea, chills, migraine, dizziness, irritability and general weakness. The duration of illness increases, but painkillers and sedatives improve well-being.
• 4th degree - severe pain appears during menstruation a few days before the start of the cycle and continues until its end. Accompanied by symptoms: fever, severe headaches, tachycardia, heart pain, fainting. The woman becomes unable to work and conventional medications do not improve the condition.

Causes of painful periods

Functional dysmenorrhea occurs as a result of scar formation, adhesions after abortion, pathological location of the uterus, increased excitability and sensitivity of the female body to changes occurring in it. Heredity also plays an important role, and a lack of calcium, magnesium in the body and vitamin deficiency are the cause of severe pain during menstruation.

The cause of dysmenorrhea is also a hormonal imbalance in the body, which causes an increase in the hormone prostaglandin, which increases contractions of the uterus and causes a narrowing of blood vessels.

Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by intrauterine devices, secondary dysmenorrhea occurs as a result of diseases such as ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, uterine fibroids, polyps and cysts in the uterus.

The main cause of pain during menstruation in teenage girls is primary algomenorrhea (painful menstruation). This condition can last three years until the cycle is regulated. At this time, girls experience:

• Insomnia;
• Emotional instability;
• Migraine;
• Asthenia;
• Paleness of the face and body;
• Increased norepinephrine, adrenaline and dopamine in the blood;
• Blueness on the skin;
• Failure of the system that produces hormones;
• Vascular spasms of the extremities;
• Constipation;
• Cardiopalmus.

Other causes of pain during menstruation are: underdevelopment of the uterus, abnormal development of its cavity, causing difficulty in the outflow of blood, cavitary bending (back and forth). With congenital abnormalities in the structure of the fallopian tubes and pathologies of the uterus, the level of serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid increases and women suffer from gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, diarrhea and swelling.

Primary severe pain is not an independent illness, but is a sign of an internal malfunction of the body due to connective tissue dysplasia. Abnormal development of connective tissue, scoliosis, myopia, gastrointestinal dysfunction, flat feet and varicose veins contribute to the development of primary congenital algomenorrhea.

Cause of painful periods in women over 30 years of age

The cause of pain in women over thirty years of age is secondary algomenorrhea, which occurs with moderate or severe severity and is accompanied by aggravating symptoms:

• Heavy menstruation;
• Fainting;
• Decreased performance;
• Rapid heartbeat;
• Bloating;
• Numbness of hands;
• hiccups;
• Dizziness;
• Joint pain;
• Anorexia;
• Itching on the skin;
• Distortion of taste;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Unmotivated weakness;
• Painful sensations in the lower abdomen.

In women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, there is a disruption of the endocrine system and, as the menstrual cycle approaches, instability of the psycho-emotional background, a depressive state, and pain in the uterus during sexual intercourse increase. For such symptoms, consultation with a gynecologist and medical examination is necessary.

How to reduce pain during menstruation

Moderate pain with a regular cycle and normal volume and duration of menstruation can be relieved with some home techniques:

• Abdominal massage - muscle massage is done clockwise to relieve tension and ease spasms. During menstruation, lower back massage can also reduce pain.
• A warm shower relaxes muscles and dilates blood vessels.
• Fetal position - lying on your side with your legs tucked towards your stomach.
• Medicines – No-Spa eliminates spasms in the uterus, Ibuprofen and Ketonal relieve pain, Valerian is a sedative.
• Yoga and physical exercises – bending and rotating the body.
• Compresses – a compress with sea salt reduces pain during menstruation. It is good to take short and relaxing baths with added salt before starting your cycle.
• Soothing tea - made from chamomile and mint with the addition of a small amount of honey. Infusions of parsley and strawberries are effective.
• Essential oil - rub into the sacrum and lower abdomen. The procedure is carried out twice a day, two days before menstruation and in the first days after the start of the cycle. A mixture of essential oils is good for relieving severe pain: 5 drops of yarrow oil, 5 drops of sage oil and 50 ml. St. John's wort oil.
• Ice – reduces severe pain and heavy bleeding. The compress is applied over clothing to the lower abdomen for 10 minutes.

Experts recommend that women engage in swimming, which relaxes muscles and relieves nervous tension. During the procedure, the body intensively produces endorphin - the hormone of joy, a substance with an analgesic effect.

In case of severe pain, it is recommended to consult a doctor to make sure there are no pathologies that progress asymptomatically. In some cases, chronic inflammation and neoplasms do not manifest themselves and a painful symptom is the only sign of trouble.

Pain relief medications

To eliminate pathological pain during menstruation, doctors prescribe antispasmodic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs suppress the production of prostaglandins and reduce uterine contractility.

To eliminate dysmenorrhea, hormonal and low-dose drugs (oral contraceptives) that prevent the production of prostaglandins are also prescribed, as well as herbal remedies containing phytoestrogens that improve hormonal levels and homeopathic drugs (menalgin) of non-hormonal action. Accumulating in the female body, they can influence the regulation of the menstrual cycle, reduce pain and improve the condition of the nervous system.

For treatment, complex preparations containing vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, and plant extracts (Time Factor) are used. Taking medications must begin before the onset of menstruation, so that by the time it occurs, the required dose of medication has accumulated in the body.

Physiotherapy helps reduce pain: electrophoresis, UHF - before menstruation, a special solution is applied to the stomach, for example, novocaine or sodium bromide, and an electrical impulse or ultrasound is applied. In this case, warming occurs together with pain relief.

In order for menstruation to proceed painlessly, you need to give up alcohol during the critical period, avoid nervous stress, do yoga, move more and not catch a cold, do not take foods that cause bloating during these days, and limit your sugar intake.

Doctors do not advise regularly taking painkillers, analgesics and NSAIDs to prevent the body from getting used to it. For primary amenorrhea (absence of menstruation for six months), girls are recommended to:

• Complete a full course of examination, including a pelvic ultrasound;
• Consult with a psychotherapist, neurologist and osteopath;
• Get tested for hormonal status.

With prolonged, spasmodic and excruciating pain, nervousness, irritability, discomfort in the chest area occur, and the usual way of life is disrupted. Such phenomena cannot be ignored; it is necessary to be examined by highly specialized doctors, undergo all tests and promptly establish the true cause of pain during menstruation for the most effective treatment.

Pain in the lower abdomen for most women during menstruation is a normal phenomenon that they encounter every month. The most severe pain during menstruation is felt in the first days, and starting from the third day, its intensity gradually subsides. Menstrual pain is nagging in nature, but the pain syndrome has the form of colic and acute pain in the lower abdomen. This phenomenon is usually called, it most often affects young, nulliparous women, as well as women who are overweight and have harmful addictions.

Dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when a woman’s painful dysregulation is accompanied by a whole range of pathological symptoms, including headaches, nausea, weakness and fatigue. For some women, severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation prevents them from doing household chores and significantly reduces their productivity, so you should know the main reasons that provoke pain and be able to cope with them.

In this article you will learn why your stomach hurts during menstruation, and what to do if the sensations are very strong.

What can hurt and accompanying symptoms

- this is a normal process that occurs in all women of reproductive age every month, starting from puberty and until the onset of menopause, when the reproductive function fades. During menstruation, a woman feels a certain discomfort and there is an additional need to comply with hygiene standards.

Very often, the process of rejection of the inner layer of the uterus is accompanied by menstrual pain, they resemble short-term cramps in the lower abdomen, which disappear on the second day of menstruation.

Both biological and mechanical processes are involved in cleansing the body during regulation. The nervous system sends a signal to the muscles of the genital organs, causing them to spasm. What actually hurts during menstruation is the contracting walls of the uterus, which thus push out the exfoliated endometrium and blood through the vagina. The whole process is controlled by impulses that pass through nerve cells. Pain is felt only when there is insufficient nutrition of the nerve cells, as a result of which they stop the nerve impulses.

Usually, pain begins to be felt on the eve of menstruation, in which case we can talk about the presence of dysmenorrhea. This is the medical name for a condition in which the stomach hurts very much during menstruation. The nature of the pain is usually aching, stabbing or cramping; the woman’s lower abdomen pulls, and the pain can also radiate to the kidney area or lower back. Mild pain is characteristic of menstruation; if it intensifies, you should definitely seek help from a doctor, since they are the only symptom of some dangerous gynecological diseases, including oncology. But even in the absence of obvious causes, severe pain in some cases may require medical treatment.

If the cause of pain during regulation is diseases and infections in the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems, then accompanying symptoms may be observed:

• pain in the back and sacral area;
• heaviness and pain in the lower extremities;
• general weakness and poor health;
• emotional swings, in which aggressiveness and irritability are replaced by complete apathy.

The intensity of pain varies for each woman and depends on the characteristics of the body, its general condition, heredity and the woman’s lifestyle. About 32% of women aged 18 to 25 years experience very severe pain, which has a detrimental effect on performance and disrupts their normal lifestyle. At the age of 25-35, this percentage decreases slightly and amounts to 28%, and at the age of 35-45, almost 40% of the fair sex experience monthly pain. The choice of treatment for this pathology will depend on the type of dysmenorrhea and its severity.

Classification and degrees of deviations

Most often, the stomach hurts severely on the first day of menstruation, and starting from the second day, the pain subsides. If a woman experiences severe pain on the eve of menstruation and accompanies all her menstrual periods, then a diagnosis of dysmenorrhea is made. Depending on the causes of occurrence, two types of pathology are distinguished:

• primary dysmenorrhea or functional. It is diagnosed when the body produces an increased amount of prostaglandins, which cause excessive contraction of the uterine muscles. In this case, painful sensations appear on the eve of menstruation and continue for another 3-4 days. This type of dysmenorrhea is typical for girls 16-25 years old. Associated symptoms include headache, diarrhea and nausea. Since pain in this case is not associated with any pathologies, ultrasound will not show any developmental anomalies or lesions in the pelvic organs. The situation may improve with age or after the birth of a child;
• secondary or acquired algomenorrhea. It appears most often in women after 30 years of age. The cause of such dysmenorrhea can be excessive excitability of the nerve roots during uterine contractions, inflammation and pathology in the organs of the reproductive system, and endometriosis. Painful sensations can also be the body’s reaction to the intrauterine device.

In the case when, over the years, pain during menstruation remains at the same level of intensity, then they are usually called compensated, but if they increase with each cycle, these are decompensated pain.

Depending on the intensity of menstrual pain, there are 4 degrees of dysmenorrhea:

1. Zero degree. The pain is mild, tolerable and does not require painkillers.
2. The first degree is characterized by moderate pain, which is accompanied by depression, digestive system disorders and headaches. You may feel slightly unwell and drowsy, but the woman remains incapacitated and is still physically active. In 40% of women, this stage of algomenorrhea manifests itself from the first menstruation. After childbirth or with age, the situation changes, and until the end of reproductive function, about a quarter of all women live with moderately painful periods. If the pain is at the same level, then no measures need to be taken; 1-2 painkiller tablets are enough in special cases. If they increase, mandatory consultation with a specialist is required.
3. The second degree is severe menstrual pain, accompanied by nausea, chills, dizziness, migraine-like pain, general weakness and irritability. Analgesics and sedatives help correct the situation.
4. The third degree of dysmenorrhea is diagnosed with very severe pain in the lower abdomen, which begins 2 or even 3 days before the regulation, and goes away only with its end. Additionally, the body temperature may rise, severe headaches may occur, which can provoke vomiting, the heart rhythm may become erratic, and heart problems may appear. A woman may faint, lose her ability to work, and ordinary painkillers from the home medicine cabinet cannot cope with the situation. This is a very dangerous degree of algomenorrhea, which can lead to disruption of the menstrual cycle, and even cause infertility. Often at this stage of dysmenorrhea, concomitant diseases of the reproductive system or nearby organs are also diagnosed.

Why does pain occur during menstrual periods?

In adolescents, primary algomenorrhea is most often diagnosed, associated with an abnormal position of the uterus or abnormal development of the reproductive organs. Often, after the first birth, pain during menstruation for women with primary dysmenorrhea ceases to cause discomfort.

If dysmenorrhea occurs after puberty, then it is considered to be secondary; such abdominal pain can be caused by various reasons:

• uterine contractions. This is the main factor that causes severe pain during the regulative period, even during the menstrual cycle, which proceeds without any disturbances. The contraction of the smooth muscles that make up the walls of the uterus is caused by the hormone prostaglandin; the higher its level, the higher the contractility of the uterine muscles. Normally, this hormone is responsible for the timely cleansing of the uterus from exfoliated endometrium, but with its increased concentration, intense muscle contractions cause a woman to feel pain. Not only the intensity, but also the nature of the pain depends on this hormone;
• Critical days are especially painful if a woman has genital diseases. Unbearable pain during regulation occurs with endometriosis, uterine fibrosis and inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system. Pain syndrome can signal an existing disease, or be a consequence of an already eliminated gynecological illness;
• A deficiency of certain microelements can lead to disruptions in the menstrual cycle, resulting in painful periods. In this way, a lack of calcium and magnesium in a woman’s body may occur;
• genetic predisposition. If a woman’s closest relatives suffered from severe menstrual pain, then she too is at risk. Not only pain sensations, but also the pathologies that cause them could be inherited;
• An imbalance of hormones and, as a result, painful periods can be caused by stress and poor nutrition.

If pain during menstruation does not go away even after taking painkillers, they can be triggered by the following factors:

• bending and displacement of the uterus. If these are congenital anomalies, then there is a high probability that the pain will go away after childbirth;
• avitaminosis;
• a sharp drop in progesterone levels;
• cysts and polyps in the ovaries;
• spontaneous abortion;
• emotional overstrain, state of shock;
• adhesions;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• hormonal imbalance caused by an overactive thyroid gland;
• intrauterine device;
• excessive excitability of the nervous system;
• pelvic overload syndrome;
• cervical stenosis;
• recent operations, including abortion, childbirth;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• malignant tumors.

If the pain during the procedure is tolerable and lasts a short period of time, there is no need to panic, but if the pain is severe, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Diagnostics

To determine the exact reason why a woman experiences severe pain during menstruation, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. It must include the following activities:

• an oral survey, during which the gynecologist draws up an overall picture and makes an assumption about the possible cause of menstrual pain;
• gynecological examination in a chair and palpation of the mammary glands;
• Ultrasound examination of the organs of the reproductive system;
• blood tests for hormones;
• a smear for flora and cytology, the latter will help determine the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

In some cases, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy may be necessary, as well as additional consultations with specialists (surgeon, endocrinologist, psychologist, etc.).

When to see a doctor

If the stomach hurts very much during menstruation, this may be one of the signs of serious problems with the woman’s health, and without the help of a gynecologist it will not be possible to eliminate them on your own. You need to see a specialist in the following cases:

• due to the pain, performance decreases so much that the woman is forced to take a day off from work and lie in bed;
• if your period has been going on for 2-3 days, and the pain does not decrease in intensity;
• bleeding has been profuse for more than 2 days, and there are large, dark clots in the discharge;
• if a woman has been systematically taking hormonal contraceptives for a long time, and pain during regulation does not reduce its intensity;
• if painful periods begin to bother a mature woman;
• if painkillers and antispasmodics are not able to calm the pain;
• if the intensity of bleeding during regulation only increases;
• when, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, there is a headache, nausea and diarrhea;
• the menstrual cycle is disrupted;
• the woman lost weight dramatically.

If you have the symptoms listed above, you should immediately seek help from a specialist who, after a comprehensive diagnosis, will be able to determine the cause of the pain and prescribe the correct treatment.

Ways to reduce pain

Experts say that any pain cannot be tolerated, because it not only has a detrimental effect on the emotional state, but can harm both physical and mental health. If a woman experiences severe pain during regulation, first of all it is recommended that she consult a gynecologist, but if this is not possible, there are some ways to help with pain during regulation:

• Thermal procedures perfectly relieve muscle spasms, but they cannot be used in inflammatory or purulent processes, as well as in inflammation of appendicitis. If you do not know the exact cause of severe menstrual pain, then there is no need to experiment with warming procedures. If the cause is muscle spasm, then warm water will be the best help. It is applied to the lower abdomen for a quarter of an hour, but no more than twice a day. A more gentle method of warming up is to apply a warm diaper, which is ironed on several sides;
• water procedures. A hot bath is relaxing, but during regular periods it is better to replace it with a short warm shower. This procedure will eliminate fatigue and relieve pain, while you can additionally massage your stomach with a washcloth to relax the muscles and ease the spasm;
• you can make a compress with sea salt and apply it to the lower abdomen, this will remove pain during regulation;
• massage using a warm mala containing warming additives or essential oils, which are preheated in a water bath to body temperature. Essential oils of saffron, bergamot and grapefruit relieve spasms, but you can replace them with regular baby massage oil. Before massage, be sure to measure the heating temperature of the oil to prevent thermal burn of the massaged area. Massage movements along the abdomen and lower back should be done clockwise, this will reduce pressure on the abdominal cavity. If a woman does not have allergies, then you can rub a composition of essential oils into the lower abdomen and lower back throughout the entire period, which includes 4 drops of clary sage oil, 5 drops of marjoram and yarrow oil and 50 ml of St. John's wort oil;
• if painful periods are caused by dehydration, which often accompanies heavy menstrual blood loss, then the treatment is simply to normalize the drinking regime. If there is a lack of fluid in the body, pain in the lower abdomen will be dull or sharp, but in no case cramp-like. Typically, pain of this kind is not too intense, but it may well cause discomfort for women with a low pain threshold. You can replenish the lack of fluid with spring water, still mineral water, teas and herbal infusions, berry compotes and dried fruit decoctions. You can drink fresh fruit, but it is better not to drink alcohol, strong tea, coffee and cocoa;
• It is useful not only throughout the entire cycle, but also during regular periods to engage in not too intense physical activity, which improves tone and eliminates spasms - Pilates, gymnastics, yoga, morning exercises and swimming;
• some experts recommend applying an ice pack to the lower abdomen, but for no more than 10-15 minutes; this advice is not supported by all gynecologists, so before using it, you should consult with your doctor;
• Physiotherapeutic procedures – electrophoresis, acupuncture, auto-training, psychological therapy, etc. – can cope with menstrual pain;
• you need to improve your psycho-emotional state, relax, for this you can read a book or watch an interesting film, go to the cinema or spend time in the company of a loved one. Positive emotions can reduce the intensity of pain;
• assume the fetal position. This position relieves spasms and relaxes the muscles. For a positive effect, a woman needs to lie on her side, pull her legs up to her chest and lie down, or better yet, sleep.

In especially severe cases, treatment of pain during menstrual periods cannot be done without medications.

Drugs

In some cases, in order to cope with pain during regulation, the doctor prescribes it to the woman. Medicines from several groups with different mechanisms of action are usually prescribed:

• gestagens;
• hormonal contraceptives in tablet form;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The first group of drugs affects secretory changes in the mucous layer of the uterus, but does not affect ovulatory function. Progesterone and testosterone are actively used. These artificial hormones reduce uterine tone and the amount of prostaglandins produced, and reduce the excitability of the nerve roots located in the uterine muscles.

The use of hormonal contraceptives has a beneficial effect on a woman’s hormonal levels and normalizes her menstrual cycle. Birth control pills suppress ovulatory function, reduce the intensity of menstruation, and suppress nervous excitability and uterine tone. Therefore, with systematic use of oral contraception, menstrual pain is significantly reduced. Progestins and oral contraceptives have a long-lasting effect.

If women have a contraindication or excessive sensitivity to hormonal drugs, for menstrual pain, the doctor may prescribe non-steroidal drugs that reduce the level of prostaglandins, but the effect of their use will be observed for 2-6 hours. This group of drugs includes Mig, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Nimesil, Ibuprofen, Nurofen Express, Next, Ibufen.

• antispasmodics. They weaken spasms of smooth muscles and blood vessels. The most famous medicines from this group are Drotoverine. To relieve spasms, it is enough to take 1 tablet; you can repeat the dose 2-3 times a day. You can also use intramuscular injections, they relieve pain faster. The antispasmodic Papaverine has a milder effect; it is produced in the form of rectal suppositories. It must be placed in 1-2 candles for 3-5 days, it has a cumulative effect, so you should not expect a lightning-fast effect;
• if, in addition to pain, there are other unpleasant symptoms, experts recommend using complex-action drugs that not only relieve pain, but also eliminate spasm and inflammation. Pentalgin also belongs to this group of drugs;
• if pain during regulation provokes overexcitation of the nervous system, sedatives may be prescribed (Persen, Fitosed).

It is worth mentioning separately about the well-known Analgin. These tablets were previously used to relieve any pain. Most women still use it for menstrual pain, although Analgin has too many side effects, which are eliminated in modern analogues. Since this drug can cause bleeding and reduce the production of white blood cells, it should only be used if other medications are ineffective. For mild pain, you can use Paracetamol; women choose this medication because of its rapid action, although for severe pain it is useless.

Any medication whose action is aimed at eliminating pain has a number of contraindications and side effects, so it should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, based on the diagnosis and general health of the patient.

Help from folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that can soothe menstrual pain; they can be easily prepared at home. It is important to remember that taking any medicine from alternative medicine should be agreed with your doctor.

Let's talk about the most effective folk recipes to help cope with menstrual pain:

• ginger tea. Ginger root contains many phytoncides, esters and glycosides that can relieve pain and have an antibacterial effect. To prepare tea, you need to take 1 teaspoon of grated, fresh or half a dry ginger root, pour boiling water, add a pinch of cinnamon and leave for 6-7 minutes. The drink can be supplemented with a lemon balm leaf, a slice of lemon or sweetened with sugar. A woman will be able to feel the effect of tea within half an hour. This recipe is not suitable for women with acute diseases of the digestive system and blood diseases. Ginger tea should also not be drunk during heavy periods;
• mint tea with lemon balm. This herbal mixture has a pronounced analgesic effect. To prepare the drink, mix 2 g of dry or fresh peppermint and lemon balm leaves, add 4-5 drops of lemongrass oil and pour a glass of boiling water. Tea is brewed for 6-7 minutes. Schisandra can be replaced with 5 g of orange, lemon or other citrus zest. Drink tea daily until the regulation is complete. It can serve as a prophylactic; for this purpose it is taken daily in the morning and a couple of hours before bedtime;
• chamomile tea with raspberries. In this recipe, it is raspberries that are used, and not leaves, since the latter, on the contrary, help to strengthen uterine contractions. A tablespoon of pharmaceutical chamomile poured into a glass of boiling water, to which 15 g of dried raspberries is added, will help eliminate muscle spasms in the uterus and thereby relieve pain. The drink is infused for 10 minutes, then a little cinnamon and honey are added. This tea will not only soothe and relieve spasms, but will also have a general strengthening effect on the female body;
• Herbal decoctions with horsetail and bearberry will help get rid of pain, but have a diuretic effect. You need to drink this drug before your period;
• Tea with catnip will help calm and relax the uterine muscles;
• An infusion of oregano will help get rid of cramps not only in the uterus, but also in the intestines, this significantly alleviates a woman’s condition during her period. A spoonful of dry raw materials is poured into a glass of boiled water and infused for some time, taken three times a day before meals;
• A decoction of viburnum bark shows good effectiveness in the fight against menstrual pain. 4 tsp. dry bark, add 0.25 liters of water and boil for half an hour. Drink a tablespoon before meals;
• Strawberries also work well.

Physical exercise

Experts have developed a whole range of physical exercises that allow you, without the use of medications, to get rid of not only severe menstrual pain, but also the accompanying symptoms. The following exercises can be performed every day for prevention and during menstruation to relieve pain:

• lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet on the floor. Hands are placed along the body with palms facing the floor. On a short exhalation, a smooth deflection of the abdomen is made for several minutes. The muscles completely relax. Repeat 4 times;
• you need to lie on your back with your buttocks positioned as close as possible to the wall, and your legs raised up perpendicular to the floor, then your legs bend at the knees. You need to stay in this position for 4-5 minutes;
• You need to lie on your back, straighten your legs, pull one leg up to your chin, and leave the other on the floor. You need to spend 2-3 minutes in this position, and then do the exercise on the other leg;
• you need to get on all fours and lean your elbows on the floor, you need to hold your head between your hands. You need to stay in this pose for 2-3 minutes. A similar exercise can be done lying on your back;
• You need to lie face down on the floor, bring your feet together and strain your knees. As you exhale, the body rises, the head is thrown back and the buttocks contract. You need to stay in this position for half a minute. As you exhale, return to the starting position.

These exercises are suitable for those who are contraindicated for drug treatment, but they should be performed only as prescribed by a doctor in cases where a woman has a spinal disorder and is diagnosed with arterial hypertension.

Prevention

To avoid having to treat dysmenorrhea, it is better to initially follow simple preventive recommendations:

• do not drink alcohol, especially during menstruation;
• quit smoking;
• avoid hypothermia, overheating and any stressful situations for the body;
• do not eat junk food, spicy and very hot dishes, drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day;
• consume fermented milk products rich in calcium (yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir) every day;
• have an active sex life. This helps normalize blood circulation and relaxes the muscles of the genital organs;
• you should move more, walk in the fresh air, if possible, do yoga, swimming or gymnastics;
• daily baths with sea salt, alternating with cold showers, will help improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
• consume vitamin complexes containing calcium and magnesium;
• remove from the diet foods that cause fermentation and bloating;
• You should regularly visit a gynecologist at least once a year, and if you experience any unpleasant symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help.

A bar of chocolate, which contains calcium and magnesium and stimulates the production of endorphin, the hormone of happiness, will help improve your mood during menstruation.