If you're one of the many women who experience lower back pain during your menstrual cycle, you're not alone. This is a common symptom that affects many women, but the cause of the pain is often misunderstood. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why you may experience lower back pain during your period and discuss some effective ways to alleviate the discomfort. So, let's get started!
Probable reasons for back pain during your period:
What causes it?
Prostaglandins
Prostaglandins are hormones that are released by the lining of the uterus during menstruation. These hormones are responsible for causing the uterus to contract and shed its lining.
However, prostaglandins can also cause pain and inflammation in the surrounding tissues, including the lower back. The pain can be particularly severe if the levels of prostaglandins are high. If you experience particularly painful periods you may have higher levels of prostaglandins than those who do not.
PMS
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms commonly occur within the week before your period and stop once your period starts. For some people, severe lower back pain is a frequent symptom. This may be related to increased inflammation during menstruation.
PMDD
PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) is a more severe condition than PMS. It’s characterized by severe PMS symptoms that can interfere with your daily life, including work, school, and personal relationships. Like PMS, an increase in inflammation can be a cause of severe lower back pain in PMDD.
While some lower back pain is normal during your period, severe and constant lower back pain can indicate a more serious issue, such as endometriosis. Back pain from endometriosis might feel different from back pain from PMS or PMDD.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is a condition characterized by painful period cramps. With dysmenorrhea, the uterus contracts more than normal, leading to severe and sometimes debilitating cramps.
Symptoms of dysmenorrhea include:
abdominal cramping
lower back pain
pain radiating down the legs
nausea or vomiting
diarrhoea
headaches or lightheadedness
Period cramps from dysmenorrhea can radiate throughout the entire lower and upper back.
Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus, and some become quite large. They cause intense pain, including back pain, during periods. While they could go away without treatment, a doctor could recommend surgery to remove them.
Adenomyosis
Is when tissues that line the uterus grow into the muscles of the uterus.
A person with adenomyosis may experience:
painful periods
pain during sex
bleeding between periods
Hormone therapy, surgery — and, in severe cases, removal of the uterus — can treat this condition.
Back conditions and injuries
For some people with back problems, symptoms get worse before or during their periods. This may be because the prostaglandins that accumulate in the uterus release inflammatory chemicals that can make back pain worse. Treatment depends on the person’s overall health and the specific back condition, some people find that exercise or physical therapy help.
How can I manage the pain?
If you experience lower back pain during your menstrual cycle, there are several things that you can do to alleviate the discomfort. These include:
Applying heat to the affected area. Heat can help to relax the muscles and alleviate pain. You can use a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or take a warm bath.
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
Engaging in gentle exercise. Gentle exercises such as walking or yoga can help to alleviate pain and tension in the lower back.
Practising good posture. Maintaining good posture can help to alleviate strain on the lower back muscles.
Getting plenty of rest. Resting and avoiding strenuous activity can help to alleviate pain and promote healing.
When to see a doctor
If your lower back pain is so severe that you’re unable to perform daily activities, you need to see your doctor. They might perform a variety of tests to see whether you have endometriosis or another condition causing your severe pain. Even if there’s no underlying condition, you and your doctor can discuss both medical and at-home treatment methods to reduce the pain.
In conclusion
Lower back pain during menstruation is a common symptom that can be attributed to various factors. If you experience severe or chronic pain during your menstrual cycle, it is important to speak with your doctor. However, in most cases, the pain can be alleviated through home remedies such as heat therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers, gentle exercise, good posture, and rest.
Stay informed, stay in control Do you experience lower back pain around the time of your period?