Causes of pain during menstruation, what to do if they occur. Effective ways to eliminate discomfort and pain during menstruation Severe pain in the abdomen during menstruation

Most often, painful periods are primary dysmenorrhea, that is, discomfort does not arise due to illness, but by itself. If you are healthy, but you are in pain, then prostaglandins are to blame for the malaise - 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 to quickly remove blood and endometrium.

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

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

What other causes 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:

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

With painful periods, any of these diseases can join the increased production of prostaglandins. Therefore, if the pain has become stronger than usual, lasts longer than three days, the cycle has broken, unusual discharge has appeared, or consult a doctor with these symptoms.

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

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

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

If, upon examination, the doctor does not find anything, and the pain during menstruation is severe, does not go away with bleeding, and the prescribed treatment does not help, then a diagnostic 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 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.

It makes no sense to immediately rush for funds with a complex composition. Ordinary ibuprofen may help. There are also stronger drugs - indomethacin, ketoprofen. All drugs have contraindications. Women who have stomach problems should 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 orals create an artificial menstrual cycle with their own hormonal levels. At the same time, the endometrium becomes thinner so that a fertilized egg cannot attach to it. And since this layer is thinner, then there are fewer prostaglandins in it. Therefore, contraceptive pills are often prescribed for painful periods. Painful menstrual periods.

If the doctor advises pills, try to choose modern drugs with minimal side effects and check if you have any contraindications.

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

Than to be treated, except for tablets?

There are methods that help to 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 in turn, focus on your own state and listen to the sensations.

Warm. The best option is to get under the covers and sit with a mug of hot tea, you can even apply a heating pad to the lower abdomen, but this is not always possible. If you need to get out of the house and do business, dress warmly. Choose clothes that do not create discomfort in the abdomen: tight jeans and belts that cut into the body will wait a few days. The warm shower also works.
Sport. You need to go in for sports for prevention, and when it becomes difficult, do light exercises for muscles and stretching.
Acupuncture. There is no evidence that such alternative medicine works. But at least the procedures distract from the pain.
Relaxing massage. It distracts from unpleasant sensations and is generally useful for the body and mind, which also needs to rest sometimes. Massage the abdomen, stroking it clockwise in the area where the pain is felt.
Comfortable posture. If it is possible to lie down, then try to raise your legs higher or lie on your side with your knees bent.
To give up smoking. Quit for good, not just for the days when you feel pain.
Vitamins and trace elements. 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 have your period. Although there are surgeries Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) which destroy the nerves in the uterus. The effectiveness of such treatment is low, but there are risks.

Will the pain decrease after childbirth?

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

Some women notice that the pain decreases with age and after childbirth, but not everyone can count on it. Perhaps the pain will remain with you until the menopause.

Update: December 2018

Moderate pain during menstruation occurs in about 70% of girls and women of childbearing age. The pain syndrome that accompanies menstruation can be of varying intensity. Unsharply pronounced pain, only slight discomfort, especially in nulliparous women, is considered a normal physiological phenomenon.

However, if every month a woman experiences unbearable, severe pain during menstruation, accompanied by diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, vomiting and other symptoms that make the woman unable to work, there really are obvious “critical days” - this is usually referred to in medicine as a disease of algomenorrhea. Such symptoms indicate that a young woman has various disorders in the hormonal, vascular, sexual, nervous or other systems of the body.

If the causes of painful periods are established, then the treatment of these disorders can significantly alleviate the condition, improve the tolerance of such a natural process in a woman's body as menstruation. In this article, we will tell you why girls and women experience painful periods, the causes and treatment of such a disorder.

What other symptoms can accompany painful periods and why is it considered a disease?

In medicine, very painful periods are considered as the most common menstrual disorders. Between the ages of 13 and 45, almost all women experience mild discomfort and soreness on the first day of their menstrual bleeding. And only 10% of them complain of very strong cramping spastic pains from uterine contractions, which are also supplemented by the following symptoms:

79% of women experience diarrhea
84% vomit
13% headache
23% dizzy
16% fainting

The main symptom of algomenorrhea is pain in the lower abdomen, which appears on the 1st day of menstruation or 12 hours before it begins, it gradually subsides by 2-3 days, it can be aching, twitching, stabbing, radiating to the rectum, bladder, also Maybe . Against the background of unbearable pain during menstruation, a woman's psycho-emotional state is disturbed, irritability, drowsiness, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and weakness appear. Painful periods poison a woman's life, the expectation of another bleeding adversely affects the psyche, the emotional sphere of life, leads to conflicts in the family, at work.

With a mild degree of algomenorrhea - short-term, moderate pain during menstruation does not lead to loss of working capacity and activity, such pain can be tolerated without additional painkillers, however, the causes of painful periods should be clarified, since even a mild degree of algomenorrhea can become more pronounced in the future, with more severe discomfort. Sometimes, after childbirth, a mild degree of algomenorrhea stops in women and uterine contractions become not so painful, its increase during pregnancy and contraction after pregnancy further weakens spastic pain during menstruation.

With an average degree - pulling pains in the lower abdomen are complemented by general weakness, nausea, chills, and frequent urination. Psycho-emotional disorders also join - depression, irritability, intolerance to pungent odors and sounds, performance is noticeably reduced. This degree of algomenorrhea already needs medical correction, and the causes of pain should also be clarified.

In severe cases, very intense pain in the lower back and abdomen is accompanied by headache, general weakness, fever, pain in the heart, diarrhea, fainting, vomiting. In a severe case of painful menstruation, a woman completely loses her ability to work, usually their occurrence is associated either with infectious and inflammatory diseases or with congenital pathologies of the genital organs.

The main causes of primary painful menstruation in adolescent girls

Primary algomenorrhea appears with the first menstruation or develops within 3 years after the onset of menstruation. It mostly happens in easily excitable, emotionally unstable girls, with an asthenic physique, in combination with. Depending on the accompanying "set" of symptoms, primary painful periods are divided into:

Adrenergic type

In this case, the level of the hormones dopamine, adrenaline, norepinephrine rises, provoking a failure of the entire hormonal system of the body. Girls develop constipation, severe headache, body temperature rises, heart rate increases, insomnia appears, legs and arms become bluish in color with spasm of small vessels, the body and face turn pale.

Parasympathetic type

It is characterized by an increase in the level of the hormone serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid. In girls, on the contrary, the heart rate decreases, nausea with vomiting appears, body temperature decreases, gastrointestinal disorders are expressed by diarrhea, swelling of the limbs and face often appears, allergic reactions on the skin, girls gain weight.

Modern research establishes the fact that primary painful menstruation is not an independent disease, but a manifestation of deeper internal disorders, that is, symptoms of the following diseases or abnormalities:

Congenital malformations of connective tissue development

In gynecological practice, it has long been established that approximately 60% of girls with primary algomenorrhea are diagnosed with genetically determined connective tissue dysplasia. In addition to painful periods, this disease is expressed by flat feet, scoliosis, myopia, and dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

This is a very serious disease that occurs more often in girls with elongated limbs, flexible joints, cartilaginous tissues, most often magnesium deficiency is detected during the growth of the child, which can be established by passing a biochemical blood test.

Diseases of the nervous system, neurological disorders

In girls with signs of a reduced pain threshold, with emotional instability, with various psychoses, neuroses and other neurological disorders, pain perception is exacerbated, so the pain during menstruation in such patients is pronounced.

Bends of the uterus anteriorly and posteriorly, underdevelopment of the uterus, malformations of its development - bicornuate, two-cavity uterus

The occurrence of very painful periods, due to abnormalities in the development of the uterus, is due to a problematic, difficult outflow of blood during menstruation from the uterine cavity. This provokes additional uterine contractions, causing pain during menstruation.

Causes of secondary algomenorrhea in women

If pain during menstruation occurs in a woman who already has children, or she is over 30 years old, then this is considered as secondary algomenorrhea. Today, every third woman has it, most often in a moderate form, since it reduces performance and is aggravated by concomitant symptoms, and is also accompanied by heavy menstruation. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen, painful periods occur with other symptoms, which are usually divided into several characteristic groups:

Vegetative symptoms - bloating, vomiting, nausea, hiccups
Vegetative-vascular symptoms - dizziness, legs, fainting, heart palpitations, headaches during menstruation
Psycho-emotional manifestations - taste disturbance, odor perception, increased irritability, anorexia, depression
Endocrine-metabolic symptoms - increased unmotivated weakness, joint pain, itching of the skin, vomiting

The intensity of pain during menstruation depends on the general health of the woman, on age and concomitant diseases. If the patient has a metabolic disorder (and other disorders of the endocrine system), then endocrine-metabolic manifestations are added to additional symptoms during menstruation, with violations of the cardiovascular system, vegetative-vascular symptoms may be more pronounced, with the approach of premenopause in women (see. ), increases the likelihood of psycho-emotional instability, depressive symptoms.

Often, women with secondary algomenorrhea occur, which definitely cannot be ignored, and this is an urgent reason for contacting a gynecologist for examination and treatment. If primary painful periods, the causes of which are associated with congenital anomalies and pathologies, are very difficult to treat, then the occurrence of secondary algomenorrhea is mainly associated with acquired diseases of the female genital organs, the treatment of which must be carried out without fail, these are:

infectious - inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs and the accompanying adhesive process in the small pelvis
malignant and benign (polyps) tumors of the uterus and appendages
varicose veins in the abdominal cavity, in the pelvic organs
pelvic neuritis

Also, in women over 30 years old, the appearance of very severe pain during menstruation can be caused by the following reasons, provoking factors:

means of intrauterine contraception
, other intrauterine interventions, due to cicatricial narrowing of the cervix
adnexal surgery, birth complications, or complications after caesarean section
mental and physical overwork, constant stress, violation of the regime of rest and work

Why should painful periods be treated?

Given the above, it should be understood that the natural physiological function - menstruation, should not cause significant general malaise in a woman, depriving her of working capacity. In order to reduce the pain of menstruation, treatment should not consist in pain relief, but in eliminating the cause of this phenomenon. Of course, it is possible to hope that this will change, for example, with the birth of a child, but if this does not happen, especially if painful periods occur in a woman after the birth of children, you should contact a gynecologist to find out the cause of pain during menstruation.

To endure pain is not only physically difficult, but also very harmful to the nervous system, and the regular use of NSAIDs and analgesics does not eliminate the cause of painful periods, moreover, the body gets used to them and painkillers have a number of side effects.
The appearance of very painful periods is an indicator that some kind of failure is occurring in the body, a disease, this is a wake-up call to the fact that it is imperative to find the cause of the body's inadequate response to the natural process.

Painful periods can and should be treated. Read more about that in our next article. To determine the cause of the primary algomenorrhea, a gynecologist is examined, tests for hormonal status, ultrasound of the pelvic organs are taken, and the girl should also be examined by a neurologist, osteopath, and psychotherapist. With secondary algomenorrhea, a hormonal examination, ultrasound, diagnostic laparoscopy, and diagnostic curettage are also performed.

A woman or girl with painful periods should keep a diary of observations, a menstrual calendar, in which she describes in detail the sensations, the number of discharges, the duration of the cycle and the duration of bleeding, all the symptoms that occur during menstruation, in order to then help the doctor determine the cause and choose the method of therapy.

Minasyan Margarita

Approximately 70% of the female half of the population experience pain during menstruation. In each individual case, discomfort has a different intensity and accompanying symptoms. The article will help you understand in which cases discomfort is considered the norm, and when diagnostics and subsequent treatment are necessary.

Dysmenorrhea

Characterized by dysmenorrhea (algodysmenorrhea, algomenorrhea) painful menstruation, which may be present all day or the entire period of menstruation. In some patients, malaise begins a few days before menstruation, but is not a symptom of PMS.

The risk group is girls and women aged 13 to 45 years. Due to the individual characteristics of the organism, sensations manifest themselves in different ways. By their localization and additional symptoms, the cause of the violation can be identified. But treatment is selected only after a comprehensive examination.

It is important to contact specialists in a timely manner, because painful contractions in the lower abdomen, tingling of the lower back can indicate serious gynecological diseases. And such violations are easier to eliminate in the early stages of development.

Classification of dysmenorrhea

There are two forms of the disease: primary (functional) and secondary (acquired). If the functional form of the disorder is almost never associated with gynecological pathologies, then acquired dysmenorrhea indicates negative changes in the pelvic organs and diseases not only of the reproductive system, but also of other organs.

primary form

Pain syndrome is noted in a teenager girl in the first three years of the formation of the menstrual cycle. Painful periods are inherently not dangerous and do not indicate an independent gynecological disease.

Primary algomenorrhea does not always occur with the first menstruation. Sometimes severe symptoms begin to appear only with the onset of ovulatory cycles. These sensations do not affect performance and do not cause much concern. The following clinical picture is noted:

menstruation is normal (slight delays);
the pains are weak, most often aching, but not cutting;
no need to take painkillers;
no additional symptoms.

Among the causes of pain during menstruation in primary dysmenorrhea, it is worth highlighting:

anomalies in the development of the genital organs;
hormonal imbalance;
increased production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes;
neurological disorders.

With menstruation, severe pain is not the only complaint of patients with functional algomenorrhea. Other problems complete the picture:

mitral valve prolapse;
vegetative-vascular dystonia;
myopia;
scoliosis;
flat feet.

secondary form

The diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhea is most often made by women aged 25-30 years, when the onset of a symptom during critical days is provoked by diseases or pathological changes in the structure of the organs of the reproductive system.

In most cases, nulliparous women or girls who have terminated their pregnancy several times are at risk. But after childbirth, the situation often improves, and problems with menstruation go away on their own.

Acquired dysmenorrhea is characterized by the following features:

Aching pain before menstruation, almost not felt.
The maximum intensity falls on the second or third day of the cycle.
Spasms are noted systematically, the stomach is missing.
Suddenly begins to pull and whine during physical exertion.

Additional symptoms include:

general weakness and dizziness;
nausea and vomiting;
liquid stool;
problems with heart rhythm;
increased sweating;
pain in the joints and muscles of the whole body;
psycho-emotional problems;
elevated body temperature;
scanty or heavy periods.

If, over the years, minor discomfort turns into very painful menstruation, then the disease is called decompensated. With a stable clinical picture (pain with the same intensity), dysmenorrhea is compensated.

When pain during menstruation is not dangerous

Pain is considered a normal physiological phenomenon in the following situations:

the formation of the female cycle (1-2 years after the first bleeding);
single painful sensations (several days not in every month);
discomfort caused by external factors.

Among the relatively benign causes of pain during menstruation are:

malnutrition (lack of vitamins);
great physical activity;
emotional overstrain;
decreased tone of the uterine muscles;
inactive lifestyle;
postpartum recovery.

Pain often goes away if a woman improves her diet, avoids stressful situations and begins to play sports. But still, the usual gynecological examination and ultrasound will not interfere. Because systematic stress, constant fatigue often become the basis for the development of hormonal disruptions.

Intensity and nature of pain

Unpleasant sensations can be localized anywhere. It often hurts in the abdomen, gives to the perineal area, the back area and organs that are located in the small pelvis. By the nature of the pain are:

aching;
stabbing;
jerking;
cutting;
sharp;
cramping.

Women choose different words to describe their feelings. If for someone the pain during menstruation is hellish, unbearable, terrible, wildest, then others, due to the high pain threshold, note only minor cramps and tingling.

According to these sensations, it is very difficult to independently determine the cause that caused the pain syndrome, so it is better to visit a gynecologist.

Degrees of dysmenorrhea

Before deciding what to do with painful periods, you need to accurately determine the severity of algomenorrhea:

Zero. Discomfort is not pronounced, does not interfere with daily activities, light physical exertion. It is noted only in the first days of the cycle.
Light. There are slight contractions that radiate to the stomach and lower back. There are accompanying symptoms in the form of depression, indigestion. Sometimes painkillers are needed, but in small quantities.
Average. The main symptom is a decrease in daily activities and pain relief at home with the help of pills. The condition is sometimes accompanied by weakness, chills, emotional instability.
Heavy. Painkillers no longer help. The situation is aggravated even before menstruation. During the discharge, in addition to severe pain, vomiting occurs, and loss of consciousness is also possible. In rare cases, urgent hospitalization is required.

In most cases, the ailments that caused dysmenorrhea worsen, so the pain becomes stronger. With a zero and mild degree of pathology, they are absent or are at the initial stage of development. Moderate and severe degrees indicate more serious violations in the work of the genital organs.

When to See a Doctor

Over time, stronger discomfort may begin. In this case, you should definitely contact a gynecologist. Especially if the following symptoms are present:

soreness begins before menstruation;
the duration of discomfort increases;
there is a cramping nature of pain;
discomfort spreads to other organs (ovaries, bladder);
symptoms are noted in each cycle;
body temperature rises.

After taking painkillers, it should become easier, but only for a while. Menstrual pain will continue to interfere with a normal life and work. Therefore, it is in the interests of the woman herself to seek medical help so that the situation does not worsen.

Diagnostics

Only by the pain, the nature of the discharge and the accompanying symptoms is it difficult to make a diagnosis on your own. Therefore, a woman needs to go to the hospital, tell the doctor what she drank and describe her problems.

After a gynecological examination, the specialist will prescribe:

general blood test and hormones;
Analysis of urine;
smears;
dopplerography of vessels.

Usually still required to visit:

neuropathologist;
endocrinologist;
vascular surgeon.

Sick women are afraid of such a diagnosis. But the more complete the picture of analyzes and examinations, the more likely it is to give an accurate explanation of the ongoing processes.

What causes dysmenorrhea

Causes of severe pain during menstruation:

problems with hormones;
insufficiency of the luteal phase;
endometriosis;
uterine fibroids;
use of an intrauterine device;
a consequence of abortion;
inflammation of the uterus and its appendages;
infectious disease of the reproductive system;
salpingitis;
endometritis;
adhesions;
phlebeurysm;
traumatic rupture of the uterine ligaments;
anomaly in the position of the uterus;
genital tuberculosis.

How to fix the problem

The treatment of painful periods is based on the causes that provoked discomfort at the beginning of the cycle. Without eliminating the disease, the pain syndrome can be temporarily drowned out with pills, but it will definitely return next month with renewed vigor.

You can reduce pain by taking:

antispasmodics;
analgesics;
NSAIDs.

If doctors have established that discomfort is a consequence of hormonal failure, then the woman needs to undergo drug correction:

Light, medium degree - Duphaston, Utrozhestan.
Severe degree - Lindinet 20.

Read about how it goes in one of our articles.

But hormones should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.

Similar problems are also treated with physiotherapeutic methods, after which the restorative-compensatory functions of the body are accelerated:

nitrogen, coniferous baths;
brain galvanization;
ultratonotherapy;
electrical stimulation of the cervix;
heliotherapy.

Physiotherapy is contraindicated if the patient has pain due to inflammatory processes, neoplasms and other diseases of the genital organs.

These women are allowed:

classical massage;
acupuncture;
can therapy;
applicator Kuznetsov;
SPA treatments.

Additional measures:

gymnastics;
physical exercise;
taking vitamin complexes;
traditional medicine recipes.

Terrible and wild pain, tingling and spasms require special injections to alleviate the condition. Most likely, the woman is hospitalized for diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Elimination of pain in accordance with the day of menstruation

In most situations, discomfort occurs only on the first day of menstruation. In severe cases, discomfort begins even before menstruation, and stops a few days after the end of monthly bleeding. And here you can not do without medical help.

But at home, girls need to know what to do with severe pain during menstruation on the first day. You need to act according to the type of sensations and their intensity.

Able to help:

painkillers (no more than three tablets);
heating pad on the lower abdomen;
sedatives;
bed rest (it is better not to walk at all);
relaxing massage;
herbal tincture based on melissa and mint;
room ventilation.

If, during menstruation, cramping pains do not go away after such actions, then it is better to consult a gynecologist. It is not excluded the occurrence of pain shock, which is dangerous for the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Shock can occur abruptly and against the background of severe bleeding. Well, if a woman immediately asked for help. Indeed, in the opposite situation, there is a serious threat to life.

Prevention

To prevent and , you must:

timely visit a gynecologist;
several times a year to be checked for infectious diseases;
do not use an intrauterine device;
avoid mechanical damage to the uterine mucosa (abortion).

According to the reviews of women, it is clear that the main rule for preventing dysmenorrhea is a healthy lifestyle:

complete rest;
optimal daily routine;
active walks in the fresh air (at least two hours a day);
swimming, aerobics;
protected sex;
special diets;
drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day;
giving up cigarettes and alcohol;
exclusion of stressful situations;
herbal tea and aromatherapy.

There are many reasons for aching, grasping, sharp pains against the background of regulation. It is necessary to eliminate the violation, and not stop the pain. Therefore, do an examination in the hospital to get the advice of a specialist. It is they who will help get rid of severe pain during menstruation and prevent their occurrence in the future.

Anna Mironova

Reading time: 14 minutes

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Many women are familiar with such symptoms of impending or onset menstruation as soreness in the chest area, bad mood, loss of strength, irritability and pain in the lower abdomen. Usually these days the work is not going well, and the mood is such that even household members try to catch the eye less often.

What experts say about painful periods, and how to relieve this pain ?

Why does the stomach hurt during menstruation - the main causes of pain during menstruation

Every woman (with rare exceptions) experiences before or during menstruation least discomfort. The main complaint is abdominal pain.

Why is this happening?

First of all, don't panic : if there are no accompanying "signals", and menstruation is not knocked out of the framework outlined by doctors, then there is nothing to worry about. The natural physiological process (monthly rejection and release of the inner layer of the uterus, which, when contracting, causes pain) does not require an urgent visit to the doctors.

Painful periods have a name - algomenorrhea:

Primary algomenorrhea. Increased contractile activity of the myometrium by tissue hormones and, as a result, cramping pain and vasospasm. It is characteristic of women 16-25 years old. Symptoms include nausea, headaches, upset stools and soreness in the lower abdomen a day or two before menstruation and in the first two days of menstruation. Pathological changes in the pelvic organs are not observed. Typically, the level of soreness decreases after childbirth and with age.
Secondary algomenorrhea. In this case, there are any pathologies of the pelvic organs, and the pain becomes a symptom of anatomical changes in the uterus.

TO causes of painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), not associated with diseases of the female reproductive system, include:

Sex hormone imbalance (progesterone, which promotes uterine contraction, and prostaglandin, the excess of which increases the force of contraction of the uterine muscles), excessive thyroid activity.
Intrauterine device and other contraceptives.
High sensitivity to changes in the body.
An ill-positioned uterus.
Excitability of the nervous system.
Pain as a result of childbirth or.
Lack of proper physical activity.
Heredity.
Calcium or magnesium deficiency.
Wrong nutrition. Read also:

If the pain during menstruation is of a short-term nature, the level of pain is tolerable, and daily activities do not have to be postponed, then everything is fine, and there is no reason to panic .

10 best recipes - how to get rid of pain during menstruation

Traditional folk methods can help reduce the level of pain during menstruation (provided there are no serious problems with women's health):

Dry heat, massage and relaxation
Heat will help relax the uterus and reduce the force of its contractions, a gentle massage of the abdomen (strictly clockwise) will relax the muscles.
Painkiller
1-2 tablets of no-shpy will help relieve spasms. With severe pain, ibuprofen, spasmalgon or ketonal will help to cope. For pain caused by overexcitation of the nervous system (stress, etc.), a simple sedative can help - even ordinary valerian.
Oral contraceptives
Birth control pills contain hormones that help normalize hormonal levels. These pills are very effective for relieving abdominal pain and other "effects" of menstruation. Of course, without consulting a gynecologist, you should not start taking it.
Physical exercise
Of course, we are not talking about shock loads and, moreover, not about exercises for the press, but tilts, body rotations, light stretching are quite suitable. Pilates and yoga, which involve working on muscle tone, are also excellent pain relievers.
Compresses and baths
For example, a bath with sea salt (taken before and after menstruation for 15-20 minutes, daily). Sitz baths (contrasting) before the onset of menstruation and compresses during menstruation are also suitable. After a bath or a contrast shower, you should dress warmly and lie down for at least an hour.
Herbal teas, infusions, decoctions
Such remedies include chamomile and mint tea (you can add honey), parsley or sorrel, mineral water, tansy, acorns, strawberries, angelica, etc.
Massage
Lumbar massage will help relieve spasms. It is desirable, with someone's help, although you can do it yourself. Put two tennis balls in two socks, lie on them with your back so that the balls are at the level of the lower ribs on both sides of the spine. Gently press them with your back and lightly roll the balls with your muscles.
Essential oils
Before menstruation and the first days, you can rub a mixture of essential oils into the sacral region, as well as into the lower abdomen. Ingredients: St. John's wort oil (50 ml), marjoram (5 drops), clary sage (4 drops), yarrow (5 drops). Rub a couple of times a day. Before the procedure, conduct an allergy test by smearing the mixture a little, for example, on the elbows. Itching or redness is a sign of an allergy.
Swimming
The most useful and least traumatic way to relieve pain. The main benefits are the release of endorphins (a natural pain reliever), muscle relaxation.
Cold on the stomach
Freezing pain is one of the most effective methods. An ice pack should be placed on the stomach (only in a towel and over clothes!) For 15 minutes, no more.

It is rare that a woman comfortably endures the period of menstruation. Severe, even unbearable pain during menstruation on the first day is experienced by about a quarter of the population of the weaker sex of childbearing age. Deterioration of health often does not leave the opportunity to work or lead a normal life. Some people are unable to get out of bed during this time. Such a life is often perceived as inevitable, and the mere thought of the days of menstruation causes stress. Painful critical days are also considered a variant of the norm by many doctors. But such a situation should not be tolerated. It is necessary to search for and eliminate the causes of discomfort during menstruation, even if the gynecologist told the woman that she does not have any pathologies.

Varieties of pain

A sharp deterioration in well-being on the eve of menstruation and during it is called algomenorrhea. Physiological processes in the body in the second half of the cycle are associated with thickening of the endometrium in the uterine cavity, blood flow to the genitals and muscle tissue tension. At the beginning of menstruation, a spasm often occurs - the walls of the organ are sharply reduced, pushing out the swollen mucous membrane. That is why the pain in the first day is especially strong. They are cutting, jerking, radiating to the lumbar region or coccyx.

As the menstrual flow gradually decreases, muscle tension is relieved and you feel better.

In some women, the pain of the first day of menstruation is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, physical weakness, weakness, tachycardia, sweating, and even fever. A similar clinical picture often develops in adolescence, within 1–2 years from the onset of puberty in a girl. These are manifestations of the so-called primary algomenorrhea.

Secondary disorders develop in young or middle-aged women as a result of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, surgical interventions, neurotic or psychological abnormalities. In most of these cases, the severity and pain in the abdomen are accompanied by dysmenorrhea:

cycle disorders;
decrease or increase in the intensity of secretions;
jumps in body weight;
mood swings;
increased blood pressure;
metabolic disorders.

Both primary and secondary algomenorrhea are caused by factors related to each other, including ovarian dysfunction, the activity of the central nervous system, and chronic diseases. Signs such as weakness and nausea at the beginning of menstruation may indicate the initial stage of diabetes or a violation of protein metabolism.

Possible causes of pain

All the factors explaining why painful periods haunt women are divided into two conditional groups:

physiological;
pathological.

The first is more typical for young girls, as it is associated with heredity or individual characteristics of the organism. It includes:

chronic lack of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium;
low pain threshold;
excess prostaglandins in myometrial cells;
congenital disorder of the synthesis of dopamine, adrenaline, serotonin;
features of the anatomical structure of the uterus: deviations, bends;
congenital or acquired disorders of the nervous system.

In adolescents, a common cause of painful periods is the formation of the menstrual cycle. During this period, the buildup of a thick layer of the endometrium, the occurrence of juvenile bleeding, and long delays between menstruation are likely. The stomach hurts before menstruation due to excessive tension of the muscle walls. The situation is exacerbated by anxiety, nervous conditions.

Fluctuations in hormonal balance, characteristic of a young age, can persist in an adult woman. The desynchronization of the activity of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus and ovaries often leads to dysfunction, the formation of a polycystic syndrome. Violations of the cycle occur constantly, the discharge may be absent for several months or come twice a month. Untreated primary dysmenorrhea leads to the development of infertility, oncological processes, and early aging of the body.

Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation is the result of a psychological trauma. All parameters of the woman's physical health remain normal.

Secondary algomenorrhea in women almost always develops due to pathology. The classic option: the appearance of painful periods after a long period of well-being. Common causes:

acute or chronic inflammatory processes of the genital organs;
systemic diseases: hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, disorders of the adrenal glands;
consequences of surgery or curettage of the uterine cavity;
growing myomatous nodes, endometriosis, adhesive processes, polyps;
improperly selected IUD;
physical exhaustion;
suffered injuries.

Sometimes a combination of several factors leads to the appearance of sharp pains.

Pain on the first day

In every woman suffering from algomenorrhea, pain on the first day of menstruation develops and proceeds differently.

In most cases, their appearance is preceded by a feeling of heaviness and stiffness in the abdominal cavity, depressed mood, swelling of the extremities. Discomfort begins 12-24 hours before the onset of menstruation. The pain is felt as a series of stabbing, cramping or cutting attacks, aggravated by active movement, bending over, trying to lie on the stomach. Often, pain is felt throughout the abdominal cavity, capturing the upper thighs, epigastric region and mammary glands.

The first degree of algomenorrhea is familiar to almost half of the ladies. The pain is dull, diffused only in the lower abdomen, quite tolerable. It starts 6-10 hours before menstruation, is present only on the first day, then disappears without a trace. Discomfort does not cause much suffering and does not interfere with normal activities. Women need more rest. You can take an antispasmodic.
The average degree of pain syndrome cannot remain imperceptible. Cramping and contractions in the abdomen begin and increase over several hours. With the appearance of menstruation, the suffering becomes unbearable. Often there are neurological and vascular disorders: severe headache, irritability, numbness of the arms or legs, tachycardia, sweating. The condition improves only 2-3 days after the onset of menstruation.
A severe degree of algomenorrhea often forces a woman to lie in bed for the entire menstrual period. Its causes usually lie in serious hormonal disorders or diseases of the reproductive system. The pain lasts for several days, subsides only after the end of the critical days.

Physical suffering often becomes the cause of neurosis, requires a detailed medical examination and treatment.

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How to alleviate the condition

Severe pain during menstruation significantly reduces the quality of life, causing increased anxiety, depression. She needs to be fought.

Medications can help relieve period pain. Traditionally, combinations of antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers are used: papaverine, drotaverine, ibuprofen, paracetamol. Combined remedies act faster and last longer. It is necessary to start taking them a day before the onset of pain, otherwise the effect will be insignificant.

To relieve pain during menstruation, herbal drinks and any diuretics additionally help:

decoction of shepherd's purse, dill seed or parsley;
weakly brewed tea;
berry compote.

Removal of excess fluid from the body reduces the feeling of tension. Coffee or other stimulants are not recommended.

If the pills do not help reduce pain, it is recommended to remain calm, perform a light abdominal massage, and apply a warm heating pad. Sometimes it is not heat that helps reduce pain, but cold. It is necessary to use not ice, but a towel soaked in cool water.

Drinking painkillers is allowed for a limited time. If the usual doses of the drug do not have an effect, the drug is changed or the injection of analgesics is resorted to.

Treatment of menstrual pain

If the painful period of the onset of menstruation is not the result of organic lesions or functional disorders, doctors suggest using medical painkillers. Practice shows that there is no single drug that is equally suitable for all women. An effective medicine has to be chosen empirically.

Correct physical activity, a healthy diet prevent and reduce pain. It is necessary to walk daily, perform stretching and aerobic exercises, breathing exercises. Relaxing massage, physiotherapy procedures are useful.

With a lack of vitamins and minerals, an additional intake of funds containing magnesium, calcium, tocopherol, ascorbic and folic acid is required.