What to do if your stomach hurts during menstruation. Why does my stomach hurt during menstruation? - get rid of pain forever

Almost all women suffer from unpleasant and sometimes even painful sensations before or during menstruation. In this case, there is no need to worry, because this is quite natural. During menstruation, the inner uterine layer leaves the body and is shed monthly (with the exception of pregnancy). Abdominal discomfort occurs due to contractions of the uterus.

If the pain during menstruation is not severe, does not last long and does not interfere with normal activities, then there is nothing to worry about. But if, due to severe pain, a woman cannot study or work normally, this may be a manifestation of some serious illness.

Pay attention! In medical circles, pain during menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. And dysmenorrhea can be a sign of a number of gynecological disorders.

Let's get acquainted with the main causes of severe pain.

Abdominal pain before menstruation

According to statistics, the most vulnerable category of women susceptible to painful menstruation are young girls who have just started menstruating. Approximately 35-50% of all adolescents (meaning girls - usually thin and overly emotional) experience this problem. But these pains are often not associated with dysfunction of the genitourinary organs, illnesses or other reasons. When the menstrual cycle improves, the pain disappears. In other cases, women need to be given special attention your own feelings and do not try to immediately solve the problem with the help of antispasmodic drugs. If a woman leads a completely normal lifestyle, does not suffer from inflammatory processes, does not overwork and does not take contraceptives or hormonal drugs, then p The cause of the problem most likely lies in hormonal stress. In this case, one should distinguish between pain provoked by a hormonal surge and pain indicating the development of inflammation.

The symptoms of both menstrual and premenstrual pain are the same:

  • pain similar to contractions (lasts no more than 24 hours and sometimes spreads to the lower back);

  • elevated temperature;
  • weakness of the body;
  • too much frequent visit toilet;
  • nervousness;

  • bloating;
  • sleep problems.

All these symptoms indicate hormonal imbalance. If a woman exhibits the signs listed above, then there is no need to worry too much, since the imbalance that occurs during menstruation is explained by the release of prostaglandins, which cause uterine cramps.


But if such pain is permanent, that is, it appears regularly every month, then you should contact a qualified gynecologist as soon as possible. The point is that constant pain may indicate ailments of the genital organs (such as, for example, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, cysts, polyps, etc.). Moreover, this may indicate an ectopic pregnancy.

Also, during menstruation, the stomach may hurt in women who have had an abortion. Similar pains may appear during the first menstruation or after childbirth. But if these sensations are observed continuously throughout menstruation, this may be evidence of the development of endometriosis.

Abdominal pain during menstruation (for example, at the end) may be evidence of some kind of female disease or progressive inflammation. Often this is a sign of the development of vulvitis and andexitis. If such pain appears constantly, you need to immediately go to a gynecologist for diagnosis and treatment - this will avoid complications.

Pay attention! Separately, we should talk about the delay of menstruation. It is believed that it is a sign of pregnancy, but the absence of discharge does not always indicate conception. Cycle disturbances are also observed as a result of permanent stress. Overstimulation that the body experiences has a negative effect on hormonal background.

Other causes of abdominal pain

Weight also affects menstruation. Women who are too low/overweight are more likely to experience lack of discharge or painful periods. This problem can be solved only after making adjustments to the diet and normalizing weight.

The next reason is excessive loads, for example, in sports such as bodybuilding or powerlifting. To avoid problems, it is better to give preference to fitness, swimming and exercise in the morning.

Uncontrolled intake deserves special attention medical supplies and contraceptives - all this can also cause disruptions in the cycle. This refers to uncontrolled or prolonged use antipsychotics, drugs for tuberculosis and antidepressants. By means emergency contraception you also shouldn’t get carried away, since the concentration of hormones that provoke ovulation in them is five to ten times higher than in hormonal contraceptives. Due to such a large dose, the menstrual cycle may be disrupted, which will not have the best effect on your overall health.

Among other causes of pain and other problems, it is worth highlighting:

  • sudden climate change;
  • work in hazardous production;
  • heredity;
  • drug use, alcohol use;
  • abortion;
  • smoking;
  • stopping taking hormonal contraceptives;
  • miscarriages.

All this can lead to weakening and imbalance of the body, due to which, first of all, the genitourinary organs.

When should you go to the hospital?

As we have already found out, abdominal pain can be a sign serious problems with health, sometimes even life can be at risk.

You should immediately consult a doctor if:

  • there is a suspicion of pregnancy;

    Suspected pregnancy is a reason to consult a doctor

  • pain, as well as menstruation itself, lasts more than seven days;
  • I have never had stomach pain during menstruation before;
  • the pain became unbearable;

  • the temperature has increased;
  • The pain is accompanied by copious discharge.

Features of treatment

Typically, when abdominal pain occurs, women take antispasmodic medications and return to daily activities. But you shouldn’t do this, because the pain will keep coming back. To effectively eliminate them, you can use medications, or you can resort to different procedures, eliminating spasm.

Table. Methods for eliminating uterine cramps

NameDescription

In warmth, the uterus relaxes and contracts less intensely. In most cases, the source of heat is a warm heating pad or plastic bottle filled with heated water. Heat must be applied to the stomach and lie down for a while.

With the help birth control pills You can both reduce pain during menstruation and get rid of them altogether. After a few months, for many, the pain, as well as other unpleasant effects of menstruation, disappear. But before taking it you should mandatory discuss this with your gynecologist!

A warm bath is also very effective - it not only relaxes the muscles, but also calms the nerves. Typically, a warm shower has the same effect.

She should also not be underestimated. The fact is that if a woman spends a lot of time in a sitting position, then stagnation appears in the pelvis, which can lead to painful premenstrual syndrome.

If a woman is easily excited and often nervous, then the appearance pain syndrome during menstruation may be a consequence of “restless” nervous system. If so, then the problem can be eliminated with ordinary valerian. Therapists advise taking 1 tablet 3 times a day orally for 10 days.

To relieve pain, you can take a tablet of one of the following medications:

Analgin;

Ketonal;

Ibuprofen.

These drugs reduce the concentration of prostaglandin, which is why pain and uterine cramps disappear. Sometimes doctors recommend starting to take painkillers a few days before the start of menstruation, but before taking this or that drug, you must read the instructions.

Video - How to deal with painful menstruation

Pay attention! Strong drugs (such as ketanov) should be abandoned. The fact is that, for example, the same ketanov irritates the mucous membrane internal organs(primarily the stomach), which can lead to gastritis or even ulcers.

Also when painful menstruation(premenstrual syndrome) the following drug therapy can be carried out:

  1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
  • indomethacin 25 mg 3 times a day orally, 5 – 7 days;
  • diclofenac 75 mg, 1 tablet (if necessary, 2 tablets per day), taken orally or rectally 50 mg 2 times a day for 5 – 7 days;
  • acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg per day orally for 5 days;
  • ketoprofen 100 mg per day or IM 5% 2.0 ml per day – 3 – 5 days;
  • meloxicam ( NSAID selective COX-2 inhibitor) 15 mg 1 time per day for 5 – 7 days.
  1. Antispasmodics:
  • hyoscine butyl bromide (10 mg tablets taken orally);
  • magnesium sulfate solution for injection 25% in a 20 ml ampoule or in tablets, 1 tablet per day, taken orally during pain, long-term for 5 – 6 months. (II-1 C).
  1. Hormone therapy (if therapy is ineffective during 3 menstrual cycles):
  • progestins (dydrogesterone) in the 2nd phase of the menstrual cycle (from 15 to 24 days of the cycle) 10 mg 1 time per day orally for 3 – 6 months;
  • combined estrogen-gestagen drugs (from the first day of the cycle intermittently for 3 - 6 months): ethinyl estradiol - drospirenone; ethinyl estradiol – dienogest; ethinyl estradiol - gestodene; ethinyl estradiol - desogestrel.

Let's give a few more useful tips to eliminate abdominal pain.

  1. It is recommended to do yoga, because during exercise the genitourinary organs are toned and massaged. Thanks to constant exercise, adhesions resolve, ovulation is stimulated and weakened muscle tension uterus during menstruation.

  2. You should also avoid fast food and other unhealthy foods. Such food irritates the intestines located next to the uterus. Two or three days before your period, you need to change your diet slightly, replacing everything harmful with juices and broths.

  3. Finally, hypothermia must be avoided. You should not wear a short skirt in winter, as this can also cause pain during menstruation.

In the end, we note that pain cannot be tolerated. If the remedies described above do not help with menstruation, then you should visit a qualified gynecologist. After all, if pain is a sign of a disease of the genital organs, then it will not go away unless the disease is cured.

Video - Pain during menstruation

Text: Olga Kim

Pain in the lower abdomen appears, which means your period is coming soon. Which woman does not know this “sign”... Yes, unfortunately, almost every woman experiences pain during the “red days”. Moreover, pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation can occur differently for everyone, which means the help may be different.

Pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation: what is the cause?

Pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation- how they ruin life! Fortunately, not everyone - women experience this period differently, for some, surprisingly, it passes quite quickly and easily, with practically no reminder of themselves, while others expect menstruation every month with horror. Some people experience such pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation that they can “climb the wall,” painkillers do not help, they cannot sleep normally, and it really interferes with the rhythm of life.

Doctors associate this symptom with a disease such as dysmenorrhea. The disease is quite common, but it is not so easy and quick to treat; there are many contraindications and consequences for this disease. Dysmenorrhea is just one of the possible reasons pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation, but if every period is also painful for you, most likely this is what you have. There are primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Primary is associated with a violation of the level of the female sex hormone prostaglandin. The fact is that, as you know, menstruation is the body’s response to the non-fertilization of the egg, i.e. absence of pregnancy. And just during the period from the end of ovulation to menstruation, the hormonal background changes in female body, which leads to pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. If a woman produces a lot of the hormone prostaglandin, then migraines, nausea, and general malaise are added to abdominal pain. If these signs are observed regularly, you should consult a doctor.

With secondary dysmenorrhea, pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation speaks of an inflammatory process in the body, and it may not be associated with the genitals at all. In this case, you need to urgently consult a doctor and find the source of inflammation. Pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation can occur as a result of numerous terminations of pregnancy, difficult childbirth, operations, viral diseases and injuries. Also, pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation can be a consequence of using an intrauterine device as a means of contraception.

Pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation: how to get rid of it?

Each woman should choose her own method of getting rid of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. The simplest helpers in this situation are various painkillers; they certainly help, but you need to look at the root and prevent such pain.

Doctors advise leading healthy image life, quit smoking, alcohol and coffee. The famous motto “to keep everything in order - take care of your appendages” is more relevant than ever - keep your lower abdomen warm and do not sit in the cold. Men should carry the weights, so come home light from the store. Spend more time outdoors and find time to relax. You also need physical activity. If active species sports are clearly not for you, do yoga, sports are not sports, but physically you can get tired there and what not. Don't like yoga? Then take up the now fashionable oriental dances; girls of the East have always been famous for their excellent women's health.

Pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation is a problem that women have struggled with since time immemorial. If it doesn't bother you too much, you're lucky. If you can endure such pains, and besides them you do not feel any other ailments, it is better not to take pills, but to wait out this period, let the body cope with this process itself. But if you experience unbearable pain every time, you can and should consult a doctor. Women's diseases Sometimes they take a very long time and are difficult to treat; it is better not to neglect them.

Menstrual pain is a common phenomenon that many women have to deal with. For some, menstruation causes mild ailment and discomfort, while for others it causes unbearable, pulling, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, lower back or sacrum, which does not allow them to lead a full life.

Why stomach pain during menstruation and could this be a sign of some kind of problem or gynecological disease? What are some ways to relieve painful periods?

Causes of menstrual pain and main symptoms

Menstrual cycle in women it is a natural cyclical process. The main cause of periodic pain is changes in hormonal levels in the female body and increased production prostaglandin hormone. During menstruation, the uterus contracts and the mucous membrane of its walls is rejected in the form of bloody discharge, accompanied by painful and unpleasant sensations. A woman may experience discomfort and pain several days before her period arrives.

The main symptoms of pain during menstruation:

  • twisting, causing uterine spasms, pain;
  • the stomach hurts and pulls, spasms radiate to the rectum;
  • pulling and aching pain in the lower back, sacrum;
  • sharp or shooting pain in the ovaries and kidneys;
  • headache, nausea, general malaise, loss of performance, drowsiness or irritability.

The above symptoms may be varying degrees intensity. Malaise and mild discomfort - physiological norm, especially in girls who have not given birth and is associated with changes in hormonal levels. But if the pain is severe, it cannot be tolerated, is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and is of a regular nature, this indicates the presence of a disease - algomenorrhea (dysmenorrhea), which has a primary and secondary form.

In the primary form of dysmenorrhea, women experience severe nagging, cramping pain on the first day of the cycle or a few hours before the arrival of menstruation. In addition to painful cramps in the abdomen, lower back pain, headache, and nausea appear. The secondary form of the disease manifests itself in a more severe form and requires consultation and treatment to eliminate possible diseases genital area, which caused severe and unbearable pain.

The causes of severe abdominal pain are:

  1. Hormonal imbalance or disruption. Improper production of hormones in a woman’s body can lead to an imbalance or disruption of her hormonal levels.
  2. Disruption in work thyroid gland.
  3. Inflammatory processes occurring in the genitals and ovaries caused by infectious diseases and demand immediate treatment.
  4. Endometriosis (endometritis).
  5. Hypothermia of the body.
  6. Incorrect anatomical location uterus, which causes pressure on the nerve endings, which is why pain occurs.
  7. The presence of cysts, fibroids, polyps, oncological diseases.
  8. An important factor that provokes painful periods is the psycho-emotional state of a woman. The cause of pain may be stressful situations, depression, nervous breakdowns.


Severe pain on the first day of menstruation

Painful sensations at the beginning of menstruation - normal physiological process, which is associated with hormonal changes in the body. Since fertilization of the egg has not occurred, a natural process of renewal of the endometrium of the uterine cavity occurs. To remove dead tissue, under the influence female hormones, the uterus begins to contract and reject it along with bloody discharge.

Important! If the pain for a long time does not subside, but, on the contrary, increases and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and headache, this may indicate the presence of a gynecological disease that requires treatment.

Severe pain during menstruation: what to do?

Pulling, sharp and intense pain, radiating to the lower back, intestines, which last for several days, indicate serious gynecological disease or inflammatory process. You should definitely pay attention to these symptoms and not leave them to chance. There are cases when women experience such severe cramping pain that they lose consciousness from painful shock. During this period, women are unable to perform their usual daily activities, move and walk, and many even find it difficult to get out of bed. The most common diseases that cause painful periods are:

  • endometriosis;
  • ovarian cysts;
  • uterine polyp or fallopian tubes;
  • uterine fibroids.

Important! The duration of critical days for more than a week may indicate inflammation of the appendages or the presence of cysts on the ovaries.

When to see a doctor immediately:

  • painful symptoms continue after the end of menstruation;
  • during menstruation, the temperature rises, a rash and diarrhea appear;
  • stomach pain and profuse spotting;
  • pain in the intestines, accompanied by bloody or tarry stools.


How to relieve period pain

You can relieve pain and general malaise with the help of medications and folk remedies. Treatment is aimed not only at eliminating symptoms and reducing spasms, but also at relieving headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and swelling.

Relieving menstrual pain with medications:

  1. The use of anti-inflammatory medicines. Aspirin, Ibuprfen, Diclofenac are quickly absorbed into the blood and relieve discomfort.
  2. On the first day of menstruation, for severe abdominal pain, taking painkillers Ketanov or Tamipul is very effective, which quickly relieve pain without causing side effects.
  3. Analgesics (Paracetamol) significantly alleviate the condition.
  4. Antispasmodics and painkillers (Noshpa, Nurofen) – effective way to relieve pain and spasms.
  5. Regular appointment oral contraceptives help normalize hormonal levels and reduce pain.
  6. Sedatives and sedatives reduce painful symptoms, relieve nervous tension.

Reducing pain during menstruation without medication

If you are sure that you do not have serious gynecological problems, diseases and stomach pain during menstruation, you can use folk remedies to reduce painful symptoms.

A timely visit to a gynecologist and treatment of the disease will eliminate the cause of severe menstrual pain.

1. Herbal teas that have a calming effect. If your periods are painful, then in your home medicine cabinet There should always be medicinal herbs present to help relieve discomfort. Herbal teas from nettle, oregano, elecampane, yarrow, horsetail will reduce the intensity of pain, and a decoction of mint or lemon balm will relieve nervous tension.

Advice! Medicinal herbs can be taken as herbal teas or separately. Brew in the following proportion: 2 tablespoons of medicinal mixture per 200 ml of boiling water, take several times a day in the first days of the cycle.

2. Warm heating pad. Heat will help relieve painful periods, but within reasonable limits. Apply a warm heating pad or towel to your lower back and lower abdomen. Many women manage to relieve pain with warm foot baths.

3. Light self-massage of the abdomen and lower back. Stroking the abdomen and lower back clockwise helps relieve pain during menstruation.

4. Nutrition. Low calorie food, rich in fiber, vitamins, dairy and fermented milk products helps cope with discomfort, diarrhea, nausea. It is recommended to avoid eating fatty, fried, and especially spicy and salty foods and smoked foods. You should also give up confectionery and flour products in your diet, drink water, juices, vitamin fruit drinks and herbal teas. Large quantity in the diet of vegetables, fruits, cereals, and fermented milk products will improve overall well-being. Foods rich in magnesium and calcium are useful these days. Magnesium helps normalize muscle tone and relax muscles. This important trace element found in green vegetables, beans and cereals and dried fruits. Calcium in a huge number found in cottage cheese, cheese and low-fat yogurt.


5. Physical activity and gymnastics. Light physical activity in critical days help relieve pain, although many women avoid physical activity. Carrying out gymnastic exercises, you can take your mind off discomfort and also strengthen muscles. Yoga, Pilates, stretching, fitball or swimming will relieve muscle tension and lift your spirits. From intense physical activity, it is better to avoid active sports during this period.

6. Get a good night's sleep. During painful periods best medicine– sleep and rest.

7. Caution. If your periods are painful, then it is better to avoid visiting the bathhouse, sauna, solarium, and the beach. Ultraviolet radiation and overheating of the body contribute to increased bleeding and pain. In addition, during your period you should avoid bad habits: smoking and alcohol.

“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 heavy.

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 levels change and a lot of the hormone progesterone is produced.

arise increased appetite, bad mood. Menstruation makes you feel worse. This is pain premenstrual syndrome(PMS). Doctors call menstruation a “scheduling nightmare.”

During menstrual bleeding a woman's natural defense mechanism, which helps to spasm 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 have nagging pain in the stomach, which make themselves felt before and during menstruation. They may persist until pregnancy.
  2. When the uterus is bent, hypersensitivity nerve plexuses, on which she puts pressure, 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, dull ache in the form of a feeling of heaviness that 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 may differ sharp pain. In general, severe pain in any part of the body is a sign of some kind of disease. IN in this case- these are violations reproductive system or inflammatory, infectious diseases.

It should be noted that during menstruation your legs may hurt, bottom part back, may feel sick, feel weak, and have diarrhea.

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 associated with the anatomical individuality of a woman and hormonal changes. The second may be caused by inflammation of the cyst, endometriosis, 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, a hereditary one, or who take blood thinning medications due to poor blood clotting, are contraindicated with drugs in this group.

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 fact serious cases For severe pain, the gynecologist prescribes prescription medications.

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

When choosing herbal collection you need to ensure that they contain 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 good prevention pain.

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

Only a gynecologist, after examination and confirmation of the diagnosis, will prescribe an effective contraceptive drug, optimally suited for your case.

Diseases that cause pain

Severe abdominal pain during menstruation may 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 - very unpleasant disease. During menstruation, its symptoms intensify. They, 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 develop into chronic form. 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 organs is performed. genitourinary system.

After diagnosis, prescribe drug treatment antibacterial drugs.

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, 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 delays in menstruation, nausea and vomiting, intestinal problems and bladder, as well as very strong intense pain.

They may be achy or contraction-like. Their strengthening is associated with a large number release of endometrial cells.

When contacting a gynecologist, it is prescribed special diagnostics, including ultrasound examination, computed tomography, laparoscopy.

Depending on the result of the examination, it may be prescribed hormone therapy or surgery. Endometriosis – insidious disease, in which it is 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 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, long delays menstruation, painful sensations when urinating, abdominal enlargement - more on a certain side, 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, treatment is prescribed. hormonal treatment or surgery.

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, causing pain during menstruation.

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

There are signs that make it easy to understand when you need it urgently medical examination and treatment. These include:

  • obviously severe symptoms associated with inflammatory processes. This is a violation temperature regime, increased sweating and palpitations, discharge with a strong odor during menstruation;
  • very severe abdominal pain with heavy discharge and weight loss within a few 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 diseases discussed in the article, when without medical care there's simply no way around it.

Useful video

Cramps during menstruation are a nasty thing, but at least they are familiar. That is why it is worth paying special attention to any changes - for example, if usually quite tolerable discomfort has turned into real suffering. Or the pain does not leave you even several days after your period has ended. Finally, the discharge is unusually heavy and lasts for an abnormally long time. Whatever the change is, it signals that something may be wrong with the body. “And you can’t ignore it,” concludes Alice Dweck, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Mount Kisco Clinic in New York.

To have an idea of ​​possible problems, read on.

Very severe pain and heavy discharge

Possible reason: uterine fibroid. This benign tumor on the inner or outer wall of the uterus. Why fibroids appear is not fully understood, but the problem is very common among women 30-40 years old. The pain, which Dweck describes as “off the charts,” usually occurs due to mechanical pressure tumors on the uterus or as a result of inflammation.

What to do: make an appointment with your gynecologist and talk about your symptoms. The doctor will most likely conduct several examinations, as a result of which it will become clear whether you have a fibroid and whether it needs to be removed. The latter depends on many factors - including the location of the tumor and its size (varies from a button to the size of a medium grapefruit). Since fibroids are sensitive to estrogen levels, you may be prescribed a COC as a pain reliever.

Constant nagging pain

Possible reason: inflammatory process in the pelvic organs, that is, infection of the ovaries, bladder, uterus and/or fallopian tubes. Where does inflammation come from? Well, for example, any STI can lead to it advanced stage(remember that chlamydia and gonorrhea are often asymptomatic). “The pain is almost constant, usually without severe attacks, but at the same time very unpleasant,” Alisa clarifies. And during menstruation, in combination with cramps, pain from inflammation may intensify.

What to do: go to the gynecologist without delay. " Inflammatory process It rarely triggers very urgent action, but it can’t be triggered, says Dweck. – The sooner the doctor examines you and determines the cause, the sooner he can prescribe antibiotics. If inflammation is ignored for a long time, it can cause scar tissue to form, which ultimately affects your ability to conceive.

Sharp pain in one side

Possible reason: ovarian torsion. “This happens when something (such as a cyst) causes the ovary to twist, impeding blood flow,” says Dweck. – It’s very strong, practically unbearable pain which requires immediate medical intervention" One of the consequences is the decline of ovarian function.

What to do: call an ambulance. Most likely, an ultrasound and other studies will be required. If the diagnosis of torsion is confirmed, immediate laparoscopic (that is, with a minimal level of intervention) surgery is required to bring the organ to its normal position. “Sometimes, with timely intervention, the ovary can be saved. But if it no longer looks viable, it will have to be removed. Fortunately, this organ is a pair, and the production of estrogens and eggs will be taken over by the remaining ovary.”

Severe cramps that do not respond to regular painkillers

Possible reason: Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue from the uterus moves to other organs (such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes) and takes root there. According to data American Center Obstetrics and Gynecology, endometriosis is found in almost 10 percent of women. But the thing is that to establish correct diagnosis it may take years. Before this happens, most patients believe that severe pain during menstruation is a common occurrence and suffer. Plus, they often experience discomfort during sex.

What to do: again, go to the doctor and describe your symptoms. He prescribes several tests and studies for you to determine possible options treatment. Since endometrial tissue is sensitive to hormone levels, taking hormonal contraceptives will help reduce pain. But the only way to confirm endometriosis is still laparoscopy, during which the doctor can try to remove as much excess tissue as possible.

Severe cramps after insertion of intrauterine contraceptives

Possible reason: copper (non-hormonal) intrauterine device. Strengthening is possible within three months after installation of this tiny T-shaped device. pain, because the spiral needs time to “take root” in the body.

What to do: “If the pain continues for a long time or appears suddenly after a long period of normal functioning of the IUD, then you need to sign up for an ultrasound, which will allow you to find out what condition the spiral is in,” advises Dweck. The doctor can check and slightly adjust the position of the IUD, after which the pain should go away.