CAUSES OF LOW BACK PAIN DURING MENSTRUATION & 8 TIPS TO MINIMIZE THIS MONTHLY OCCURENCE
Menstruation can consist of abdominal pain, bloating, and headaches for most women. In addition to the typical symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle, some women also suffer from low back pain. This low back pain can range from a subtle annoyance to debilitating pain during those days of the month. The pain experienced is typically located along the center portion of the low back. Back pain for most women will begin a few days prior to a menstrual cycle and usually subside after. The good news is that low back pain during menstruation is usually not serious and will subside for the most part.
If this type of pain interferes with activities of daily living during you menstrual cycle, it’s important to understand why it happens and how to cope with and manage the pain.
What Causes Low Back Pain During Menstruation?
Low back pain during menstruation is typically muscular in nature and thought to be caused by hormone changes. Prostaglandins (hormones released during a menstrual cycle to promote uterine contraction to shed the uterine lining) can affect the lower back muscles. An excess of prostaglandins causes dysmenorrheal or painful menstruation. Heavy contractions can lead to low back pain, as the pain can radiate from the lower abdomen into the low back.
Women with endometriosis may also experience low back pain during the menstrual cycle. If this is of concern, you may want to talk to your doctor about this diagnosis and proper treatment options.
8 Tips to Reduce Painful Cramping and Low Back Pain:
- Some women benefit from starting over the counter acetaminophen or anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, a couple days prior to menstruation.
- Exercise regularly. Studies show that women who exercise on a regular basis have less painful menstrual cramps and low back pain.
- Maintain a healthy diet and take nutritional supplements with vitamin B and magnesium
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Apply heat or take warm baths.
- Avoid caffeine and chocolate.
- Avoid alcohol intake and smoking.
- Some women may require birth control pills to help with menstrual pain.
If your low back pain lingers past the menstrual cycle or you develop leg pain or weakness, you should seek medical attention, as this may be more than the typical low back pain stemming from prostaglandin release during menstruation.
Do you experience back pain associated with your menstrual cycle? If so, share your tips with us on how you cope with painful menses.
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3 Responses to “CAUSES OF LOW BACK PAIN DURING MENSTRUATION & 8 TIPS TO MINIMIZE THIS MONTHLY OCCURENCE”
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i’m 14 and i experience severe lower back cramps during my cycle. for many women, symptoms are much worse during the adolescent years. when i have my period, the cramping and gas are so painful, that i cant think straight and many of my senses weaken, for example, my hearing weakens and my ears ring, i cant focus my eyes properly or it takes much more effort to focus them as normal, and my hands and fingers get pins and needles out of nowhere. it is extremely frustrating and painful. but somehow… i make it through the damn thing!
here are some tips:
1: listen to calm music with lyrics. lie down on your stomach with your head on a pillow and your butt in the air (yes you make look like an idiot, but it reeaaly does help with the gas) sing along to the song out loud, but still quietly. try to get your mind off of the pain as much as you can and if possible,FALL ASLEEP.
2: when you have back cramps, DO NOT apply a heating pad to your back. the reason it doesn’t work as well is because the pain isn’t in your back muscles, its in your uterus as it swells and presses against the content of your back. put the heating pad on your stomach.
3: don’t be afraid to sleep all day. when you’re asleep, you don’t feel ANYTHING. get yourself a couple hours of heaven.
4: drink water, eat fruit.
5: TREAT YOURSELF LIKE AN AMAZON WOMAN WARRIOR THAT JUST GOT BACK FROM BATTLE AND IS WOUNDED. pamper yourself with a “i can make it through anything” attitude.
i hope this helped at least some people!
WE ARE AMAZON WOMAN! WARRIORS OF MOTHER NATURE AND THIS IS OUR TRAINING!!!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!
very well said! I’m glad that i found your site. Every monthly period i always have Dysmenorrhea causing the pain in the back. And thank you for sharing your site.
Usually take NSAIDS and they help a lot