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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 your 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.

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 of 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. Here are the top back pain symptoms you should not ignore, and could be potentially dangerous for your health:

Top 5 Pain Symptoms You Should Not Ignore:

1. Pain that lasts longer than 10 days
2. Pain accompanied by numbness and tingling in the legs or feet
3. Pain with weakness into the legs or feet
4. Pain with loss of bladder control
5. Pain accompanied by a fever

We know that people are afraid of going to the doctors, and a big part of that is because they are afraid to hear what the doctor has found. Patients are better off figuring out what is happening, and then being proactive about taking care of themselves and their spine. If something doesn’t feel right, it may not be right.

Through modern technology and innovation, the field of spine treatments has jumped by leaps and bounds over the last 15 years. Gone are the days of being sedentary for healing. With modern technology, patients are getting up and moving sooner which means getting back to their lives faster.

If you are suffering from neck or back pain, please contact us to schedule your initial evaluation. We can get you back to a fulfilling life, pain free!

Virginia Spine Institute’s reputation is unmatched as a world-renowned luxury destination in spinal healthcare, dedicated to providing an elevated level of concierge care for those suffering from neck and back conditions. For three decades, their proven methods have led them to dramatically improving the quality of life for over 100,000 patients, from 32 countries.

People seek care from Virginia Spine Institute because of their elite team of board-certified spine-specialized physicians offering unique approaches to safe and effective back and neck pain relief. As one of the few centers that begin treatment with non-surgical options before recommending surgery, 90% of their patients get better without spine surgery. Through a comprehensive model, Virginia Spine Institute is able to offer regenerative medicine, non-operative treatments, minimally-invasive spine surgery, and physical therapy through their team of spine specialists.

The team’s dedication to detail and patient success is a shining light in the field of spinal healthcare. As pioneers and leaders in this field, they have also accomplished many of the world’s firsts in spine surgery by using modern treatments and cutting-edge technology not offered anywhere else.

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