Among the causes of low back pain is, among women, menstruation. During the delicate period of the month, women may experience low, medium or high intensity low back pain.
Menstruation generally causes abdominal pain, bloating and headaches, but some women may also have low back pain. In their case, the pain is felt in the central part of the lumbar area. The pain starts a few days before menstruation and disappears with the end of the difficult period.
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Why low back pain occurs during menstruation
Low back pain during menstruation is caused by hormonal disorders that occur in the body and is usually muscular in nature.
Prostaglandins, the hormones released during the menstrual cycle to contract the uterus, can affect the lumbar muscles. Excess prostaglandins can cause painful menstruation, as well as back pain that radiates from the abdomen to the lumbar region.
Moreover, during menstruation, the tissues of the uterus become inflamed and can irritate the surrounding tissues, causing inflammation and pain in the lumbar area.
Women diagnosed with endometriosis may also experience intense pain during menstruation.
Premenstrual syndrome can also cause low back pain, in addition to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability, malaise, insomnia, concentration problems, headaches, fatigue, bloating, breast tenderness and abdominal cramps. The causes of PMS have not yet been discovered, but it seems that depression, stress, unhealthy eating habits and changes in brain chemistry contribute to the development of this syndrome.
How to combat low back pain
There are several ways you can relieve back pain during menstruation, as well as other symptoms associated with this time of month. Here are the methods:
- If low back pain is extremely unpleasant, use an anti-inflammatory or analgesic to temporarily relieve pain.
- Practice sports regularly. Studies show that women who exercise regularly have low back pain as well as reduced abdominal cramps during menstruation.
- Consume enough water to keep your body hydrated.
- Use warm compresses on painful areas or take a warm bath to relieve pain.
- Massage the painful area of the back with a soothing ointment.
- Practice yoga or stretching exercises that can relieve back pain.
- Limit the consumption of caffeine, chocolate or alcohol, which could cause exacerbation of low back pain.
If low back pain radiates to your leg or causes weakness, you should seek medical attention because menstruation may not be the cause of your pain.
Risk factors
The risk of menstrual pain increases in the following cases:
- Women under the age of 30;
- Puberty began early, at age 11 or earlier;
- Menstrual flow is abundant (menorrhagia);
- Menstrual bleeding is irregular;
- Smoking;
- Lack of physical exertion;
- Emotional stress, depression or anxiety;
- Lack of pregnancy;
- Diets, especially for women between 14 and 20 years old.