Exploring the Link: Can Menstruation Trigger Back Pain?

Lower back pain during menstruation can be caused by a few different reasons. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that lower pelvic pain during menstruation is the most commonly reported menstrual disorder. More than half of women experience pain for at least one or two days while they are menstruating. There are two types of menstrual pain: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Primary Dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by cramps. Usually, women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea experience pain when they start menstruating for the first time. During menstruation, the uterus contracts to separate the tissue in the uterine lining. Prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemical messengers, cause the uterine muscles to contract more.

Increased levels of prostaglandins cause more pain. These contractions can cause stomach cramps. In addition to stomach cramps, there may be lower back pain that spreads to the legs.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Secondary dysmenorrhea often begins later. These pains and cramps are caused or aggravated by other physical problems. Prostaglandins may play a role in increasing pain levels in women suffering from secondary dysmenorrhea. For example, endometriosis often causes lower back pain.

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There are many other underlying conditions that affect the abdomen and lower back, including:

• Infection
• Fibroid
• Other Conditions That Affect The Reproductive Organs

Other Symptoms
If you have dysmenorrhea, you may experience back pain as well as many other symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Stomach Cramps And Pain
• Tiredness
• Diarrhea, Nausea And Vomiting
• Leg Pain
• Headache
• Unconsciousness

A common cause of lower back pain during menstruation is endometriosis and symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Extreme Pain During Menstruation
• Pain During Sex
• Heavy Bleeding
• Infertility
• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty Passing Stools

It is important to remember that endometriosis has very mild symptoms early on and often goes unnoticed. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can also cause lower back pain. Other symptoms that cause pain include:

• Fever
• Pain During Sex And Urination
• Irregular Bleeding
• Foul Smelling Discharge
• Tiredness
• Vomit
• Unconsciousness

PID is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. The infection can cause bacteria to spread to the reproductive organs. This may also be due to the use of tampons. If you think you have an STI or PID, contact your doctor.

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There are several underlying conditions that can aggravate back pain during menstruation. These include:

• Endometriosis – a condition where the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, is found outside the uterus.
• Adenomyosis – a condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus.
• PID – an infection caused by bacteria that starts and spreads in the uterus.
• Uterine Fibroids – These are benign tumors.
• Abnormal Pregnancy – This includes ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage.

If you suspect you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor. To test for these conditions, or find out the cause, you may need to undergo several different tests. These may include:

• Pelvic Exam
• Ultrasound
• MRI
• Laparoscopy
• Hysteroscopy

Lower back pain can be very painful for many women, there are many home remedies that ease back pain. These measures include:

• Applying warm compresses – Using heating pads or hot water bottles can reduce pain.
• Back massage – Massaging the affected area can provide relief from pain.
• Exercise – This may include light stretching, walking or yoga.
• Sleep – Try to rest in a position that reduces lower back pain.
• Acupuncture – Acupuncture may be moderately effective in treating low back pain, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking. These can make painful periods worse.

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Depending on the exact cause of low back pain, your doctor may prescribe certain treatments. These include:

• Birth control pills—especially those that contain estrogen and progestin—can reduce pain. These include the pill, patch and vaginal ring.
• Progesterone – which also reduces pain.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, relieve pain by reducing the amount of prostaglandins produced by the body.
• If lower back pain is caused by endometriosis, medication may be an option. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists may help reduce pain.

There may be a need to undergo some of the following surgeries like -

• Endometrial ablation – a procedure that destroys the lining of the uterus.
• Endometrial resection – In this the lining of the uterus is removed.
• Laparoscopy – In this the endometrial tissue is taken out.

When To See A Doctor
If you have severe lower back pain that is preventing you from doing your daily activities, it is best to consult a doctor. If you suspect you have endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or dysmenorrhea, talk to your doctor. If you experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms during your period, it may indicate an underlying cause.

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Menstruation can cause lower back pain. Lower back pain can be especially severe if you have a health condition such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids. If your symptoms are severe, it is best to talk to a doctor. They can help you find the cause and treat your pain.