Painful periods are not uncommon. According to medical statistics, it is noted by 30-60% of gynecological patients out of the total number of women of childbearing age. Moreover, in 10% of pains are accompanied by a significant deterioration in well-being and even loss of ability to work.
The syndrome of painful periods has its own name - algomenorrhea (or simply dysmenorrhea). Why the lower abdomen hurt before menstruation, we will tell further. And also consider effective ways to cope with dysmenorrhea.
What is this?
Algodysmenorrhea and dysmenorrhea are interchangeable terms. Moreover, the first is more accurate. From Latin, it translates as "abnormal pain during the monthly cycle." The second concept is narrower, but is used more often due to the ease of pronunciation and writing.
Why did the lower abdomen hurt during menstruation? The answer lies in the characteristics of the menstrual cycle. This is a process of preparation forconception of a child. Its main components are two phases, estrogen and progesterone.
Initially, the maturation of follicles containing eggs occurs (respectively, in the ovary). One or two of them become dominant. Then in the uterine cavity there is already preparation for their fertilization. If it does not happen, the cells die. And then the rejection of the endometrium follows. This is the name of the cells of the mucous membrane lining the uterus. The process can be divided into several additional phases.
Phases of the menstrual cycle
Why did the lower abdomen hurt before menstruation? The syndrome of painful menstruation is associated with the processes occurring in the body of a woman during this period. They are divided into four phases:
- Phase of rejection. This is the first day of menstruation. The mucous membrane exfoliates from the walls of the uterus and comes out with blood. At the same time, the uterus itself is reduced. The lower abdomen hurts a lot before menstruation in most cases precisely because of these contractions. Some experts call the process "rehearsal of childbirth." This opinion takes place, since the hormonal background at the birth of a child and during menstruation is very similar. The rejection phase normally lasts 3-5 days.
- Recovery phase. Usually this is the 4th-6th day of the menstrual cycle. At this time, the epithelial layer is restored - it lines the wounded inner surface of the uterus.
- Follicular phase. This is the name of the 6-14th day of the menstrual cycle. At this time, the lining of the uterus is updated. At the same time, new follicles with eggs mature. Phase endsovulation. The follicles turn into the so-called corpus luteum, which prepares the uterine mucosa to receive a fertilized egg.
- Luteal phase. The period lasts from the 14th to the 28th day of the cycle. The endometrium here is greatly thickened due to the secretion of the glands of the uterus. The mucous membrane of the organ swells, thereby creating favorable conditions for the unborn fetus. The egg leaves the follicle and travels down the oviduct, awaiting fertilization. Accordingly, the luteal phase can end with either fertilization or rejection of the outdated mucosa and resorption of the resulting corpus luteum.
Estrogen and progesterone phases
On the basis of what are these phases distinguished? As for the hormonal plan, on the 1-14th day of the menstrual cycle, the female body is under the influence of estrogen (mostly estradiol). But on the 14th-28th day, the effect of another hormone, progesterone, is the greatest.
It is on this basis that sometimes the menstrual cycle is divided into two stages - estrogen and progesterone. The first will correspond to the follicular stage, and the second to the luteal.
However, the above distribution of the menstrual cycle by phases is a classic. It is suitable only for those girls for whom this period is equal to the standard 28 days. But in practice, the duration of the menstrual cycle for each woman is individual. Therefore, the length of each of the phases may vary.
Pain is the norm?
Why did the lower abdomen hurtbefore menses? This is fine? As for the norm, all phases of the menstrual cycle are natural, which is why they should pass without pain. But in practice, many women and girls suffer from discomfort and pain in the first stage of the cycle.
If the lower abdomen hurts a lot before menstruation, this is usually associated with rejection of the uterine mucosa. The pain appears a few hours before the onset of menstruation. Along with it come the first spotting. Painful sensations are localized in the area of the pelvic organs. Pain may radiate to the lower back or femoral region.
If the lower abdomen hurts before the start of menstruation, this is only one of the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. On an individual basis, a girl, a woman can notice the following symptoms in herself:
- Headaches.
- Indigestion.
- General weakness, loss of working capacity.
- Nausea and vomiting.
These manifestations can torment a woman for several hours and for several days. In some cases, towards the middle or towards the end of the processes of menstruation, they even increase. According to the severity of these symptoms, the patient is diagnosed with "dysmenorrhea".
It hurts the lower abdomen before menstruation. The causes of this condition, dysmenorrhea, are many:
- Psychogenic factors.
- Individual low pain threshold.
- Organic pathologies of the organs of the reproductive system. For example, uterine hyperreflexia, endometriosis.
Main reasonssyndrome
If your stomach hurts for a week before your period, what can it mean? Only your gynecologist will give a specific answer. After all, dysmenorrhea can be caused not only by natural, non-dangerous, but also by pathological causes.
If a woman is he althy, but every menstruation turns into pain for her, there are two main expert explanations:
- Why did the lower abdomen hurt before menstruation? The first position takes into account the importance of the psychological factor, as well as the physiological type of a woman. Mostly young girls of the asthenic type suffer from pain. They have a neurasthenic or labile-hysteroid personality characteristic. Accordingly, the expectation of the upcoming menstruation can cause an anxiety-neurotic disorder, which leads to a psychogenic decrease in the pain threshold. This means that even minor pains are perceived by the body stronger than they actually are.
- Several days before menstruation, the lower abdomen hurts. What does this mean? Another explanation is based on the fact that menstrual blood contains an increased concentration of prostaglandins. Those biologically active substances that regulate both the contraction of the uterus and the work of the vessels of this organ, the intensity of pain perception, etc. And excessive production of these substances can lead to negative consequences for the body: uterine circulation deficiency, sharp muscle spasms of the organ, an objectively strong painful sensation in the lower abdomen.
Classificationsyndrome
The lower abdomen hurts a lot before menstruation. This is not a temporary disorder. Dysmenorrhea is listed in ICD-10, the International Classification of Diseases. In the directory, it is divided into several categories:
- Primary (or functional). If the lower abdomen hurts before the first menstruation (as with subsequent menstruation) - in this category it is a completely non-pathological syndrome. This is only an individual flow of the menstrual cycle, which does not require intervention, treatment.
- Recycled (or organic). If the lower abdomen hurts a week before menstruation, this may also indicate the pathological cause of the syndrome. In particular, it can be caused by diseases, structural changes in the reproductive system. For example, endometriosis, various inflammatory processes affecting the genitals, anomalies of the genital organs, uterine fibroids, inflammation of the fallopian tubes.
- Unspecified (menstrual pain of unknown origin).
Also, four types of dysmenorrhea are distinguished by severity:
- Mild.
- Moderate.
- Strong.
- Maximum degree of disease.
When does pain begin?
How long does the lower abdomen hurt before menstruation? It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer to this question, since this is an individual indicator. Some women begin to notice pain in the abdomen, in the mammary glands 1-2 days before the onset of menstruation. Others - in 1-2 weeks. At the same time, abdominal pain andbreasts may not appear at the same time.
If we turn to the average numbers, then pain occurs 1-14 days before the onset of menstruation. PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms come to a woman:
- Drawing pains in the lower abdomen.
- Breast engorgement.
- Increased irritability, which can reach tearfulness (due to changes in hormonal levels).
None of this is pathological. However, you should definitely consult a doctor in the following cases:
- Pain in the mammary glands, abdomen appeared long before menstruation (2 weeks and earlier).
- The pain is severe, it is unbearable, it came on suddenly.
- Chest feels painfully tight.
- Pain in the mammary glands, abdomen remained after the end of menstruation.
- PMS accompanied by severe headache.
Symptomatic treatment
If the lower abdomen hurts on the right or left before menstruation, you should definitely consult a gynecologist to rule out the pathological causes of dysmenorrhea. If this is the natural behavior of your body, and not a consequence of diseases, you will be shown symptomatic therapy aimed specifically at eliminating, reducing pain.
To do this, patients are assigned the following means:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Myotropic antispasmodics.
- Combined pain medications. These products contain NSAIDs in equal amounts,analgesics, weak psychostimulants, antispasmodic components. These drugs, according to statistics, help to get rid of the pain of 71% of patients.
But you shouldn't prescribe NSAIDs on your own. After all, these drugs thin the blood, which increases menstrual bleeding. The doctor should prescribe such a medicine to the patient, judging by the state of her body.
The lower abdomen hurts a week before menstruation. How to deal with it? Phytotherapy has been successfully used as an adjunct treatment. In particular, complex homeopathic preparations, biologically active additives. To alleviate the manifestations of dysmenorrhea, apply:
- Meadow lumbago.
- St. John's wort.
- Marjoram.
- Vitex sacred.
- Rosemary officinalis.
Treatment of primary and secondary forms of dysmenorrhea
Since in the secondary form of the disease the cause of pain during menstruation is precisely the main disease, dysmenorrhea is eliminated by its complete cure. The doctor prescribes the necessary treatment for the patient.
As for primary dysmenorrhea, adjusting your diet and lifestyle helps get rid of an unpleasant symptom. According to the results of studies and surveys, it manifests itself most clearly in girls and women whose work is associated with psychological stress and stress. And also in patients who, during work, are forced to stay in the same static position for a long time.
It was also found that women with brightthe manifestation of symptoms of dysmenorrhea is most often observed signs of hypovitaminosis - a lack of essential minerals and vitamins for the body. Therefore, the prevention of pain is often the intake of vitamin complexes as prescribed by a doctor. In particular, this method is recommended for non-sexual girls with mild symptoms of dysmenorrhea.
Women, as a preventive measure, gynecologists often prescribe COCs - combined oral contraceptives. These drugs can reduce the amount of bleeding during menstruation due to the suppression of ovulation and the growth of the endometrium. In some cases, COCs are combined with analgesics.
Also for primary dysmenorrhea, the following may be prescribed:
- Sedative drugs of varying intensity - from herbal supplements to tranquilizers.
- Antioxidants that can normalize the production of prostaglandins. In particular, vitamin E.
- Magnesium citrate, magnesium absorbate and other magnesium preparations that both relieve symptoms of dehydration and alleviate feelings of anxiety.
- In some cases, patients are offered phytoestrogens as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. However, the opinions of medical specialists on the account of these funds are contradictory.
In addition, observations of girls and women who turned to an active lifestyle, jogging, going to the gym, showed that periodic sports can ease pain during menstruation.
Reviews
Does your lower abdomen hurt before your period? In reviewsgirls and women about this condition, there are many ways to alleviate the symptom. Note that these tips are individual:
- Try to move more, walk, play sports - so you will feel less pain in your stomach.
- Wear comfortable underwear, loose clothing that does not compress the mammary glands.
- For some relief, take a warm shower.
- Be sure to get enough sleep - lack of sleep, overwork will aggravate your condition.
- Refer to yoga practice, meditation.
- Rethink your menu: give up spicy and spicy dishes, sweets. Give preference to vegetable dishes and boiled meat.
Pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation is a problem faced by many women and girls. If dysmenorrhea manifests itself very brightly, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor who will prescribe the necessary treatment.
