Menstruation is a natural process in a woman's life that speaks of her ability to bear children. Often this period is accompanied by a feeling of discomfort or pain, which can cause significant inconvenience. One of the unpleasant symptoms is bloating during menstruation. This condition in most cases is physiological in nature and occurs due to hormonal changes. But sometimes bloating during menstruation indicates the development of serious diseases. Let's take a closer look at the causes and treatments for this condition.
Description
Bloating is a condition in the intestines in which gases accumulate in it, unable to leave the body on their own. This is one of the signs of premenstrual syndrome. Many are interested in the question of how bloating before menstruation for how many days can appear. This symptom occurs one to two weeks beforemenses. Bloating during menstruation appears due to hormonal changes that occur in the female body. In particular, this condition causes a change in the level of progesterone and estrogen in the blood. But do not forget that sometimes bloating is provoked by more dangerous diseases - gastritis, inflammation of the appendix or malignant tumors.
Reasons
The causes of bloating before menstruation are quite extensive. For convenience of classification, they are usually divided into the following types:
- Physiological. At the same time, the feeling of bloating is a normal condition, which is due to the action of hormones. In the vast majority of cases, this symptom disappears after the onset of menstruation. Usually does not require medical intervention.
- Pathological, indicating the development of a serious disease. Bloating may be accompanied by severe pain, cramps. It is necessary to contact a medical institution as soon as possible, where a comprehensive examination will be carried out.
Physiological causes
Physiological causes of menstrual bloating include the following:
- Hormonal restructuring. After the end of ovulation, the body begins to prepare for a possible conception by increased production of certain hormones, in particular, progesterone. In this case, the uterus enlarges due to the influx of blood to it. This not only increases the volume of the abdomen, but also contributes to squeezing the intestines, which causes malfunctions in its work.
- Puffiness. This is a manifestation of the protective reaction of the body, since it is assumed that during menstruation a large amount of fluid, nutrients and trace elements will be lost. The body begins to store water. Some people may have swelling in their arms or legs, while others may have a bloated stomach.
- Ovulation. During this period, there is an active production of female hormones, which can cause bloating and flatulence.
- Pregnancy. In the first weeks, bloating can be confused with a harbinger of menstruation. A distinctive feature will be that if the swelling is caused by pregnancy, the abdomen will be hard on palpation.
Pathological causes
Normally, swelling of the abdominal walls should not bring significant discomfort. But if such a condition is accompanied by sharp pain, loud rumbling and other similar symptoms, this may indicate the development of a pathological process.
Let's look at the most common reasons:
- Diseases of the genitourinary system. For example, if there is bloating during menstruation, pain, swelling of the limbs and face, general weakness, bags under the eyes, then this may indicate nephritis.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. When the hormonal background changes, they exacerbate. Due to the influx of blood and an increase in the uterus, gas formation occurs, which bursts the abdominal cavity. There may also be spasms, flatulence, stool disorders, nausea. A distinctive feature is the appearance of sharp pains in the navel.
- Pathological processes in the pelvic organs. In this case, there may be cramping pains that radiate to the lower back or anus, the discharge changes. Stool disorders are rare.
- Tumor processes that can compress the intestines, disrupting its work.
If there is bloating with a delay in menstruation, a negative pregnancy test may indicate a pathological process taking place in the female reproductive system. It is necessary to consult a doctor and pass tests, as a result of which therapy will be prescribed.
Bloating and Pregnancy
Often, signs of pregnancy are confused with premenstrual syndrome. If there is bloating during a delay in menstruation, you should pay attention to other signs of successful conception - dizziness, mood swings, swelling and soreness of the chest, weakness, nausea. If pregnancy is suspected, a special test should be performed and a doctor should be consulted.
Ovulation
Many women experience bloating after their period, around the middle of their cycle. This may indicate the period of ovulation, which is sometimes accompanied by painful sensations of a pulling nature, stool disorders, and general malaise. This condition, as a rule, passes within two days, and sometimes several hours. To confirm the release of the egg, you can use special express tests.
Unhe althy diet
Bloating during menstruation can also provoke the wrong diet. Manyproducts can cause increased gas formation and cramping pain, and under the influence of hormonal surges, these manifestations occur much more often. Due to the fact that the uterus is enlarged, there is squeezing of the intestines, which interferes with the normal digestion of food, which also increases the risk of bloating. To minimize unpleasant symptoms, certain foods should be excluded from the diet and certain rules should be followed. Consider them in more detail.
- Meals should be fractional and consist of small portions.
- Reduce s alt intake.
- In order for the body not to feel a lack of fluid and, therefore, not to begin to accumulate it in large quantities, it is necessary to establish a drinking regimen. Experts recommend drinking at least two liters of water a day.
Foods to limit or eliminate entirely include:
- Cabbage.
- Beans.
- Black bread.
- Fried meat and fish.
- Smoked products.
- Beer.
- Celery.
- Fresh milk.
- Muffin.
- Foods with high sugar content.
- Strong coffee and tea.
- Alcohol.
- Chocolate.
- Soda drinks.
Foods that help fight gas include the following:
- Pineapple.
- Garlic.
- Yam.
- Cucumbers.
- Tomatoes.
- Ginger.
- Peaches.
Diagnosis
As a rule, diagnostic measures are prescribed by a doctor in order to clarify a concomitant diagnosis. The following laboratory and instrumental studies are used:
- General analysis of urine and blood.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Coprogram.
- Endoscopy.
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs and abdominal cavity.
- Sometimes more serious examinations may be required. For example, laparoscopy or MRI.
Possible treatment
To prevent or get rid of bloating during menstruation, not only dietary adjustments, but also drug therapy, as well as the use of traditional medicine, will help. Moderate physical activity and outdoor walks are recommended.
It is worth remembering that if signs of serious pathological conditions are added to bloating, you need to seek qualified help and pass all the necessary tests to clarify the cause of this condition. Below are the main treatment options for bloating.
Medicated treatment
Drugs that help fight increased gas formation should be prescribed by the attending physician based on the characteristics of the woman's body and associated symptoms. It is worth remembering that the use of medications should be prescribed after excluding the fact of pregnancy, since many drugs are prohibited during the period of bearing a baby.
The most effective means in the fightwith bloating are the following medicines:
- "Espumizan". Promotes painless and rapid passage of gases.
- "Motilium". Accelerates intestinal peristalsis.
- "Antarate". It is a carminative.
- "No-shpa", "Spazmalgon". Belong to the category of antispasmodics. Eliminate pain, spasms and relax the muscles of both the uterus and intestines.
- White coal, "Enterosgel", "Polysorb" - sorbents.
- "Linex", "Bifiform" - contain beneficial bacteria that improve bowel function.
- Diuretics.
- Vitamin therapy, in particular vitamins B, E and C are recommended.
- Sedation and pain medication may sometimes be prescribed.
Getting to the doctor, many women are interested in - if there is a systematic bloating before menstruation, how many days before they start it is necessary to take medication. Many experts recommend dieting 2 weeks before your period and medication as symptoms begin.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicines are good not only to cope with bloating, but also to prevent the occurrence of this symptom.
It is recommended to use decoctions and infusions of the following herbs:
- Chamomile.
- Cowberry.
- Cranberries.
- Melissa.
- Mint.
- Dill.
- Fennel.
- wormwood.
It should be remembered that the use of any herbs is possible only in the absence of allergic reactions and after consultation with your doctor. When using traditional medicine, women's reviews are in most cases positive.
Conclusion
Bloating during menstruation is a normal condition due to the activity of hormones. If the symptoms disappear on their own after a while and do not bring significant discomfort, you should not worry. But if the symptoms increase, you should contact a specialist who will conduct an examination and prescribe diagnostic measures.
You need to learn to listen to your body, as the usual bloating, which can be mistaken for a manifestation of premenstrual syndrome, can be a sign of a serious, and sometimes dangerous disease. It is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the doctor and periodically conduct a special massage or therapeutic exercises. Also, do not neglect the means of traditional medicine, but their intake should be agreed with your doctor.
