Before menstruation, the lower abdomen pulls and hurts. Diseases of the genitourinary system. In such situations we are talking about radiating pain

Quite often, representatives of the fairer sex learn about the approach of critical days without looking at the calendar, and accurately determine this date.

But if the lower abdomen hurts, as during menstruation, but there is no menstruation, this is the first signal that you should not put off going to the doctor.

The nature of such pain is not always pathological.

If the lower abdomen produces a slightly aching pain and it is short-lived, then the fairer sex has absolutely no reason to fear.

But when the pain becomes more frequent and becomes cramping, sometimes unbearable, this indicates signs of other pathologies.

Pain in the lower abdomen, as during menstruation, has various sources of origin. They come in both organic and functional varieties.

The organic origin of pain includes:

• Inflammation in the ovary;
• Benign tumors in the uterus;
• Neoplasms: cysts;
• Prolonged stay of the IUD in the uterus;
• Pathologies of a surgical nature;
• Disorders of the urinary system;
• Diseases occurring in the gallbladder;
• Pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy;
• Low placenta previa;
• Placental abruption occurs prematurely;
• Abortion and the condition after it.

Pain of functional origin occurs when:

The pain varies from aching to cramping.

Often the cause of their appearance is a disruption of the hormonal cycle. Pain that occurs after menstruation indicates the presence of endometriosis. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pain radiates to the lower abdomen.

In exceptional cases, pain begins as a response from the female body.

Why does my stomach hurt during menstruation?

Menstruation in a woman or girl is characterized by certain signs:

The duration of these pains is from 3 to 7 days.

Why does pain occur? Pain syndrome is present in functional states during menstruation. But it is also pathological in nature.

It is important to know! These pains, as during menstruation, in the lower abdomen are characteristic of inflammation occurring in the pelvic organs.

In gynecology, there is a name that characterizes the pain felt during menstruation. This physiological condition is called dysmenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea occurs:

• Primary;
• Secondary.

With primary dysmenorrhea, pain appears before menstruation. They last up to 4 days. This type of pathology is typical for girls from adolescence to 25 years.

These pains are accompanied by various dyspeptic disorders. Over time, the pain subsides after the baby is born.

During secondary dysmenorrhea, pain occurs only as a result of pathological changes in the area of ​​the pelvic organs. This is observed in middle age categories (after 30 years).

The following factors are related to such pathologies:

• use of an intrauterine device;
• inflammation occurring in the pelvis;
• endometriosis.

Sometimes severe pain in the lower abdomen in women is a harbinger of cancer.

Pain in the left lower abdomen in women

The lower abdomen hurts, as during menstruation, on the left side, not always with gynecological pathologies, sometimes this also happens with other diseases localized in this area.

In such situations we are talking about radiating pain:

• Section of the small intestine;
• Ureter and left kidney;
• Spleen;

Also, similar pain occurs due to:

A woman has pain in the right side of her lower abdomen

Pain in the right side of the abdomen indicates various diseases. They are often present when diagnosing appendicitis.

Appendicitis is swelling of the large intestine. Its main symptom is pain around the navel. It increases gradually, with nausea and an increase in temperature. Sometimes there may be flatulence.

The following reasons contribute to intestinal upset:

• stress;
• fast food;
• poor digestion.

It begins with a slight and infrequent tingling in the abdomen, often accompanied by flatulence and pain in the liver.

The second cause is stomach ulcer and duodenal disease. It begins with a burning sensation in the stomach and turns into pain, like during menstruation, which women feel in the lower abdomen.

Also, such a signal can indicate kidney disease and inflammation of the bladder. They are infectious in nature, but may also be due to hypothermia. The pain radiates to the right side of the lower abdomen.

ICD or pyelonephritis of the kidney on the right side - with such a disease the pain radiates to the right side of the back and down the abdomen.

Often, with diseases of the uterus, there is pain felt in the abdomen.

With cystic neoplasms, girls experience pain, like during menstruation, on the right side of the lower abdomen.

Pain occurs with benign ovarian tumors.

Often, girls make an appointment with a gynecologist when they feel pain in the lower abdomen and in the middle. They are felt in moments, but their character is constant.

To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor needs to examine the patient.

The examination includes:

• Gynecological examination;
• Taking a smear;
• Carrying out ultrasound diagnostics.

Upon completion of the examination, the doctor prescribes treatment:

The main causes and symptoms of pain that occurs in the lower abdomen:

• Various inflammations occurring in the intestines are characterized by constipation or loose stools. Occur due to malnutrition and various intestinal inflammations;
• During pregnancy, when the egg is fertilized, but not in all cases;
• Pain during menstruation is not uncommon. This is due to various physiological individual characteristics.

Women usually suffer from pain with:

• low pain threshold;
• fertilization of the egg;
• inflammation of the lining of the uterus inside.

In women, the lower abdomen hurts in the middle, as during menstruation. Causes

Pain in the lower abdomen in women, as during menstruation in the middle, occurs due to hormonal imbalance. This leads to the development of endometriosis.

The pain appears during menstruation and subsides only in the middle of menstruation. Treatment can be either medication or surgery.

Often pain in the lower abdomen in the middle appears with cystitis. First, a burning sensation begins, which is accompanied by itching, and then the pain in the lower abdomen sharply worsens and urination occurs.

The nature of this disease is infectious, and therefore it is required to undergo tests and take antimicrobial agents.

Pain may indicate inflammation in the organs that are present in the pelvis. They are typical for untreated infectious diseases acquired through sexual contact.

In the advanced form, pain occurs during sexual intercourse, as well as discharge in the form of mucus that has an unpleasant odor. Drug treatment is indicated.

These pains have two causes:

• Organic failures;
• Functional disorders.

The first reason includes:

Sharp and acute pain in the lower abdomen in women

Various reasons influence the acute pain that appears in the abdomen. You need to react to pain immediately and consult a doctor quickly. Self-medication is not recommended.

The main causes of acute pain in the lower abdomen:

• ovarian apoplexy;
• cystitis;
• renal colic;
• appendicitis;
• algodismenorrhea;
• ectopic pregnancy.

For these reasons, the following occurs:

Such pain occurs both against a functional background and in the presence of pathology. A lot depends on the symptoms.

These pathologies include:

• diseases of organs located in the pelvis, use of an intrauterine device;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• acute inflammation of the urinary system;
• disorders during pregnancy;
• presence of abortions.

Functional reasons include:

• disruptions in menstruation and ovulation process;
• bleeding from the uterus;
• stagnation of menstrual blood.

Nagging pain in the lower abdomen in women. Causes

With inflammation in the pelvis, the temperature rises, aching pain is felt in the lower abdomen, and when adnexitis occurs, it is localized in the side.

With endometritis, the pain is located closer to the middle of the abdomen and is constant. If there is disease of the ovaries or appendages, sharp pain will occur during palpation.

With endometritis, the pain can be aching and prolonged, the uterus is elevated.

To fight inflammation, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. Cholecystitis is often accompanied by persistent mild pain.

Cramping pain in the lower abdomen in women

Pain in the lower abdomen in the form of contractions indicates a serious illness. Young girls often experience pain during menstruation. They feel discomfort and pain during their first menstruation.

This condition is considered functional, and it is associated with increased sensitivity of the nerve endings of the uterus.

Sometimes such pain syndrome can manifest itself as a result of various congenital pathologies. Then the pain is cramping. They are characteristic of the complete absence of the menstrual cycle.

Basically, the pain is antispasmodic and very strong, lasting. In this condition, you need to immediately contact a specialist.

Cramping pain often occurs with an ectopic pregnancy. It begins with a deterioration in general condition and is recognized at a late stage. If you ignore this condition, death will occur.

When the fallopian tube ruptures, cramping pain is also present, which is subsequently accompanied by heavy bleeding. This condition is also life-threatening.

Cramping pain occurs due to acute inflammatory diseases of many pelvic organs.

It is necessary to pay attention to the course of menstruation. If they become painful, cramping in nature, then you should go to the gynecologist.

Among the secondary diseases, various inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract can be noted, especially acute intestinal conditions. For example, this may indicate intestinal obstruction, when urgent surgery will be needed.

The disease is characterized by high fever and attacks of severe pain. If help is not provided in time, the person will die. These pains often come at night.

Pain in early pregnancy - positive test: when it’s not dangerous

If a pregnant woman experiences painful sensations at the beginning of her term, the test is positive; this is not dangerous when they pass quickly, but this happens because the woman’s body prepares in advance for the development of the child in the womb.

Women feel pain:

• in the chest;
• lower abdomen;
• in the ovaries.

Sometimes a pregnant girl at the beginning of conception experiences nagging pains that occur in the lower abdomen. Often, they can be tolerated, as they are mild and often permanent.

Such pain is associated with pregnancy, when the uterus begins to grow and pregnancy hormones appear. These hormones are designed to soften the muscles and ligaments that are located in the pelvis.

Aching pain occurs because the corpus luteum grows in the pregnant woman’s body. When the egg gets rid of the follicle, a cyst immediately appears there, producing a hormone called progesterone.

This hormone is needed for a normal pregnancy. The cyst increases every day, and when it reaches a large size, it stretches the ovarian capsule, and therefore pain occurs.

In the early stages of pregnancy, these pains will not harm the baby.

Threat of miscarriage - how to identify and what to do

This terrible diagnosis made by doctors does not mean that the pregnant woman will eventually have a spontaneous miscarriage.

Doctors make a lot of efforts to maintain a pregnancy after a woman is diagnosed with a threatened miscarriage.

This diagnosis in a pregnant girl is accompanied by some symptoms: vaginal discharge– from pale pink to dark brown.

These discharges can be both scanty and abundant. At first they are insignificant, and then more frequent. The discharge is insignificant, but lasts for a long time. Severe spasmodic pain occurs in the lower abdomen.

When there is a threat of miscarriage, the pain is similar to that which happens during menstruation. It happens that bleeding occurs without pain.

If a pregnant woman notices that she has similar symptoms that indicate that she is at risk of miscarriage, she needs to lie down and first take the phone to immediately call a doctor at home. You need to lie down with your legs slightly elevated.

After receiving advice from a specialist, the pregnant woman, with the help of friends or relatives, should immediately go to the hospital to receive urgent medical care.

When she has severe bleeding, it is necessary to call an ambulance at home to provide initial assistance, and then take the pregnant woman to the gynecology.

Doctors pay attention to the fact that the woman does not get nervous while waiting for the doctor., for this she needs to drink a small dose of drops of motherwort or valerian tincture.

If the threat of miscarriage is real, then the woman is placed in an inpatient gynecological department, where she is treated.

What does it mean if there is white discharge?

If there is white discharge, this means that the fairer sex may be healthy or sick. It all depends on their color, smell and quantity.

Doctors consider the following to be completely healthy discharge from a woman’s vagina:

• White, almost transparent;
• Without smell;
• Watery consistency;
• With an amount per day from 2 to 5 mg.

Don't worry if they have a yellowish tint. He indicates that the girl has some deviations from the existing norm.

The fairer sex has significant white discharge, this indicates that they will soon begin their periods.

White discharge, indicating a woman’s illness, has the following distinctive properties:

• Curdled;
• With an unpleasant odor;
• Foamy;
• Accompanied by burning and itching.

These discharges indicate a disorder present in the body, as they are considered the body’s response to infection.

Lower abdomen hurts after intercourse

The lower abdomen hurts, as during menstruation after sexual intercourse in such cases as:

What if the ovary hurts before menstruation?

Experts advise women to make an appointment with a specialist at the slightest discomfort, especially if the lower abdomen hurts, as during menstruation. Only he has the right to diagnose and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Often, pain in the ovaries appears in females before menstruation. Doctors call this pain ovulatory syndrome.

The occurrence of such a syndrome is not dangerous, but doctors recommend that if it is present, you should see a specialist in order to rule out any diseases.

A woman's lower abdomen can hurt for many reasons, but not all of them pose a danger to a woman. It is still impossible not to react to them.

For any pain that occurs in the lower abdomen, it is best to consult a doctor and prevent the disease in time.

This video will tell you why the lower abdomen sometimes hurts, like during menstruation, and what diseases this symptom is a symptom of:

From this video you will learn how to cope with pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation:

Almost all women experience premenstrual syndrome, during which the stomach hurts before menstruation. Some people have severe pain, others less pain. But from her character you can understand that menstruation will come soon.

There are several reasons for the occurrence of premenstrual pain. And everyone who experiences them wants to find out why their stomach hurts before menstruation and how to alleviate their condition.

When should you not worry?

Painful sensations bring discomfort to a woman. And this discomfort has to be experienced every month for many years of life. But pain is not always associated with the presence of an illness in the body.

Aching pain that does not greatly annoy a woman and does not cause a deterioration in her general condition should not cause alarm. The source of pain is concentrated in the lower abdomen, but sometimes pain is also felt in the chest. You can take an antispasmodic. If the pain goes away, then there is nothing to worry about.

This pain is caused by the formation of a large amount of hormones before menstruation. This phenomenon happens every month. The body is in a state of anticipation of the endometrial layer being rejected. The pain that accompanies this process is called dysmenorrhea. It does not bring much discomfort to a woman, but minor manifestations are possible.

Before menstruation begins, a woman often experiences the following symptoms:

• irritation;
• unjustified tearfulness;
• unusual fatigue;
• pain when touching the mammary glands;
• mild pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar spine.

If the pain before menstruation becomes unbearable, it means that the body has begun to have disorders or inflammation in the female genital organs.

If the pain is severe

Sometimes a woman experiences significant pain. They are so strong that any movement brings suffering. It is impossible to do without painkillers. Pain before menstruation has various causes. All sorts of ailments can be behind them. Some of them lead to infertility. Possible urinary tract infections. There are also very severe cases leading to death.

A woman should start to worry in the following cases:

1. A week before menstruation, very severe cutting pain is observed. At the same time, body temperature rises. Sexual intercourse occurs with discomfort. The cycle is broken. This is how a disease associated with inflammation of the uterine appendages may manifest itself. Hypothermia contributes to this - many women, for the sake of fashion, do not wear warm underwear during cold weather. The disease can also be caused by bacteria - chlamydia and gonococci. It is necessary to treat the inflammatory process, otherwise infertility is guaranteed.
2. Endometriosis can cause pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation. Pain is not only a problem in the abdomen. They give to the back and legs. Every month the pain gets worse. Menstrual bleeding gradually becomes heavier. It is possible to discharge blood in the middle of the cycle. Endometriosis is diagnosed by a doctor. To do this, many tests are performed and other diagnostic tools are used.
3. Pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation with menstrual irregularities can also be observed with fibroids. Usually it does not manifest itself for a long time. But it may become inflamed or ruptured. In this case, the woman is hospitalized with severe bleeding, severe pain and fever.
4. The stomach hurts, as before menstruation, and with genitourinary infectious diseases. In addition to this, rashes, itching, and burning sensations in the female genital organs are observed. Among the accompanying symptoms are weakness throughout the body, headaches, back pain, discharge with pus and an unpleasant odor from the vagina.

All these conditions require immediate medical attention.

When is your health at risk?

2 serious conditions in which the stomach aches strongly, as before menstruation, are early termination of pregnancy (miscarriage) and ectopic pregnancy. Both are deadly for a woman, so immediate medical attention is required.

The following signs will help a woman understand that it is time to see a gynecologist:

1. My lower abdomen constantly hurts. Trying to alleviate the condition, the woman changes her body position. But that doesn't help. The pain begins to intensify when turning or bending the body. Minor vaginal discharge or bleeding appears. Most likely this is an ectopic pregnancy.
2. The pain is not so severe, but nagging in nature, scant brownish discharge indicates that termination of pregnancy is possible. And if it was confirmed, then you should immediately go to the hospital. If excessive discharge with acute pain begins, then a miscarriage has already occurred. We need to call an ambulance.

The lower abdomen may also hurt due to appendicitis. But in this case, the obligatory symptoms are vomiting and high fever. But even in this case, calling an ambulance is necessary.

What will help with discomfort

Prevention methods

Preventive measures include maintaining a correct lifestyle. The first thing you need to do is give up bad habits - smoking and drinking alcohol. This is especially important before the start of menstruation.

It is necessary to organize your day correctly: be sure to get enough sleep, distribute your workload throughout the day. Pain can be relieved through regular exercise. You need to choose a gymnastics complex and practice it daily. But we should not forget about rest.

It is necessary to constantly take vitamins and minerals. These may include pharmaceuticals and vitamin products. Fish, seafood, herbs, nuts, and dairy products are healthy.

With increasing body weight, pain before menstruation and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome may appear more often. To prevent this, you should monitor your weight. And if you are overweight, you need to bring it back to normal. This is also necessary for general health.

Don't get carried away with eating salty foods. Salt retains fluid in the body. And this leads to the appearance of edema, which provokes pain in the lower abdomen and spine.

Stomach hurts before menstruation, what to do, which doctor to see? If the pain is acute and unbearable, then, naturally, you need to call an ambulance. And the medical worker, doctor or paramedic who arrives will already decide whether to take you to the hospital or not, and will tell you which department. This could be the surgery department if, for example, you suspect intestinal obstruction, or gynecology if you suspect a ruptured ovarian cyst.

But we will consider non-emergency situations that often arise, and therefore raise so many questions among women.

1. Premenstrual syndrome. Can my stomach hurt before my period or is it very bad? For many women, about a week before the onset of menstruation, the stomach periodically begins to ache slightly. Many people consider this a sign of endometriosis. But this happens even in healthy women. And the closer the start of menstruation, the more often pain occurs. The noticeable effects begin 1-2 days before the critical days, the reason is a sharp decrease in the level of progesterone, which dampens the excitability of the endometrium. There is no pregnancy, progesterone drops, menstrual bleeding begins.

2. Pregnancy with threat of termination. If your stomach and chest hurt before your period, when they are about to begin, then this may be a threat of miscarriage in a very short time. The fact is that before the critical days, the mammary glands, on the contrary, stop hurting. If your stomach feels tight as before your period, and there is a possibility of a desired pregnancy, take a sensitive pregnancy test; it will show an accurate result 3-4 days before the start of the delay. But if it lasts, you will have time to go to the doctor to prescribe progesterone, because the lack of this particular hormone leads to contractions of the endometrium and provokes miscarriage. Of course, many women experience stomach pain in the early stages of pregnancy, but not everyone experiences a miscarriage. But it’s better not to risk the child you want. To start taking progesterone, contrary to popular belief, you do not need to take a test. If the expectant mother feels toned, and even more so if she has bleeding from the vagina, taking progesterone will be beneficial. When pregnancy, your stomach hurts like before your period, this is a reason to urgently take an antispasmodic. “No-shpa” (tablets) and “Papaverine hydrochloride” (suppositories) should always be on hand for the expectant mother.

3. The most common reasons why the stomach hurts before menstruation in non-pregnant women approximately 12 hours or less before the onset of menstruation is a pathology called dysmenorrhea. If a woman has had painful menstruation almost since her youth, this is most likely the explanation. The myometrium actively contracts and thereby provokes unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen. Pain before menstruation is treated with hormonal contraceptives or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - painkillers. "Ibuprofen", "Indomethacin", "Aspirin" and others. Combination medications containing an antispasmodic are also suitable. For example, "Baralgin".

4. Endometriosis. If your stomach often hurts before your period, spotting appears before the 21st day of the menstrual cycle, and you can’t conceive a child for a long time, it may well be that this very common gynecological disease is to blame. Endometriosis localized in the uterus is diagnosed by ultrasound. More precisely, the doctor can write a suspicion of its presence. The exact diagnosis is made during hysteroscopy - visual examination of the uterus with an optical device and during laparoscopy - if there are foci of endometriosis in the ovary, peritoneum, etc. If there are endometrioid formations, they are removed. But if endometriosis spreads in the muscular layer of the uterus (adenomyosis), it will not be possible to remove it. And if before menstruation the lower abdomen hurts due to adenomyosis, hormonal drugs are prescribed for treatment. These can be regular oral contraceptives, which are used to protect against unwanted pregnancy.

Many women, when their stomach hurts before menstruation, but they are not there, try various folk methods to hasten their onset. Parsley, lemon, and ascorbic acid are used. Many argue that good sex with orgasm can somewhat speed up the onset of menstruation.

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Experts say that almost half of women of childbearing age complain of nagging pain in the lower abdomen within a day or two. It must be said that any woman very subtly feels the onset of menstruation. For some, for others, the chest becomes fuller and heavier, someone feels pain in the lower back or psychological discomfort, manifested in a state of hopelessness and depression. In 90% of cases, worry is completely unnecessary.

When is pain before menstruation normal?

Most often, minor pain in the lower abdomen before directly depends on the amount of endorphins. These hormones are produced by neurons in the brain and are responsible for pain. They are popularly known as “happiness hormones”.

The secretion of endorphin is “subject to” progesterone and estrogen, the level of which is variable. A week before menstruation, progesterone is at its peak, although estrogen decreases slightly. A sharp drop in both hormones the day before leads to a similar drop in endorphin levels. Hormonal changes cannot go unnoticed, since they occur at the level of the central nervous system.

Pain in the lower abdomen can be the cause of premenstrual syndrome if it is characterized by a number of other symptoms such as:
an unbearable desire to hide from others and cry;
resentment towards everyone, which results in aggression;
weakness and headaches;
pain in the heart and shortness of breath;
excessive appetite;

In most cases, the condition does not require treatment, but if depression goes too far and affects the quality of family life, then you should consult a doctor.

Pain in the lower abdomen as a signal of functional impairment

Before menstruation and due to anatomical disorders (the uterus is tilted towards the back wall). Then both the stomach and . Sometimes the onset of menstruation is accompanied by diarrhea. Often, such problems affect women who have not given birth and whose pain disappears after childbirth.

Sometimes the cause of pain before menstruation is an insufficient luteal phase (from the release of the egg to menstruation). Prostaglandin hormones, which are responsible for uterine contractions and rejection of its inner layer, may begin to be produced ahead of time and with greater intensity, leading to failure of the entire cycle. Excessive activity of prostaglandins causes increased pain.

In any case, when the pain becomes unbearable or is eliminated with the help of medications only for a short time, you should urgently see a specialist. The cause may be intrauterine infections and inflammation, as well as problems in the thyroid gland, resulting in disruption of the regulation of hormone levels. Foreign bodies in the form of cysts and fibromatous nodes can also cause pain before menstruation. The presence can also be classified as “foreign”. Sometimes it is enough to take it out, and the pain disappears or does not cause significant discomfort.

Sources:

• I have a stomachache
• Causes of abdominal pain before menstruation

Many women determine the approach of menstruation by aching pain in the lower abdomen. For some it starts a week before menstruation, and for others a couple of days. The causes of such ailments can be both natural processes occurring in the body and disturbances in the functioning of the reproductive system.

Instructions

It's no secret that during the menstrual cycle the level of hormones changes, which give the signal to start. Female sex hormones control the production of so-called happiness hormones - endorphins. Accordingly, when estrogen and progesterone levels drop sharply before menstruation, so do endorphins. These hormonal changes affect both the physical and emotional state of a woman. In addition to abdominal pain, limb cramps, chest pain, mood swings, etc. may occur.

Another common cause of pain in the lower abdomen before is premenstrual syndrome. You are definitely dealing with PMS if, in addition to a nagging pain in your stomach, you feel sadness and apathy, and a desire to cry; experiencing unexplained aggression or anxiety; you get tired quickly; you want to sleep or, on the contrary, you suffer from insomnia; your feet and fingers swell; breast; stomach; shortness of breath. According to statistics, 85% of women on our planet suffer from premenstrual symptoms. The occurrence of the syndrome is associated with a complex of complex chemical reactions that regulate changes in hormonal levels, which, in turn, controls a woman’s sexual function. During this period, sodium is retained in the body; There is a deficiency of prostaglandin E1, associated with a special excitation of the cerebral cortex, which causes many symptoms of PMS. There is a disturbance in the metabolism of serotonin, dopamine, opioids and norepinephrine - the so-called neurotransmitters. This causes sudden mood swings

Many women are already accustomed to the fact that if the lower abdomen begins to pull, it means that menstruation is coming soon. Few people are seriously concerned when this symptom appears. There are several reasons why the lower abdomen hurts before menstruation, and not all of them indicate the presence of some kind of disease.

One of the simplest explanations for this phenomenon is a woman’s low pain threshold. Then any signs of the onset of menstruation are perceived acutely. Such ladies feel bad before the onset of menstruation, not only does their stomach begin to ache, but also, sometimes, their head and lower back hurt, apathy sets in and irritability increases. Unpleasant sensations are often explained by the characteristics of the female body.

Pain in the lower abdomen may also occur a week before your period. The reason for this is the normal hormonal changes in the body that occur every month.

Every month, an egg matures in the ovaries, ready for fertilization. When this does not happen, the cell is rejected, as is the endometrium - the upper layer of the mucous membrane of the walls of the uterus, where a fertilized cell would be attached. This whole process is associated with the release of a large dose of female hormones into the body.

This is what causes pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation. Usually such unpleasant sensations last no more than a day. There are no additional symptoms. If nothing else bothers the woman during this period, it means that the process is proceeding normally, and there is no reason to see a doctor.

PMS

Premenstrual symptoms affect many women and are known to become stronger with age. This condition affects not only the reproductive system when a woman is preparing for her period, but also affects the nervous and psychological state of women.

Usually during this period, irritability increases, there is a rapid change of mood, a constant nervous state, in some women, turning into mild hysteria. This is also the effect of female hormones. But in this case, the emotional state, close to the concept of stress, also affects the physical state. Then the woman gets tired quickly, sometimes she develops headaches and a stomach ache. But as soon as the menstrual cycle begins, all these symptoms disappear.

Infection

If pain in the lower abdomen occurs not only before the onset of menstruation, but also at other times of the cycle, or before menstruation they are most noticeable, this may indicate the presence of inflammation in the body. If such attacks are accompanied by nausea, pain radiates to the lower back, affecting the entire lower edge of the abdomen and groin, then perhaps this indicates the development of infectious diseases of the urinary tract.

Most often, cystitis manifests itself this way. Then the pain is localized in the lower abdomen on the right. The cause of the spread of infection in the body is a violation of hygiene rules, possible hypothermia, and the consequences of surgical intervention. If you have severe pain in the lower abdomen, it is better to immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment to get rid of the infection and relieve inflammation, which is the main cause of pain.

Algomenorrhea

A gynecological disorder when menstruation is very painful is called algomenorrhea. In this case, menstrual function is disrupted, that is, something in the process of releasing the egg and endometrium goes wrong.

It is in this case that pain in the lower abdomen is aching in nature; it can last for several days both before the onset of menstruation and in the first days of menstruation. Some women also experience pain in the sacral area.

Algomenorrhea is of two types: primary and secondary. In the case of primary pain, it is caused by the fact that the natural flow of menstrual flow is disrupted, and therefore the number and strength of spasms during contraction of the uterus increases. The reasons for this may be:

• an increase in the amount of prostaglandins - substances responsible for uterine contractions;
• intrauterine methods of contraception, for example, an installed device;
• diseases of the endocrine system that affect hormonal levels in general;
• incorrect position of the uterus with backward deviation.

Secondary algomenorrhea is caused by inflammatory processes that develop in the reproductive system or other pelvic organs. This is often a consequence of surgical interventions, such as abortion. In this case, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, the woman experiences aching discomfort in the lower back, nausea, and an increase in temperature.

Diagnosis in case of severe pain

If the pain becomes too severe, is accompanied by other symptoms, and the woman suspects that this may be the result of any disease, she should consult a doctor. During the examination, the gynecologist will find out when the pain occurs, what its nature is, where it is localized, what other ailments bother the patient before the onset of menstruation, and also how many days before the start of the cycle the pain begins to appear.

Next, an examination is carried out on a gynecological chair, palpation of the vaginal tissue, and examination using special mirrors. To clarify the cause of pain and diagnose a possible disease, you need to take urine and blood tests. The doctor will issue a referral for an ultrasound scan. If the cause is inflammation in the urinary tract, you need to undergo additional tests to diagnose the type of infection.

Additional studies such as laparoscopy or the study of scrapings of the mucous membrane of internal organs may be necessary. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, the doctor will prescribe complex therapy.

Treatment of diseases

Treatment primarily relieves pain. For this, non-steroidal drugs, analgesics or are used. The doctor will select the appropriate medicine for each patient individually.

The main therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs if the cause of the disease is infection. A vitamin complex and soothing tablets are prescribed, which can also be replaced with decoctions of medicinal herbs. It is important to take general strengthening medications and boost immunity.

After eliminating the cause of the disease, the specialist selects hormonal therapy for the patient in order to establish the menstrual cycle, which should also relieve the woman of pain in the future and completely restore the normal functioning of the reproductive organs.

How to prevent pain before your period

Simple rules that will help relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the onset of menstruation.

1. Try to eat right, eat less salty, spicy and fatty foods.
2. Reduce smoking and try to avoid drinking alcohol before your period.
3. Drink less fluid, as its accumulation in the body can also lead to pain in the lower abdomen and back before menstruation.
4. and avoid heavy physical activity in the last week before your period.

If your stomach starts to ache before your period, you can apply heat to it. It could be a heating pad, or just a bottle of hot water. Do special exercises that will help relieve pain: squats, bends, raising straight legs up, lying on your back. Breathing exercises help relieve spasms.