What causes diarrhea during menstruation. How to alleviate period-related digestive issues. When to seek medical attention for menstrual diarrhea. Which lifestyle changes can help manage period symptoms.

Understanding the Link Between Menstruation and Digestive Disturbances

Experiencing diarrhea during menstruation is a common occurrence for many women. While it may be uncomfortable and inconvenient, it’s generally considered a normal part of the menstrual cycle. The primary culprit behind this phenomenon is a group of compounds called prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins are produced by the uterus during menstruation and play a crucial role in the shedding of the uterine lining. However, these compounds can also affect other parts of the body, including the digestive system. When prostaglandin levels increase, they can stimulate contractions in the bowels, potentially leading to diarrhea.

The Role of Hormones in Menstrual Diarrhea

Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can significantly impact digestive function. As estrogen and progesterone levels change, they can affect gut motility and sensitivity. This hormonal dance can result in various gastrointestinal symptoms, with diarrhea being one of the most common.

• Increased prostaglandin production
• Heightened intestinal sensitivity
• Altered gut motility
• Changes in fluid and electrolyte balance

Recognizing the Symptoms of Period-Related Digestive Issues

Period diarrhea often presents alongside other menstrual symptoms. Identifying these signs can help women better prepare for and manage their monthly cycle.

Common Symptoms Associated with Menstrual Diarrhea

• Loose, watery stools
• Abdominal cramping
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Increased frequency of bowel movements

Are these symptoms always indicative of period-related diarrhea? Not necessarily. Similar symptoms can be caused by other factors such as food intolerances, stress, or underlying health conditions. It’s essential to track symptoms and their timing in relation to the menstrual cycle to determine if there’s a consistent pattern.

Exploring the Connection Between Endometriosis and Digestive Symptoms

For some women, menstrual diarrhea may be a sign of an underlying condition like endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often affecting nearby organs, including the intestines.

Up to one-third of women with endometriosis have endometrial tissue on their bowel. This can lead to more severe digestive symptoms during menstruation, including diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Distinguishing Between Normal Period Diarrhea and Endometriosis Symptoms

Can you differentiate between typical menstrual diarrhea and symptoms of endometriosis? While both can cause digestive disturbances, endometriosis-related symptoms tend to be more severe and may persist beyond the menstrual period. If you experience intense pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, or chronic digestive issues, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation.

Effective Strategies for Managing Period Diarrhea

While menstrual diarrhea can be uncomfortable, there are several strategies to alleviate symptoms and improve overall comfort during your period.

Dietary Modifications to Reduce Digestive Discomfort

1. Increase fiber intake gradually to promote regular bowel movements
2. Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte-rich beverages
3. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods that may irritate the digestive system
4. Consume probiotic-rich foods or supplements to support gut health
5. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals to ease digestion

Over-the-Counter Remedies for Period Diarrhea

Several over-the-counter medications can help manage menstrual diarrhea:

• Loperamide (Imodium): Slows down bowel movements and reduces fluid loss
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): Helps relieve diarrhea and associated abdominal discomfort
• Simethicone: Reduces gas and bloating often associated with diarrhea

Is it safe to take these medications regularly during your period? While occasional use is generally considered safe, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider before using any medication long-term, especially if symptoms persist or worsen.

Natural Remedies and Lifestyle Changes to Ease Menstrual Symptoms

In addition to medical interventions, many women find relief from menstrual diarrhea and associated symptoms through natural remedies and lifestyle modifications.

Herbal Teas and Supplements

• Chamomile tea: Known for its calming effects on the digestive system
• Peppermint tea: May help reduce abdominal cramps and bloating
• Ginger: Can alleviate nausea and support healthy digestion
• Calcium and magnesium supplements: May help reduce menstrual cramps and associated digestive issues

Stress Reduction Techniques

Stress can exacerbate menstrual symptoms, including diarrhea. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques into your routine can help manage these symptoms:

• Regular exercise, such as yoga or light cardio
• Meditation and deep breathing exercises
• Adequate sleep and rest
• Engaging in enjoyable hobbies or activities

How effective are these natural remedies in managing period diarrhea? While individual responses may vary, many women report significant improvement in their symptoms when incorporating these strategies consistently.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Menstrual Digestive Issues

While occasional diarrhea during menstruation is normal, certain symptoms may warrant medical attention. It’s important to recognize when to consult a healthcare provider.

Red Flags That Require Professional Evaluation

• Severe abdominal pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Diarrhea lasting more than 2-3 days
• Blood in the stool
• Signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, dark urine, dizziness)
• Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
• Unexplained weight loss

Should you track your menstrual and digestive symptoms? Absolutely. Keeping a symptom diary can help you identify patterns and provide valuable information to your healthcare provider if medical attention becomes necessary.

Exploring Hormonal Treatments for Menstrual Diarrhea

For women experiencing severe or persistent menstrual diarrhea, hormonal treatments may offer relief. These treatments work by regulating hormone levels throughout the menstrual cycle, potentially reducing prostaglandin production and associated digestive symptoms.

Types of Hormonal Treatments

• Combined oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• Progestin-only pills
• Hormonal IUDs
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists

Are hormonal treatments suitable for everyone experiencing menstrual diarrhea? Not necessarily. The decision to use hormonal treatments should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, considering individual health history, risk factors, and personal preferences.

Nutritional Strategies to Support Digestive Health During Menstruation

A balanced diet plays a crucial role in managing menstrual symptoms, including diarrhea. Certain nutrients can help support digestive health and alleviate discomfort during your period.

Key Nutrients for Menstrual Health

• Iron: Helps replace blood loss during menstruation
• Omega-3 fatty acids: May help reduce inflammation and menstrual pain
• Vitamin B6: Can alleviate bloating and mood changes
• Magnesium: May reduce cramping and improve sleep quality
• Zinc: Supports immune function and wound healing

Which foods are particularly beneficial during menstruation? Consider incorporating these nutrient-rich options into your diet:

• Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale) for iron and magnesium
• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines) for omega-3 fatty acids
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds) for vitamin B6 and zinc
• Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa) for complex carbohydrates and B vitamins
• Lean proteins (chicken, tofu) for sustained energy

The Impact of Exercise on Menstrual Symptoms and Digestive Health

Regular physical activity can have a positive impact on both menstrual symptoms and digestive health. Exercise helps regulate hormones, reduce stress, and promote healthy bowel function.

Benefits of Exercise During Menstruation

• Reduction in menstrual cramps and bloating
• Improved mood and energy levels
• Enhanced circulation and oxygenation
• Promotion of regular bowel movements
• Stress reduction and better sleep quality

What types of exercise are most beneficial during menstruation? Low to moderate-intensity activities are generally recommended, such as:

• Brisk walking or light jogging
• Swimming or water aerobics
• Yoga or Pilates
• Cycling or using an elliptical machine
• Light strength training

It’s important to listen to your body and adjust your exercise routine as needed during your menstrual cycle. Some women may prefer gentler activities during the first few days of their period when symptoms are typically more intense.

Understanding the Role of Gut Health in Menstrual Symptoms

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in overall health, including menstrual well-being. A healthy gut can help regulate inflammation, hormone balance, and immune function, potentially reducing the severity of menstrual symptoms like diarrhea.

Strategies to Support Gut Health

1. Consume a diverse range of plant-based foods
2. Include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut in your diet
3. Consider probiotic supplements after consulting with a healthcare provider
4. Minimize processed foods and added sugars
5. Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas
6. Manage stress through relaxation techniques and regular exercise

Can improving gut health alleviate menstrual diarrhea? While more research is needed, many women report improvements in digestive symptoms and overall menstrual comfort when focusing on gut health. It’s important to note that changes in gut health take time, so consistency is key.

The Psychological Impact of Menstrual Digestive Issues

Experiencing diarrhea and other digestive issues during menstruation can have a significant psychological impact. Many women report feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, and frustration related to these symptoms, which can affect their quality of life and social interactions.

Coping Strategies for Emotional Well-being

• Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that these symptoms are common and temporary
• Communicate openly with trusted friends, family members, or a therapist about your experiences
• Plan ahead for social events or work commitments, ensuring access to restrooms and necessary supplies
• Engage in relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to manage stress and anxiety
• Consider joining support groups or online communities for women with similar experiences

How can women build confidence despite menstrual digestive issues? Developing a reliable management plan, staying informed about your body’s patterns, and focusing on self-care can help boost confidence and reduce anxiety associated with menstrual symptoms.

Innovative Research and Future Treatments for Menstrual Diarrhea

As our understanding of the menstrual cycle and its impact on various body systems grows, researchers are exploring new approaches to managing menstrual symptoms, including diarrhea.

Emerging Areas of Research

• Targeted prostaglandin inhibitors with fewer side effects
• Personalized hormone therapy based on individual genetic profiles
• Gut microbiome interventions to improve menstrual health
• Novel delivery methods for existing treatments, such as transdermal patches or extended-release formulations
• Integration of wearable technology for more accurate symptom tracking and prediction

What potential breakthroughs are on the horizon for menstrual health? While it’s difficult to predict specific outcomes, ongoing research in areas such as personalized medicine, microbiome science, and hormone regulation holds promise for more effective and tailored treatments in the future.

As we continue to explore the complex relationship between menstruation and digestive health, it’s clear that a multifaceted approach is necessary. By combining medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, and a deeper understanding of individual patterns, women can effectively manage period-related diarrhea and improve their overall quality of life during menstruation.

Period Diarrhea: Causes, Treatment, and How to Manage It

Diarrhea related to your period doesn’t have to be accepted as just a normal part of the monthly cycle. There are things you can do to alleviate the discomfort or reduce the symptoms so you can feel confident and in control.

What Causes Diarrhea Before or During Your Period?

It’s perfectly normal to experience diarrhea with your period. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are two of the most common period-related gastrointestinal symptoms².

Although the mechanism is not fully understood, changes in hormones are believed to be responsible for gastrointestinal symptoms related to your menstrual cycle. A group of compounds called prostaglandins are thought to be responsible for these monthly inconveniences². This is because prostaglandins stimulate contractile activity in the bowels, which can lead to diarrhea².

Prostaglandins, Endometriosis, and Diarrhea

Prostaglandins are chemicals made by your uterus during your period. The muscles in your uterus can relax and get tighter because of prostaglandins and this can cause cramps³. Excess prostaglandins can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea. They can increase electrolyte secretion and muscle contractions, which can lead to looser stools².

Women with endometriosis may also suffer from diarrhea during menstruation⁴. This may be due to prostaglandins, or it may occur if endometrial tissue is growing around the intestines. Up to one-third of women with endometriosis have endometrial tissue on their bowel⁵. If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and are experiencing trouble managing diarrhea symptoms during menstruation, talk with your healthcare provider about your options.

Other general causes of diarrhea can include Stress, Food Intolerances, Medications, Food & Drink.

How to Stop, Manage, and Prevent Period Diarrhea

You can treat period-related diarrhea, not associated with endometriosis, the same way you would any other bout of diarrhea^1,6. Even without any treatment, menstrual diarrhea should clear up on its own once your hormone levels return to post-menstruation levels. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids to counteract the fluid loss from diarrhea.

If your diarrhea causes you discomfort or inconvenience—like having to put your plans on hold—there are ways you can try to relieve the symptoms.

Treating Diarrhea Symptoms

If you experience menstrual diarrhea, follow these steps to get back to normal more quickly:

• Hydrate with water, low-sugar fruit juice without pulp, or salty broth
• Consider taking an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal product such as IMODIUM. IMODIUM® products contain an active ingredient called loperamide, which works in harmony with your gut to help restore its natural rhythm.

Occasional diarrhea just before or during your period is completely normal. If it’s starting to get in the way of your everyday activities, there could be something else going on. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have:

• Diarrhea or other GI symptoms that worsen or last beyond two days
• Pain or cramping in the stomach or pelvis that’s hard to control with OTC medicines
• Stools with visible blood or mucus

Managing Menstrual Symptoms

Cramps and bloating are also common menstrual symptoms. Here are ways that you can prevent these issues⁷:

• Reduce stress and anxiety — Consider adding yoga or meditation to reduce extra stress you may feel during your period
• Get regular exercise — This can help some women with menstrual cramps
• Apply a heating pad to your abdomen or back — the heat can help relieve muscle cramps

References:

1. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/menstrual-abnormalities/dysmenorrhea
2. https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6874-14-14
3. https://medlineplus.gov/periodpain. html
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4229526
6. https://medlineplus.gov/diarrhea.html
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374944

Can Your Period Cause Diarrhea?

Managing Diarrhea During Your Period

Women who often experience bouts of diarrhea during their period should prepare for what is about to come.

“Try some agent that will slow [diarrhea] down,” says Marrero, such as loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). “If women can predict when it’s going to happen, they can start taking medication before symptoms start.” If the diarrhea is only occasional or isn’t bothersome, you donÆt have to do anything, since you know it will pass quickly.

More in Digestive Health

What to Eat and What to Avoid When You Have Diarrhea

Taking loperamide or another antidiarrheal can help soothe or prevent diarrhea symptoms, but make sure to check with your doctor before taking these medicines. Also, be sure to stay well-hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids. Bulking up on extra fiber can also help solidify loose stools and perhaps reduce your diarrhea symptoms. Another tip is to try to eat foods that contain active cultures of beneficial bacteria (probiotics), like the ones found in yogurt.

But, Marrero cautions, if you’re experiencing significant pain or bloody stools, the cause could be more serious than just PMS symptoms or dysmenorrhea. Endometriosis, a chronic illness affecting the reproductive system, can (although rarely) have an effect on the bowels, causing bloody stools.

RELATED: PMS and Your Emotional Health

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10 strange things that happen to your body during your period

LoveBeauty

Admit it, there is little fun in menstruation. I want to lie like a loaf on the bed, eat chips and lament, for which you are punished once a month. Yes, menstruation is a sign that you are healthy and fertile, which is actually good news. However, the body behaves capriciously, unpredictably, and not always in the way we expect it to.

Source

giphy.com

🔴 Pimples appear

The hormone progesterone, which is actively produced during PMS, is to blame. The sebaceous glands secrete more sebum, so the face and hair can look sloppy, even if you follow hygiene.

🔴 Increased appetite

French fries, chocolate ice cream, a bucket of nuggets? Give it all! Why, during menstruation, do you want to destroy all the food supplies in the house? Increased production of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone has a strong effect on appetite. Also during this period, excess fluid accumulates in the body, which leads to swelling and an additional couple of kilograms.

🔴 I want to sleep

Along with your blood, iron also leaves you, which leads to weakness, drowsiness and apathy. To restore the right level of this element in the body, eat foods with high levels of iron, such as seaweed or cocoa.

Hormones, brain, central nervous and reproductive systems all month before menstruation “plowed” for pregnancy to occur. If this does not happen, they want to “rest”, and you along with them. Also, weakness and drowsiness occur due to iron deficiency, which leaves with the blood. Give yourself time to sleep, do some yoga or clean up.

Source

giphy.com

🔴 Your thinking is worse (but it’s normal)

In 2014, a study was conducted in the UK to determine the effect of menstrual cramps on brain function. The researchers found that participants with menstrual cramps performed worse on attention tests, multitasked less, and showed reduced levels of productivity. The researchers add that more research is needed, but we already know that it is impossible to work during menstruation 🙄😪

🔴 You feel pain differently

Thank you, estrogen, for the low pain threshold. A Perceptual and Motor Skills study showed that women are more likely to experience pain during the menstrual and premenstrual phases of the cycle, as well as headaches, which is associated with lower estrogen levels. At the same time, even if you do not suffer much during your period, the body still reacts to pain differently.

🔴 You can experience cramps not only in the stomach

Usually, menstrual cramps are located in the abdomen and where the uterus is located (just below the navel). But for some women, the pain moves to the lower back and upper leg. This is due to the location of the nerves in the pelvic region: it resembles a kind of network, the parts of which are connected. It hurts in one place, but it is felt in another – miracles.

Source

giphy.com

🔴 Your voice changes her voice is enough for men to notice the difference. In the study, a group of women recorded their voice at regular intervals during their menstrual cycle. The researchers then asked the men to listen to the recordings and try to identify which of the recordings were made when the women were on their period. Men guessed correctly 35% of the time.

At another stage of the study, the men distributed records according to attractiveness. The voices of women during menstruation were found to be the least attractive. The researchers suggest that the results demonstrate the subconscious ability of men to determine when a woman is most fertile. Fertility peaks at ovulation and decreases during menstruation.

🔴 The likelihood of a bacterial infection increases

Several factors influence: the vulnerability of the genital organs to bacteria during menstruation and the warm-humid environment that arises from wearing pads. It is enough to observe basic intimate hygiene to reduce the likelihood of disease to nothing.

Source

giphy.com

🔴 You constantly want to go to the toilet

Having mild constipation a few days before your period and then loose stools during your period is normal. According to Seventeen, two separate factors can be blamed for this unpleasant symptom. Firstly, the amount of active substances of prostaglandins increases: they “inform” the uterus that it is time to contract in order to quickly get rid of an unnecessary egg. The problem is that the signal is picked up by the intestines, and begins to work hard for the company. Also, progesterone, which is intensively produced in PMS, affects the stool. The level of this hormone drops during menstruation, which eventually causes diarrhea.

🔴 You become more clumsy

Does it happen that during your period you feel like you are not yourself: you stumble, fall and drop things from your hands? Many women also complain that they feel unbalanced and clumsy during their periods. This behavior is associated with a number of factors, including hormonal changes, increased fatigue, and fluid retention in the body.

Dasha Amosova

Tags

• monthly

How to relieve painful periods – the blog of the medical center ON Clinic

Read 11 minutes
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Created: 9 July 2020
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Updated: November 25, 2022
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Menstruation is a physiological phenomenon that every woman of reproductive age faces every month.
For some women, critical days are accompanied by only slight discomfort and do not interfere with everyday life, but quite a few suffer from pain in the lower abdomen of varying intensity.

Severe pain before and during menstruation is characteristic of menstrual disorders, which is called dysmenorrhea or algomenorrhea. Such bouts of pain deplete the nervous system, reduce performance and limit a woman’s ability to lead a normal life.

What are the symptoms of menstruation?

Pain in the lower abdomen is the most common symptom of painful periods. But often, menstruation is accompanied by a range of other painful symptoms that are known to everyone as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and include:

• increased emotional sensitivity, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia and other emotional disorders;
• nausea, chills, bloating, increased frequency of urination;
• increased sweating, dry mouth;
• headache, dizziness;
• numbness of limbs;
• edema;
• pain in the lumbar region and in the joints.

What are period cramps?

One of the main causes of discomfort in the lower abdomen in women during menstruation is menstrual cramps – strong contractions of the muscular wall of the uterus (myometrium). Contractions of the muscles of the uterus during menstruation make it possible to more effectively remove the remains of the dead inner shell of the organ – the endometrium – from the organ cavity.

The endometrium is that part of the uterine wall into which the fertilized egg is implanted and which provides nutrition to the embryo in the first days of development. When fertilization does not occur, the female body begins to secrete substances (prostaglandins) that cause vasoconstriction in the endometrium, which leads to its death. This is when a woman begins her period. If this process is accompanied by pain, doctors talk about dysmenorrhea.

Why does my stomach hurt during menstruation?

The causes of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation can be different, so dysmenorrhea is divided into “primary” and “secondary”. With primary or physiological algomenorrhea, pain occurs against the background of an increase in the level of certain hormones. The same substances (prostaglandins) that cause vasospasm in the uterus increase the sensitivity of pain receptors, so women with a low pain threshold may experience severe discomfort. In addition, the hormones that regulate the contraction of the muscles of the uterus also affect the muscles of the intestines, the spasm of which can become an additional source of pain in the abdomen during menstruation.

Primary dysmenorrhea often occurs in girls during puberty, when the hormonal background is very unstable. Secondary algomenorrhea occurs more often in mature women as a symptom of another disease.

Is menstrual pain normal?

Pain during menstruation is considered normal if it occurs against the background of primary dysmenorrhea, that is, it is not a consequence of any disease. The intensity of such pain depends on the level of prostaglandins in the body and the individual sensitivity of the woman.

In secondary dysmenorrhea, pain occurs as a result of disturbances in the functioning of the reproductive or endocrine systems. Pain in this case is pathological in nature and can be strong enough to lead to temporary disability. Secondary algomenorrhea may be the result of:

• endometriosis;
• inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
• occurrence of neoplasms in the organs of the reproductive system;
• expansion of the pelvic veins;
• occurrence of adhesions after surgical interventions;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• narrowing of the cervical canal.

Why does my lower back hurt during menstruation?

Pain in the lower back during menstruation can occur due to physiological and pathological causes. Pain in the lower back during menstruation, as in the abdomen, often occurs due to contraction of the uterus and an increase in the sensitivity of pain receptors due to an increase in the level of prostaglandins and the hormone estrogen. Particularly severe back pain during critical days is experienced by women whose uterus is tilted back. Also, back pain during menstruation can occur due to:

• thyroid disorders;
• endometriosis;
• progesterone deficiency;
• tumors in the ovaries and uterus;
• inflammation and edema of the pelvic organs;
• disorders of the kidneys;
• violations of the water-salt balance of the body.

Causes of headache during menstruation

The mechanisms of headache during menstruation are not fully understood. But many doctors associate pain with fluctuations in the female hormonal background. The hypothesis is confirmed by an increase in the frequency of migraine attacks in women during menstruation, as well as the almost complete absence of migraine cases among girls who have not reached the age of puberty. In the international classification of headaches, migraine attacks that occur two days before the onset of menstruation, as well as within three days after their onset, are distinguished into a separate disease – menstrual migraine.

Anemia can also cause headaches during menstruation. Blood loss, albeit small, and a decrease in hemoglobin levels with iron deficiency in a woman’s diet lead to a deterioration in the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen. Due to insufficient supply of brain cells with oxygen, a headache occurs.

Can I take pills for pain during menstruation?

The treatment of dysmenorrhea is to alleviate its symptoms by acting on the mechanisms that cause pain during menstruation, so women can relieve severe pain with special drugs. High efficiency in the treatment of menstrual pain is shown by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which inhibit the action of the cyclooxygenase enzyme involved in the production of prostaglandins, while reducing spasm of the muscles of the uterine wall and blood vessels and reducing irritation of pain receptors.

But you should not take NSAIDs if you have contraindications (feeling nausea, pain in the stomach, have a diagnosed disease of the gastrointestinal tract or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding). In case NSAIDs are contraindicated or do not help, you can try to reduce pain with paracetamol, but it should be remembered that its effectiveness in the treatment of menstrual pain has not been proven.

Self-medication with over-the-counter pain medications is a temporary and unreliable measure for relieving menstrual cramps. To prescribe an effective and safe treatment for dysmenorrhea, you need to consult a doctor.

How can I relieve menstrual pain?

There are ways to prevent period pain that do not involve medication but have proven effective.

How to reduce pain during menstruation?

To reduce the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, a woman should:

• include in the diet foods rich in omega-3 acids (fish, nuts), which reduce the production of prostaglandins;
• eat foods rich in vitamins B1, B6, magnesium and calcium (cabbage, buckwheat, barley, oatmeal, bananas, legumes)
• limit caffeine in drinks (up to 300 mg per day), as it dehydrates the body, constricts blood vessels and increases spasms;
• drink enough water;
• provide moderate exercise even during critical days to improve blood flow;
• take a warm shower, put a heating pad on the stomach. Heat helps to relax the muscles, improves local blood circulation. But thermal procedures are contraindicated in women who have a tendency to heavy menstruation or a risk of bleeding.

In case of primary dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain may subside with time. But it is worth remembering that any home treatments can help only if pain does not occur against the background of a disease of the pelvic organs.

What to do about painful menstruation?

Pain during menstruation can be both physiological and indicate the development of a pathological process in the body. If pain occurs in the lower abdomen and in the back during menstruation, a woman needs to monitor the intensity of pain, the frequency of the entire menstrual cycle or its individual phases.

Any abnormal menstrual cycle or severe pain should be discussed with a gynecologist. Indeed, with painful menstruation, it is important to identify the cause of the ailment in order to choose an effective treatment.

Do I need to see a doctor if I have painful periods?

Although pain during menstruation may be physiological in nature and not pose a threat to a woman’s health, it is impossible to independently determine its cause, therefore, in case of painful periods, you should consult a gynecologist. You need to visit a doctor at:

• persistence of severe pain in the pelvic area even after the end of critical days;
• rash, diarrhea, fever during menstruation;
• increase in the duration of menstruation or the amount of discharge;
• the appearance of painful menstruation, if earlier critical days were painless.

At the consultation, the gynecologist will take a history and perform the necessary procedures to identify the cause of painful periods. In addition to interviewing the patient, the doctor conducts a physical examination, and may also prescribe:

• Ultrasound to assess the condition of the uterus and surrounding organs. Gynecological ultrasound allows you to notice structural changes in the tissues of the female reproductive organs, to identify cystic neoplasms and tumors;
• pregnancy test;
• cytological and bacteriological analysis of discharge from the cervix.

In the absence of visible causes of dysmenorrhea, an endocrinologist, urologist, gastroenterologist may be involved in the diagnosis. After establishing the nature of painful periods, the doctor may prescribe painkillers, combined oral contraceptives, and physiotherapy. In the case of secondary algomenorrhea, treatment of the underlying disease is also prescribed.

Popular questions

1. Is it possible to massage the abdomen during painful periods?

Menstrual massage can relieve pain, but should be done by a gynecologist. Massaging involves pressing on certain points, so incorrect movements can lead to increased discomfort and pain. To relieve pain during menstruation, you can use heat (heating pad or warm shower).

2. Why is my head spinning and my stomach hurts during menstruation?

Dizziness and abdominal pain during menstruation are associated with increased production of prostaglandins. Hormonal changes in the body increase the contractile activity of the uterus, which causes vasospasm and blood circulation is disturbed. In case of severe dizziness during menstruation, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist.

3. Is it possible to warm the stomach during painful periods?

Warming the abdomen or lower back with a heating pad, warm shower, or warming patches can help relax muscles and relieve pain and spasms. However, with heavy periods, warming up the abdomen can lead to increased bleeding (due to vasodilation).

4. How can you tell the difference between pain before your period and pregnancy?

In premenstrual syndrome (PMS), abdominal cramps usually occur 24-48 hours before the onset of menstruation. In early pregnancy, mild cramps are felt in the lower abdomen or lower back.