ADVERTISEMENT

Here's Why You Get Back Pain On Your Period—And What To Do About It, According To An MD

Your period is a pain enough as it is: You might have cramps that range from slightly uncomfortable to debilitating each month, and even persistent headaches , too. And theres a chance you also experience period back pain. WTH?

This Is Why Your Back Hurts On Your Period

Its estimated that 40 to 50 percent of people deal with back pain during menstruation, though its an underrepresented symptom that patients arent routinely asked about, so those percentages may be higher, says Stacey Missmer , ScD, professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. The back discomfort (which typically affects the low back) could turn up as a normal symptom of your period each month, or it could be tied to an underlying reproductive condition, including endometriosis and uterine fibroids , experts point out.

First, its important to confer with your ob-gyn if youre having terrible back pain that could be related to your period before you try to manage the discomfort on your own, because it may be a sign of one of the above conditions.

But for occasional back pain that comes along with your period, there are ways you can relieve the pain on your own at home. Or, there are more serious medical remedies if your period-related back pain just isnt getting better and is impacting your day-to-day life.

Ahead, doctors explain what might be behind your period back painand how to help it melt away.

ADVERTISEMENT

Typically, if youre going to experience period back pain, its within the first six days of your cycle, Dr. Missmer says. The back discomfort is usually associated with primary dysmenorrhea, a medical term to describe cramps or pelvic pain that come along with your period each month. Over 80 percent of people who menstruate likely have some kind of primary dysmenorrhea during their periods. (FYI, secondary dysmenorrhea is when cramps and pain are related to an underlying reproductive disorderbut more on that in a minute.)

Period back pain (and primary dysmenorrhea in general) likely has to do with changes in prostaglandins, which are hormones that cause the uterus to contract during your period in order to shed its liningand that added pressure can also contribute to pelvic and back pain, says Lisa Masterson , MD, ob-gyn and founder of Ocean Oasis Day Spa in Santa Monica, California. Dysmenorrhea can be mild and easily cured by popping an over-the-counter pain reliever, or the pain can be severe enough where its difficult to function.

In some cases, back pain may happen before your period actually does, but its less common. PMS symptoms (which occur ahead of your period) are more commonly breast tenderness, bloating, irritability, and headaches, explains Dr. Masterson. Symptoms of premenstrual dypshoric disorder (or PMDD, an extreme form of PMS) can include physical pain like cramps and back aches. But PMDD more often impacts mental health, causing crippling depression, mood swings, and brain fog.

ADVERTISEMENT

Another potential cause of period back pain is secondary dysmenorrhea, or period-related pain caused by another reproductive condition. One common condition that causes back pain, especially during menstruation, is endometriosis . "Endometriosis involves the tissue from the lining of the uterus implanting itself outside the uterus, and potentially causing cysts on or around the ovaries," Dr. Masterson says. "Implantation of the endometrial tissue in the pelvis can also cause pelvic and back pain."

For people with endometriosis, the pain might continue throughout their cycle, not just during the days of their period, Dr. Missmer points out. Similarly, she says, adenomyosis, a condition where the endometrial tissue grows in the uterine muscles, often makes pelvic and back pain worse.

Typical period back pain usually occurs within the first six days of your cycle, Dr. Missmer says.

Basically, any condition that causes chronic inflammation and pain to the pelvic area, can also cause low back pain, research supports. Infections of the fallopian tubes or abscesses on the ovaries can be responsible for period back pain as well. Other infections, like pelvic inflammatory disease, often build up fluid and inflammation in the pelvis and can add to back pain during your period, Dr. Masterson says.

Uterine fibroids are also a common source of back pain and crampsessentially, a benign tumor is growing on the uterus, where it shouldnt be, explains Dr. Masterson. Many people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience low back pain, too, as they typically have very heavy periods, which may involve congestion of blood leaving the uterus, and therefore cramping and pain both in and behind the uterus.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you have primary dysmenorrhea and a surge in prostaglandins at the beginning of your period is the problem, taking a prostaglandin inhibitor like ibuprofen should help in many cases, Dr. Masterson says. If heavy periods are the main issue, whether thats due to endometriosis, PCOS, or your normal cycle, hormonal birth control pills or injections containing the hormone progesterone can help decrease bleeding, she adds.

There are other medical interventions for moderate low back pain; physical or chiropractic therapy, massage, and acupuncture may provide relief, Dr. Missmer says. If the pain is chronic and severe, meaning it's interfering with your ability to attend, work, school, or your regular activities, its important to consult a gynecologic pelvic pain specialist to work through the pain, she says.

Surgical treatments may be a *last resort* for second dysmenorrhea; some options include a myomectomy, which can remove uterine fibroids, an endometrial ablation, to remove the uterine lining and basically stop menstrual flow, or a hysterectomy, to remove the uterus altogether.

ADVERTISEMENT

In many cases, you can treat your typical monthly period back pain with home remedies. Here are some expert-recommended tips to soothe your back aches during that time of the month.

  1. Try hot and cold therapy. Hot baths and heating pads on your back can help relieve pain, as can alternating between heat and ice to relax the muscles.
  2. Get sweating. Dr. Missmer recommends yoga and Pilates for stabilizing the core muscles, which may make regular period pain more manageable. Studies have also found that yoga can be just as effective as physical therapy in treating chronic low back pain.
  3. Make dietary adjustments, and consider a supp. Eating a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet is good for you anyway, but a high-protein, low-sugar diet can also reduce the inflammation that contributes to period-related pelvic and back pain. Its also a good idea to reduce your alcohol intake, since that can worsen inflammation. Dr. Masterson advises adding vitamin supplements like folic acid, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and calcium to help support healthy blood flow and decrease pain.
  4. Use the right menstrual products. Believe it or not, your choice of period products can affect your pain. If you use tampons and have a heavy flow, use a larger tamponbut not too large for your flow, as too much physical expansion of the tampon can add to pelvic and back pain, Dr. Masterson says.
  5. Quit smoking. If youre smoking, you should stop for many other health reasons. But smoking can increase your risk for chronic pain, too, Dr. Missmer says, and it wont make you feel any better during your time of the month either.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

A billionaire is building a new Titanic ship — when is the first trip?

A billionaire is building a new Titanic ship — when is the first trip?

Anyone who lives in this beautiful villa is cursed with bad luck

Anyone who lives in this beautiful villa is cursed with bad luck

Sony’s creators convention redefines creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines creative landscape for content creators

Abortion, cohabitation and other 'sins' Catholic Church does not forgive

Abortion, cohabitation and other 'sins' Catholic Church does not forgive

5 drinks that stain teeth and how to keep your teeth white

5 drinks that stain teeth and how to keep your teeth white

5 tips for escaping a car sinking underwater

5 tips for escaping a car sinking underwater

The largest snake in the world Ana Julia is dead — unknown gunmen suspected

The largest snake in the world Ana Julia is dead — unknown gunmen suspected

10 sexual benefits of watermelon for men and women

10 sexual benefits of watermelon for men and women

8 sexual benefits of ginger for men and women

8 sexual benefits of ginger for men and women

10 Sex Positions for Super-Deep Penetration

10 Sex Positions for Super-Deep Penetration

What It Feels Like to Use a Butt Plug While Masturbating

What It Feels Like to Use a Butt Plug While Masturbating

11 Ways Men Can Make Their Orgasms Even Better

11 Ways Men Can Make Their Orgasms Even Better

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT