Specialists assure that pain is subjective because each person can be affected differently by the same event. This is seen in women every month during their menstrual cycle since there are some instances in which they do not manifest any discomfort. In contrast, others suffer so much distress that it is almost impossible for them to carry out their usual tasks such as going to work.
These discomforts can manifest in the head, lower back, breasts, but, mainly, it is evident in the belly. Although it is a disorder that can be normal, there are distinct possibilities that an underlying condition causes it. If you ask yourself: why my stomach hurts a lot when my period comes, we advise you to continue reading the following FastlyHealarticle.
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Severe belly pain during menstruation: causes
There are some situations in which menstrual pain is so severe that, at the same time, it causes nausea, vomiting, general malaise, irregular stool, cramps, and muscle discomfort. These intense pains in the belly are known as dysmenorrhea, and this is divided into two types that can be characterized as follows:
- Primary dysmenorrhea is a natural side effect of the menstrual period in women. It is suffered during the days that the bleeding lasts or only the first days after its appearance. Although it is a pain that can be very intense, it is not related to any health disorder that the uterus or various pelvic organs may have.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea: in these cases, belly pain during menstruation is caused by an underlying pathology that, generally, is related to a problem in one of the organs that make up the female reproductive system. In this circumstance, the pain and discomfort are usually much more substantial than those suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.
Although the pains associated with the rule are located in the abdominal area where the uterus and ovaries are found, the discomfort can extend to different areas such as the back vagina and even feel them in the rectum, joints, and bones.
As not all women suffer from severe pain during menstruation, in the vast majority who do, it is common for them to wonder why their stomach hurts a lot when their period comes. They appear when the muscular wall of the uterus contracts very intensely due to the action of prostaglandin, a hormone that drives inflammation and uterine contractions, causing bleeding and, at the same time, discomfort in the area.
However, in women with dysmenorrhea, it does not mean that their prostaglandin level is higher than in women who have a period without symptoms or with mild pain, since women with low levels of this hormone may also have muscular uterine contractions. For this reason, it is considered that suffering painful menstrual periods may be related to having a genetic predisposition or a family history with this disorder. It is also thought that the effect of prostaglandin can intensify with the type of diet that is maintained and under constant stress.
Also, other factors can contribute to the appearance of pain, such as the use of the IUD device or the excessive consumption of caffeine. In any of these circumstances, it continues to treat normal primary dysmenorrhea.
On the other hand, more severe cases are characterized as secondary dysmenorrhea. In this type, pain in the belly when menstruation falls can be associated with various disorders, such as endometriosis, inflammatory disease of the pelvis, uterine fibromyoma, ovarian cysts, ovarian or uterine cancer, ovaritis, salpingitis, vaginismus, vaginitis, among others.
How to make your period not hurt
Although it is essential to consult a specialist to detect primary or secondary dysmenorrhea, specific natural products can help considerably reduce pain when it is not so strong and when it comes to discomfort related simply to the course of the menstruation.
To relieve stomach pain during the period, applying heat to the belly using heating pads or hot water bottles is advisable. However, you can also choose to perform gentle massages in the area. Likewise, it is advisable to drink hot liquids and eat light foods that are easy and fast to digest.
On the other hand, it is best to keep your legs elevated when lying down to facilitate blood flow and engage in moderate exercises like regular walking or relaxation exercises such as yoga or meditation. The following article also shows other good home remedies for menstrual pain.
On the other hand, these natural methods can be accompanied by over-the-counter drugs, such as pain relievers. However, it is essential to consult a doctor and follow the professional’s instructions.
When to see a doctor for belly pain during your period
Although any woman can suffer from pain when she has her period, certain people are usually more likely to suffer from dysmenorrhea. Family history, lack of physical exercise, excessive consumption of caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol can contribute to the appearance of discomfort. Also, having an emotional imbalance can influence many women and suffer from some chronic pathology that affects the reproductive system.
Although many of the colics that accompany the period are considered normal, and it can be expected that these diminish as the days go by, it is necessary to go to a gynecologist if they occur in a severe way that interferes with daily activities, if they occur. They present in each cycle, if before there was menstruation with mild pain. In the last periods, you have intense colic if the pain radiates to other areas or causes other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting to appear.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my stomach hurt a lot when my period comes, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.