Why Do I Get Back Pain During My Period?

As you probably know already, periods aren`t fun at all. So, women should be understood if they just don`t want to get out of bed at all during this period of monthly time, especially when back pain starts to kick in.

And why the heck is your back throwing aches at you when the uterus is do one doing all the work?

Why Do Women Experience Back Pain during Period?

Firstly, there`s nothing wrong with your body. Back pain during period is something completely normal. You experience it due to uterine contractions, which tend to radiate through your nerves within the pelvic area.

As the body contracts to get rid of the uterine lining itself, sometimes it can push on the blood vessels in the region, limiting or even cutting off the oxygen supply to the muscles in the nearby area.

According to Dr. Houman Danesh, director of integrative pain management at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, lots of women experience back pain during menstruation. This particular pain occurs from the uterine contraction in an attempt of the uterus to shed the lining that has built up from the last menstrual cycle. This phenomenon is also known as “referred pain.”

Referred pain represents a pain that is felt in other body part than the actual source. If your period is near, the uterus may start contracting to prepare for the future activity. This is completely normal and common, and this pain might affect your lower back and thighs.

That being said, if your back pain have gotten worse in time, you might need to get in touch with a doctor. It might be a symptom of an infection, endometriosis or PID.

Also read: Is It Normal To Have A Headache While On Your Period?

Symptoms Associated with Back Pain during Period

When menstrual back pain starts within 24 hours from the onset of your period, it may continue for a few days. Other signs of period back pain may include:

• Dull ache.
• Menstrual cramps which tend to radiate to your thighs and lower back.
• Cramping or throbbing pain inside your uterus during menstruation.

Certain women may also have:

• Nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Loose bowels.
• Headache.

What Causes Back Pain during Period?

During a month menstrual cycle, a woman could have back pain or abdominal cramping. This medical condition is medically known as dysmenorrhea.

This term describes the muscles cramps which happen during the monthly cycle of a woman. The condition is the main cause of back pain, no matter if we are talking about upper back pain, lower back pain or on one side.

It might be a debilitating pain, but it isn`t a severe medical condition and it goes away within a couples of days from its onset. Severe or not, it`s rather painful and each woman experiencing back pain looks for treatment or home remedy.

Tips to Relieve Painful Back Pain

If you have always experienced menstrual back pain, chances are it is nothing to concern yourself. However, you should still talk to a physician if you aren`t able to perform your daily activities for more than a couple of days or you have noticed a unexpected change in your signs.

According to MayoClinic.org, most OTC anti-inflammatory medications will help with back pain. Use ibuprofen as it is meant for inflammation, offering a little more of an edge for it comes to relieving pain over acetaminophen. It`s also advisable resting up on a couch, a heating pad and a hot bath.

In addition, you should avoid products based on salt of caffeine. It`s also known that women who practice physical exercises on a regular basis experience less menstrual back pain and cramps. Maintaining a daily routine that should include yoga poses and light cardio (a walk in the park may sometimes be enough) might just do the trick.

Some basic guidelines include:

• Avoid smoking or alcohol intake.
• Avoid chocolate or other caffeine-based products.
• Certain women might need birth control pills to ease their menstrual back pain.
• Certain women benefit from using OTC anti-inflammatories or acetaminophen, like naproxen or ibuprofen, a few days before their period.
• Stretching out the back may also help with period back pain.
• Drink enough water so that you`ll be hydrated all the time.
• Take hot baths or apply heat on the body areas where you feel the pain.
• Follow a healthy diet.
• Deep breathing could aid the body distribute enough oxygen to the body, which in turn can aid relieve back pain.
• Gentle yoga and light cardio exercises are recommended.
• Take supplements based on magnesium and vitamin B.

There`s a proven research performed in 2017 in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, which concluded that women who performed yoga for half an hour a day, 2 days per week, for 3 months showed an important improvement in period back pain.

A different research performed in the same year and published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, discovered that Hatha yoga was associated with a decrease in chronic pelvic pain levels in women who experienced endometriosis.

Note: If all the above recommendations aren`t enough to ease your menstrual back pain, you might just need to contact your doctor.

Natural Remedies of Back Pain during Menstruation

Devil’s claw

This herb is well known that reduces muscle spasms as well as for its anti-inflammation values. It has its roots in Africa, and should be taken in regular doses of 800 mg taken in capsules 3 times per day.

Don`t use this herb if you`re taken any kind of blood thinners.

Camomile Tea

As you probably already know, this tea calms muscle spasm. You may have up to 3 capsules or 3 cups a day. – Click this link!

Meadowsweet Tea

Meadowsweet tea taken 3+ times a day can be mixed with rubbing the muscle will alleviate back pain and, therefore reduce any associated PMS symptoms. Women in the U.S. use this tea on a regular basis both for back pain and period pain during the menstrual cycle. The most important properties of this is its muscle relaxing and anti-spasmodic values.

Horsetail

Horsetail is a plant which won`t only alleviate pain, but will build up soft tissues and relieve lower back pain as well. It can be infused and used as tea a few times a day as well.

Also read: What Does An Ingrown Hair On Your Head Look Like?

Arnica

Arnica is a medicinal plant which is available as pills, gel and lotion. Any of these types of products will alleviate muscle pain. Pills can be placed under your tongue until they dissolve.

Burdock

This is a medicinal plant that needs to be taken a few times per day to kill pain.

Pineapple

Extract of pineapple is considered an anti-inflammatory herb that can ease pain or discomfort, and can be used a few times per day. There`re also other anti-inflammatory plants which can be used as tea, which include Jamaican dogwood, St. John`s Wort or valerian.