Period Pain In Lower Back: Causes, Management and Treatment

Have you been experiencing period pain in lower back?
Then you’re not alone, in this article, we would elaborate the causes and possible ways to manage/treat it.
Just relax and read on.

Firstly what’s this menstrual pain, they are pains in a woman’s lower abdomen that occur when her menstrual period begins (or just before) and may continue for two to three days.

While the predominance of the pain usually sticks to the lower abdomen, experiencing period pain in lower back or legs during your period is totally common and normal.

Causes Of Period Pain In Lower Back

This condition is usually caused by contractions in the uterus, which radiate through the web of nerves within your pelvic region.

As your body contracts to rid itself of the uterine lining, it can sometimes press on blood vessels in the area, limiting or cutting off the supply of oxygen to the nearby muscles. Heavy contractions can lead to low back pain, as the pain can radiate from the lower abdomen into the low back.¹

How To Manage This Period Pain

Adopting some of the recommended methods below can go a long way to ease this pain.

• Painkillers:

1. You may take over-the-counter ones, such as acetaminophen, or anti-inflammatories, such as naproxen sodium, and ibuprofen a couple days prior to menstruation. If your pain doesn’t get better by OTC painkillers, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers.

• Maintain a healthy diet and take nutritional supplements with vitamin B and magnesium.

• Avoid smoking.

• Exercise: Though due to the pain you may like to avoid exercising during a period, physical activity may help in reducing lower back pain on period. Try gentle exercises such as walking, cycling or swimming.

• Heat: Applying a hot water bottle or heating pad on the lower back area may help in reducing back pain during period.

• Warm shower or bath: Taking a warm shower or bath may help you relax and relieve back pain during period.

• Massage: Gently massaging your abdomen and lower back may also relieve the back pain.

• Relaxation techniques: Doing relaxation activities such as Pilates and yoga may help in distracting you from feelings of discomfort and pain.

• Hormonal birth control: Your doctor may prescribe you the combined oral contraceptive pill to relieve cramping and severe back pain during period.

• Drink lots of water.

• Avoid foods containing salt and caffeine.

• Avoid alcohol.²

Treatments

Depending on the exact cause of your lower back pain, your doctor might prescribe certain treatments. These include:

1. • Birth control pills, particularly those that contain estrogen and progestin, can reduce pain. These include the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring.
   1. √Check out the common

Signs Of Infertility In Women

• Progesterone, which also reduces pain.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, soothe pain by reducing the amount of prostaglandins made by the body.

If lower back pain is caused by endometriosis, medication might be an option. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can help reduce the pain.³

Conclusion!

If your low back pain lingers past the menstrual cycle or you develop leg pain or weakness, you should seek medical attention, as this may be more than the typical low back pain stemming from prostaglandin release during menstruation.