Many people wonder if you can experience back pain during your period.
Menstruating can cause you to have lower back pain, which can be exacerbated if there's an underlying condition causing the pain.
Lower back pain is one of the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, a term given to particularly painful periods.
Pain, including lower back pain, during menstruation can be caused by a few different factors.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that dysmenorrhea is the most commonly reported menstrual disorder. Roughly half of people who menstruate experience pain for at least one or two days per menstrual cycle.
There are two kinds of period pain: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.
Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by cramps. Usually people with primary dysmenorrhea experience pain when they first start menstruating.
During menstruation, the uterus contracts in order to detach the tissue in the uterus lining. Prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemical messengers, cause the uterus muscles to contract more.
Increased levels of prostaglandins cause more pain. These contractions can cause stomach cramps. In addition to stomach cramps, there may be pain in the lower back that radiates down the legs.
Secondary dysmenorrhea often starts later in life. The pain is caused or exacerbated by physical issues other than cramps.
That said, prostaglandins can still play a role in increasing the pain levels of those with secondary dysmenorrhea. Endometriosis, for example, often causes lower back pain.
There are a number of other underlying conditions that affect the abdomen and lower back, including:
If your lower back pain is severe, it's best to see a doctor to determine whether you have an underlying condition.
If you have dysmenorrhea, you might experience a range of other symptoms along with back pain. These symptoms include:
Endometriosis is a common cause of lower back pain during menstruation. In addition to those listed above, symptoms of endometriosis include:
It's important to remember that endometriosis can also have very few or no noticeable symptoms.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can also cause lower back pain, has the following symptoms in addition to dysmenorrhea:
PID is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. The bacteria from the infection can spread into the reproductive organs.
It can also be caused by tampon use. If you think you have an STI or PID, contact your doctor.
There are a number of underlying conditions that could contribute to back pain during your period. These include:
If you suspect you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor.
To diagnose these conditions, or to discover the cause, you might need to undergo a number of different tests. These can include:
Lower back pain can be very painful for many people who experience it. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that reduce back pain. These remedies include:
Depending on the exact cause of your lower back pain, your doctor might prescribe certain treatments. These include:
If lower back pain is caused by endometriosis, medication might be an option. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists can help reduce the pain.
It might also be necessary to have certain procedures. These include:
If you have very severe lower back pain that directly affects your quality of life, it's best to see a healthcare provider. It's also a good idea to contact your doctor if you suspect you have endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or dysmenorrhea.
If you tend to experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms during your period, it could indicate there's an underlying cause.
Menstruation can cause lower back pain. This lower back pain might be particularly severe if you have a health condition such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids.
If your symptoms are severe, it's best to talk to a doctor. They can help you figure out the cause and treat your pain.