Lower back pain caused by your period and menstrual cycle is discomfort that you may tend to brush away as something you can live with. While this pain is usually muscular and caused by changes in your hormones, let’s dive into the causes and investigate if there is a more serious, underlying condition causing the pain.
Hormone Changes Are The Main Cause
During your period, the uterus contracts to shed the tissue in the uterus lining. The hormone, prostaglandins, is a key figure in stimulating the contraction of the uterus. These contractions, when severe, can lead to stomach cramps in some women. In more serious cases, the pain radiates to your lower back, even down the legs. If you are one of those women with high prostaglandin levels, you can even experience headaches and diarrhoea.
Back Pain Started Only Recently
You may not have experienced lower back pain when you were younger, but you start experiencing it later in your life. This pain may be caused by other issues, such as endometriosis, other than cramps. Endometriosis tends to cause pain, sometimes severe during your period. If you have other symptoms besides cramp during your period, such as painful sexual intercourse, excessive bleeding between periods and pain with urination, you should consult your doctor for a medical assessment.
Back Pain After Period
There are a few reasons for this phenomenon. You may feel lower back pain and cramping during ovulation, that is, between 12 – 15 days after the first day of your period. Pain during ovulation is normal, and you do not have to be alarmed. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), is an infection of the reproductive organs caused by bacteria. Other symptoms include bleeding during sex, heavy vaginal discharge and fever with chills. Please visit a doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Remedies for Lower Back Pain During Your Period
Lower back pain can be discomfort that disrupts your daily life. There are a few remedies that can reduce lower back pain.
Hot patches
Sticking a warm patch on your lower back can soothe the pain. Choose a non-medical patch whenever you can, this will reduce an eventual reliance on painkiller and drugs for managing your pain.
Massage
Gently massaging your lower back can help relieve lower back pain. Use simple massage tools such as a foam roller or tennis ball to release tight fascial tissues, effectively reducing tension in your back. Read this to learn how to use the roller foam correctly for your lower back.
Exercise
Regular exercise during and after your period can help to reduce lower back pain. While light exercises can help, strengthening your core muscles with HIIT workouts or yoga in the comfort of your own home is one of the best solutions to lower back pain.
Topical Application
Meditrina QiActiv Essential Oil – Pelvic Care, is specially formulated to relieve pelvic pain and lower back pain. It reduces inflammation and supports myofascial healing, reducing the chronic reoccurrence of lower back pain. Meditrina Ageless Herbal Cream, a plant-sourced topical supplement, supports hormonal balance and reduces cramps caused by contraction of the uterus.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Go easy on the red wine and coffee. Caffeine increases your body’s production of cortisol, a stress hormone, when cortisol is increased for long periods, the inflammation in your body increases and this can lead to your lower back pain being more severe.