My left side hurts before my period, what could it be?

Many women are accustomed to considering severe pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation as the norm. However, this is not the case. Physiologically normal is a painless course of the menstrual cycle, let's say slight discomfort, a feeling of fullness in the lower abdominal cavity immediately before or during the menstrual period. If your right side hurts before your next period, you should assume the development of a pathology. In this case, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive and digestive systems, surgical, and neurological diseases. The reasons why there is pain in the right side before the onset of menstruation may require urgent medical intervention.

Why does it hurt?

To recognize the causes of unpleasant sensations, specialists should detail the local area: determine the coverage of organs and find out the likely provoking factors of painful sensations.

What is in this place?

In the right side of the lower abdomen of the female body there are:

• Fallopian tube;
• main lobe of intestine;
• appendix;
• ureter on the right side.

Most often, the causes of pain in the right side are pathological in nature - the process is observed in one of the local organs. In some cases, physiological factors take on a provoking role.

Causes

When diagnosing pain syndrome, one of the organic causes of unpleasant symptoms is identified:

• development of a disease associated with the reproductive system (uterine fibroids, cystic formation, polyp);
• disease of the urinary system, gastrointestinal disease, complex form of surgical pathology (cystitis, infectious process in the intestines, inflammation of appendicitis);
• disease of the musculoskeletal system (damage to the coccyx, hip joint, lumbosacral spine);
• the presence of a foreign body in the pelvic area (the coil in the uterine cavity grows into the tissue or is used inappropriately);
• pathological process provoked by surgery. More often develops in response to abortion, curettage;
• pathologies of pregnancy (development of miscarriage, placental abruption, ectopic pregnancy).

The functional causes of the phenomenon are called in one word - algodismenorrhea, which includes menstruation disorders, dysfunctional bleeding, and bending of the genital organ.

If you have pain before your period

If a woman has pain in her right side on the eve of her period, this is one of the likely symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

If the right side of the lower abdomen hurts before your period, a number of factors can stimulate this symptom:

1. Excessive physical activity of a woman on the eve of critical days (difficult working conditions, performing strength exercises in the gym).
2. Hypothermia caused by a woman's prolonged stay in cold conditions. The body gets cold - a spasm appears in the pelvic vessels, which leads to increased pain on the eve of menstruation.
3. “Sedentary” lifestyle (a woman sits a lot due to duty, leads an inactive rest - there is a failure in the process of blood circulation in the pelvis and stagnation forms).
4. Excess weight. Fat cells release hormones (estrogen) into the blood. When there is excess fat tissue, there is a hormonal imbalance that causes pain.

An inserted intrauterine device, gynecological pathology, disease of the digestive system, inflammation of the genitourinary system, postoperative complication can also simulate pain in the right side of the lower abdomen on the eve of menstruation.

Why does it occur at the waist level?

If the patient has pain on the right side at the waist level, this is usually associated with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Among other reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon:

• osteochondrosis;
• neuralgia;
• pathology of the urinary system;
• respiratory disease;
• reproductive system disease;
• cancer.

What diseases of the uterus can there be

Pain in the left lower abdomen occurs when there is a disorder in the uterus.

Nature of the symptom

To find out the exact cause of pain in the abdomen on the lower right, it is necessary to determine the nature of the syndrome.

Pulls side

A nagging pain in the lower right side in women can be tolerable or pronounced. In medical practice, the symptom most often indicates the development of inflammation in the appendages caused by coccus, fungi, viruses or other microorganisms. The clinical picture of the process resembles manifestations of appendicitis. The disease occurs in three forms:

Another cause of the phenomenon is often an ovarian cyst on the right side. In the initial stage, the pathology is practically asymptomatic. As the disease progresses, the woman feels pain.

Aching

The most unbearable type of pain is aching. It leaves an imprint on the patient’s appearance: the woman is preoccupied with thoughts of illness, the patient sleeps poorly, and cannot eat. This perception of the situation more often concerns emotionally unstable, sensitive representatives. This is how women tend to interpret their condition on the eve of childbirth.

Aching pain in the lower right side of the abdomen may not have a permanent localization and spread everywhere. In this case, we are talking about irritable bowel syndrome, which is caused by:

• violation of diet;
• dysbiosis (increased growth of bacteria in the intestines);
• failure of motor skills, etc.

In medical practice, aching pain in the lower abdomen is often mistaken for a symptom of benign or malignant tumors. Neoplasms are localized in the small and large intestines. The etiology of the symptom under the described circumstances is associated with the pressure of the tumor on nearby tissue. The syndrome manifests itself in response to the progression of inflammation, the destruction of a neoplasm or its growth through the wall of an organ.

Sharp and sharp

Sharp, acute pain in the lower right side occurs if a woman:

1. Appendicitis. The pain syndrome in a woman is paroxysmal in nature. Once it appears, the pain is sure to recur.
2. Torsion of the pedicle of the ovarian cyst on the right. The pain in the side is very strong. The syndrome can provoke loss of consciousness. The most intense sensations occur when you move your body. In a supine position the patient becomes easier. The clinical picture is complemented by hyperthermia, rapid pulse, and decreased blood pressure.
3. Ovarian rupture. A dangerous condition in which severe pain can lead to the death of a sick woman. The patient needs immediate surgery.
4. Intestinal tumors. Sharp pain on the right side gives way to acute pain.

What does it mean in men?

The cause of pain in the lower right side in men is determined by the time of its occurrence, nature and exact location. Typically, discomfort is associated with the development of pathological processes in the reproductive, digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

Damaged local organs include:

• prostate;
• intestines;
• structural elements of the urinary system.

With prostatitis, the patient complains of nagging pain above the pubis. Painful sensations can be localized on the lower right side. In case of problems with the intestines, nagging pain is observed, provoked by spasms of the walls of the organ. Against the background of damage to the elements of the urinary system, the pain is stabbing and cutting in nature, complemented by pain and burning.

The described symptom occurs in men much less frequently than in women, however, it also requires a prompt response from the patient and medical staff.

Possible diseases and pathologies

The right side can hurt during menstruation for many reasons, but pathological ones should be considered first. If severe symptoms occur and before starting treatment, you need to assess the nature, intensity, frequency of pain, and the presence of other unhealthy signs.

Among the problems and diseases of the reproductive sphere and other body systems, there are several that can cause severe pain on the right side.

Diseases of the appendages

Adnexitis, salpingoophoritis are inflammatory diseases of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and associated uterine apparatus. They often develop due to the penetration and ascent of infection, including sexually transmitted infections. The initial pathogenesis can be hidden and asymptomatic. During the period of weakened immunity, after hypothermia, colds, during exhausting loads, under the influence of hormonal imbalance, the process intensifies. Severe aching or cutting pain appears in the abdominal cavity on the lower left or right, intensifying in the cold or during physical work.

Causes of pain in the side before menstruation

Tingling, cutting, aching sensations in the side before the onset of menstruation can be both non-pathological and pathological. In the first case, they are a consequence of physiological processes occurring in the internal genital organs, in the second, they indicate the presence of gynecological and non-gynecological ailments.

Non-pathological factors

At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, a dominant follicle is formed in one of the ovaries - right or left. The egg matures in it. In the middle of the month, 2 weeks before the start of the next menstruation, ovulation occurs. The wall of the dominant follicle bursts, releasing a small amount of blood, and the mature oocyte enters the fallopian tube.

How to get rid of unpleasant feelings?

If pain in the side and lower abdomen is periodic or too severe and causes significant discomfort, then first of all you should consult a gynecologist. The doctor will be able to determine whether such sensations are physiological or are symptoms of diseases.

If necessary, the following diagnostic methods are used:

• examination on a gynecological chair;
• Ultrasound;
• microflora smear;
• colposcopy.

Inflammation is treated with antibiotics. The cyst, as a rule, does not require specific treatment; it is monitored and removed if it begins to grow. If the cause of the pain is not gynecological in nature, the doctor will refer you to other specialists. The help of a urologist or gastroenterologist is often required. In case of exacerbation of appendicitis, rupture of a cyst or ovary, urgent surgery is performed.

How to get rid of discomfort caused by natural causes? Gynecologists prescribe combined oral contraceptives, which suppress ovulation and make menstruation less painful. During an attack of pain, you can take an antispasmodic or analgesic, for example, No-shpu, Ibuprofen, Nurofen. To prevent pain during the premenstrual period, you should limit physical activity and exclude foods that cause excess gas from your diet. Self-medication and taking medications without first consulting a doctor is strictly prohibited.

The premenstrual period often causes girls to feel worse, discomfort and pain. For most women, pain is observed in the lower abdomen, lumbar spine and chest, but there are cases when the right side hurts before menstruation. Whether this symptom is pathological or normal will be discussed further.

During menstruation, sometimes there is pain in the side

What treatment

After making a diagnosis, the specialist selects the necessary method of therapy. To treat pain during menstruation, medications are used depending on the disease:

• For endometriosis, medications containing hormones are prescribed.
• If salpingitis is detected, antibiotics are prescribed.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will help with cystitis. For example, Voltaren or Indomethacin. To speed up recovery, the patient is prescribed antibiotics.

For treatment, the doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics

• In case of ulcerative colitis, it is necessary to adjust your diet and take medications for inflammation, as well as immunomodulators. If treatment is ineffective, surgery helps.
• You can get rid of an ectopic pregnancy or ovarian torsion through surgery.

Pain in the left abdomen is a serious sign. Violation can signal various diseases in the body. Therefore, if discomfort occurs, it is better to consult a gynecologist. The specialist will conduct an examination, study the results of all tests, make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

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What are the physiological causes of pain?

Normally, during the premenstrual period, minor pain may be felt, which disappears on the second day of regulation.

If your right side hurts before your period, there may be physiological causes:

• disruption of the circulatory system, leading to blood stagnation in the uterus;
• bend of the uterus;
• hormonal disbalance;
• primary dysmenorrhea;
• failure of ovarian function;
• injuries to the back or internal genital organs.

It is impossible to independently identify the exact reason why your side hurts during menstruation, since the provoking factor is associated with the functioning of the internal organs.

If discomfort bothers you every menstrual cycle, it is advisable to visit a gynecologist to determine the cause and possible identification of pathologies for timely treatment.

Is prevention possible?

Since pain can appear for completely different reasons, there are no clear preventive measures.

Gynecologists give only general recommendations:

• undergo regular medical examinations;
• if there are diseases, treat them in a timely manner;
• maintain proper nutrition;
• reduce the risk of injury to the back and abdominal area;
• install an intrauterine device only by experienced doctors and on individual recommendation.

Pain, before or during menstruation, in the side is always a symptom of a deviation in the functionality of the body. This sign can signal dangerous diseases, the treatment of which cannot be delayed. Therefore, if a feeling of pain in the area of ​​the right side begins to bother you, it is better to immediately go to the gynecologist.

What to do if you have pain

It is not recommended to fight pain in the side on your own during the premenstrual period or during menstruation. The reason can be quite serious and lead to complications that will affect the life of the patient.

To alleviate the condition, you can take a painkiller or antispasmodic before visiting a doctor. Before taking the drug, you must read the instructions to make sure there are no complications.

It is advisable to consult a gynecologist when a symptom appears, and not delay until the end of the menstrual cycle. In some cases, diagnostics at the time of menstruation will facilitate the examination and provide more accurate data on the clinical picture.

What diagnostics

A medical examination begins with a detailed questioning of the patient about all the features of symptoms. After the doctor’s conversation with the woman, a gynecological examination is performed to assess the presence of possible gynecological pathologies.

Ultrasound examination is often performed

Diagnostic measures must be carried out:

• taking a smear;
• donating blood to check hormone levels;
• Ultrasound of the genital organs.

If a specialist in this field does not identify complications, the patient may be sent to another doctor. Further examination depends on the suspected diagnosis.

How to treat unilateral pain

Carrying out any measures to independently combat pain in the sides during menstruation involves a high risk of developing more severe complications.

Treatment for pain in the side should be prescribed only after all the necessary diagnostic methods have been carried out and an accurate diagnosis has been established.

Important! For pain in the left or right side, do not use traditional medicine. Do not heat the painful area, use compresses or herbal decoctions. Also, do not take uncontrolled amounts of painkillers or medications that have a targeted effect (for example, anti-inflammatory drugs).

All treatment features are determined by the doctor and depend solely on the diagnosis.

Watch the video to learn about the causes of pain in the right side:

Prevention

Since there are many reasons for pain in the side before menstruation, it is difficult to describe all preventive measures, so the main ones will be the following:

• regular visits to the gynecologist (every 6 months);
• annual examination by a surgeon, therapist, neurologist;
• supporting normal microflora in the intestines to avoid flatulence and diverticulitis;
• avoiding abdominal injuries;
• installation of an intrauterine device only in a good hospital.

Pain in the side before or during menstruation is not a physiological norm, so you cannot ignore it or try to cope with it on your own. It is necessary to visit a gynecologist, surgeon and therapist to find the cause of this deviation and receive the correct treatment.

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