Introduction
Abdominal pain before the period can occur throughout the second half of the cycle and is counted as premenstrual syndrome. The cause of the pain is not yet fully understood, but it is believed that hormones play a role. The pain usually subsides at the beginning of the period and disappears completely until the next ovulation. In addition to abdominal pain, pain in other parts of the body may also occur, as well as a variety of other symptoms during this period.
Causes of abdominal pain
Abdominal pain before the period typically occurs only in the second half of the cycle, i.e. after ovulation. The exact causes have not yet been fully clarified, but there are approaches to explain the pain, which are based on hormonal causes. The hormone progesterone dominates in the second half of the cycle.
Among other things, progesterone causes fluid shifts in the body. This also explains why the breasts and feet swell during this phase. These shifts in the fluid balance can possibly also be the cause of stomach pain.
Another explanation suggests that interactions between progesterone and other messenger substances in the brain could be the reason for the pain. However, not everyone is aware of such interactions, which explains why not every woman suffers from pain and specific abdominal pain before her period. Finally, it is also suspected that women with abdominal pain before menstruation may be more sensitive to the breakdown products of progesterone, which can trigger the pain.
Other factors that can lead to the development of abdominal pain and other symptoms of PMS include hypothyroidism, smoking or an unbalanced diet. Psychological factors, such as stress, can also be a cause. The Pill is regularly used as a therapeutic measure against PMS in order to better regulate the hormone balance during the cycle.
In the period after starting to take the pill, however, you may experience abdominal pain and other pains, as the body has to adjust to the altered hormones. After that, the pain should generally get better. However, there are also pills that increase the pain without providing relief after some time. The exact cause behind this phenomenon has not yet been sufficiently clarified.
Associated symptoms
In addition to abdominal pain, premenstrual syndrome includes a whole range of other symptoms, both physical and psychological: All of these symptoms can occur individually, but also in combination, so that PMS can be a heavy burden. – The progesterone in the second half of the cycle leads to water retention in various parts of the body. This can lead to pressure pain in the chest, as well as oedema in the legs and feet.
- Muscle, joint or headaches are also possible. – Accompanying neurological symptoms include migraine or increased sensitivity to external stimuli. – In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract also occur, such as diarrhoea, nausea, ravenous appetite, but also loss of appetite.
- PMS also includes a whole range of psychiatric symptoms. Typical are mood swings, especially depressive moods. In this context, listlessness, tiredness and symptoms of exhaustion can also occur.
Hormone fluctuations and muscle contractions in the uterus can lead to pain. In some women, the movements of the uterus also affect the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea, vomiting and also diarrhoea can occur.
The nausea is not exclusively limited to the period before the period. It can also occur during menstruation, when the uterus contracts to expel the excess mucus. Why back pain can occur before menstruation has not yet been fully explained.
However, back pain is part of a complex of symptoms called premenstrual syndrome. If the back pain occurs at regular intervals, which can be explained by the cycle, the gynaecologist should also consider gynaecological diseases such as endometriosis or a myoma in the diagnostic workup. These two diseases show cycle-dependent symptoms, which reach their maximum especially shortly before the period.
