Stomach ache and period: how to get over the pain?

Many women experience discomfort related to menstruation, dysmenorrhea. Among the various disorders that a menstruating person may experience is period stomach pain. Pain in the lower abdomen. How to stop having these uterine pains during the period?

Summary


Why does my stomach hurt during my period?

The menstrual cycle is the source of many disorders and in particular of period symptoms. It is quite normal to have small pains and discomforts during the period. The menstrual cycle is a sea ofhormones that influence our body in many ways. The cause of stomach ache during menstruation is directly related to the more or less strong contractions that the uterus will perform to expel the endometrium. These contractions are caused by an excess of a hormone called prostaglandin.

What are the different types of stomach pain during menstruation?

During menstruation, it is not uncommon to have different types of pain. Many women wonder how to stop having pain in their lower abdomen during their period. To find solutions, it is important to identify and understand your period pain. Belly pain during menstruation is commonly referred to by the medical profession as dysmenorrhea.

Repeated bloating

During the menstrual period, and especially just before the arrival of your period, you may be subject to premenstrual syndrome and your stomach ache may be a symptom of bloating. Indeed, under the effect of progesterone, the digestive system will slow down, relax and no longer do its work. Progesterone can then lead to gas accumulation and constipation, often synonymous with a bloated belly during menstruation. If bloating becomes chronic, we recommend that you see a doctor. Some signs that you may be suffering from bloating during your period:

  • a swollen abdomen
  • water retention
  • stomach pain
  • flatulence, gurgling in your digestive tract
  • an unpleasant smell when gas is expelled

Cramps of varying severity

Menstrual cramps are the most common disorder of menstruating women. 80% of women suffer from pain in the lower abdomen, back, legs and thighs at the time of their period. 15% of women suffering from uterine pain during their period are handicapped in their daily life. These cramps are often associated with dizziness, diarrhea, migraines or nausea during the period.


Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps and spasms of the uterus, can appear as early as adolescence or adulthood. If the pain appears in adulthood, it is a sign of an imbalance or an underlying pathology.


Abdominal cramps during menstruation can be painful and violent and have several causes:

  • If there is too high a peak of prostaglandins and therefore too many contractions of the uterus
  • If the cause of the pain is related to a pathology such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or uterine fibroids. It is then important to consult a doctor.

How to relieve stomach ache during menstruation?

In some cases, menstrual pain can be unbearable and force menstruating women to change their activities or to stay in bed. There are several methods to relieve discomfort in the abdomen during menstruation. However, beware of self-medication, always seek the advice of a health professional!

Taking medication

There are several medications on the market that are available in pharmacies or by prescription to relieve period pain.
Doctors recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and ibuprofen as the first line of treatment. Some medications, such as Antadys or Ponstyl, are specific to the treatment of abdominal pain during menstruation. Spasfon and Doliprane can also help reduce spasms and uterine contractions during menstruation when the pain becomes generalized. Be careful not to take aspirin, which will increase menstrual bleeding!
Some doctors will prescribe the use of birth control pills to regulate hormones, control the menstrual cycle, blood flow and pelvic pain during menstruation.

Natural methods

To naturally relieve this type of pain during your period, you can also try the following natural methods.

  • Use a hot water bottle or cherry pit hot water bottle to relieve abdominal pain
  • Take a hot bath to relax
  • Get enoughsleep and take time to rest during the day
  • Acupuncture and osteopathy can help you limit period pain, especially for those with adhesions related to endometriosis or a gynecological disease
  • Practice a gentle sport activity such as yoga or walking
  • Limit the consumption of coffee, tea and salt
  • Use an essential oil (or several!) adapted to uterine contractions during your period. Ask your pharmacist for advice!
  • Avoid stressfulsituations
  • Use appropriate sanitary protection so as not to add to your discomfort
  • Avoidtobacco and alcohol.

Who to consult in case of painful stomach ache?

If your abdominal pain is chronic during your period, whether it is accompanied by heavy bleeding or not, it is recommended to make an appointment for a diagnosis with your general practitioner, a gynecologist or a midwife who will be able to diagnose you and propose an appropriate treatment.
If the pain is frequent and increases in intensity, you may be suffering from endometriosis, a fibroid or another disease. If you have dysmenorrhea but your period does not come, you probably have a developing pregnancy. The doctor or health care provider will then order a checkup to find the cause.

The FAQ of stomach ache during menstruation

What causes stomach ache during menstruation?

Uterine pain during menstruation is related to the hormonal changes that our bodies go through. Its hormones will impact and create more or less violent cramps to expel the blood of the period. You may also suffer from bloating or constipation before your period, or diarrhea during your period.

How to get over period stomachache?

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