Why does my head hurt during menstruation?

About pain during the menstrual cycle

Every woman at least once in her life has encountered unpleasant and painful sensations during menstruation. For some, they occur occasionally with colds and weakened immunity, while others suffer from pain all their lives. Gynecologists of the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center FMBA say: “Pain during menstruation is not normal!”

In modern medicine, painful menstrual syndrome is regarded as a disease called “algodysmenorrhea” or “dysmenorrhea”. The first name is considered to be more accurate, but due to its length, the second name is more often used - dysmenorrhea.

There are two types of disease:

1. primary (functional) dysmenorrhea – observed in adolescence and in women aged 20-25 years. Repeats cyclically, pain occurs 12 hours before menstruation or on the first day of the menstrual cycle, lasts from 2 to 42 hours. It has an aching, cramping or bursting character, radiating into the intestines or bladder. The disease is not associated with pathological changes in the genital organs;
2. secondary (organic) dysmenorrhea – occurs against the background of pathological processes of the pelvic organs due to urogenital diseases and inflammatory processes. Characteristic of women after 25-30 years. It is characterized by heavy bleeding with clots and severe pain in the lower back. Pain appears and intensifies 1-2 days before the start of the menstrual cycle.

Women's headaches

The sacramental female “headache” is not such an anecdotal invention. Women do often suffer from headaches, which are not always relieved by conventional painkillers.

The most common types of pain

Tension headaches and migraines are the most common types of headaches in women.

Tension pain is most often provoked by overwork, lack of sleep, and stress. Typically, the pain is pressing, “helmet-like”, bilateral, of moderate intensity, and may be accompanied by mild nausea, aversion to loud sounds or bright lights. Such pain may go away on its own or after a short rest. Typically, tension headaches are not a serious problem and are easily relieved.

Not everything is so simple with migraines. Migraine is a paroxysmal pulsating headache, most often of high intensity, often unilateral, often with nausea and even vomiting. Loud noises, bright lights, smells, and any activity (mental or physical) can aggravate it. Migraine pain can be not only throbbing, but also pressing, cutting, and can be not only one-sided, but also bilateral.

Causes of pain during menstruation

Depending on the type of dysmenorrhea, the causes of pain differ.

For functional dysmenorrhea causes:

• physiological – disruption of hormone synthesis. There is an increased production of prostaglandins - lipid substances that are responsible for contraction of the uterus during menstruation. An excessive amount leads to strong uterine contractions, which provokes pain. Increased production of adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin also leads to discomfort;
• psychological – low pain threshold, fear of pain, neurological disorders and psycho-emotional abnormalities that enhance and aggravate the perception of pain;
• vascular disorders;
• lack of magnesium in the blood.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is observed in patients with pathologies of the reproductive organs and can be caused by:

• abnormal location of the uterus, its underdevelopment and malformations;
• abnormal development of the genital organs, complicating the outflow of menstrual blood;
• endometriosis (proliferation of the inner layer of the uterine wall to other organs);
• inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system;
• varicose veins of the pelvic veins;
• adhesions in the pelvis and fallopian tubes caused by inflammation of the tubes, ovaries or previous operations;
• uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts;
• sexually transmitted infections;
• installation of an intrauterine device;
• injury (consequence of surgery, frequent medical abortions);
• psychological and physical fatigue (frequent stress, violation of rest and work schedules).

Malaise and pain during menstruation: only pain relief or treatment?

Most often, gynecologists hear complaints from girls about general malaise and pain before and during menstruation. This condition is called dysmenorrhea - it is a disorder of the menstrual cycle, which is characterized by pain1: pain appears on the first day and can persist throughout menstruation and after it. Attacks of pain exhaust the nervous system, reduce performance, and limit a woman’s usual level of activity.

NOT JUST PAIN.

In addition to the already mentioned pain in the lower abdomen, patients during menstruation are often bothered by other symptoms:

• Emotional and mental disorders - irritability, drowsiness, insomnia, odor intolerance, etc.
• Manifestations of a “vegetative storm” are nausea, chills or a feeling of heat, sweating, dry mouth, bloating, frequent urination, etc.
• Vascular dysfunction - headache, dizziness, arrhythmias, numbness in the arms and legs, swelling of the face, etc.
• Metabolic and endocrine disorders - weakness, itching, joint pain, swelling, feeling of “woolly” legs, etc.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

About 82% of the fair sex experience pain during menstruation. The production of prostaglandins (substances that mediate pain and inflammation), typical before menstruation, significantly increases the contractile activity of the uterus, which causes vasospasm, local circulatory disorders and irritation of nerve endings in the uterine tissue. As a result of all these changes, pain occurs.

The development of dysmenorrhea is often associated with hormonal imbalances, namely an imbalance of sex steroids - estrogen and progesterone, and much more serious conditions - in the second phase of the cycle. However, primary dysmenorrhea can be a sign of abnormal development of the genital organs or gynecological diseases: endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian tumors, pelvic inflammation, pelvic varicose veins, etc.

HOW TO TREAT?

Treatment of dysmenorrhea (dysmenorrhea is a cyclic pathological process in which severe pain in the lower abdomen appears during menstruation) involves a combination of non-drug methods and modern drug therapy. Thus, adequate sleep, physical therapy, and reflexology objectively improve a woman’s condition.

• The leading place in the treatment of dysmenorrhea is occupied by three groups of drugs - gestagens, oral contraceptives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Progestogens (progesterone and its derivatives) - they enhance the gestagenic “shoulder” of cyclic hormonal fluctuations (mediators of pain and inflammation) and act on the muscular wall of the uterus, reducing its contractile activity and excitability;
• Oral contraceptives - they regulate the frequency and amplitude of uterine contractions, the volume of menstrual flow by suppressing ovulation, which reduces the secretion of prostaglandins by the endometrium. Taking contraceptives reduces the concentration of estrogen and, consequently, the severity of symptoms of dysmenorrhea;
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - they have an analgesic effect and reduce the level of prostaglandins, directly affecting the cause of pain.

However, when treating dysmenorrhea, it is extremely important that its cause is understood - if you mindlessly “absorb analgesics,” this can mask the manifestations of the underlying disease, for example, endometriosis (endometriosis is a common gynecological disease in which endometrial cells (the inner layer of the uterine wall) grow beyond this layer), which must be treated seriously, thoroughly and by completely different means. And only a specialist can correctly understand the situation. By the way, from the point of view of modern medicine, pain during menstruation is not the norm, and its treatment, thoughtful and balanced, is really necessary.

Symptoms

Unpleasant sensations during or a few days before menstruation can be of varying degrees and intensity. If the ailment is not pronounced and is short-term, and the pain is not significant and does not affect the usual way of life, there is no need to worry. Slight discomfort in the lower abdomen in the first days of the menstrual cycle is considered normal for the body.

However, severe pain symptoms and accompanying ailments may indicate pathology in the body:

• pain syndrome: severe pain in the lower abdomen of various types (pulling, stabbing, cramping). It can radiate to the appendage area, lower back, intestines, bladder, inner thighs;
• psycho-emotional disorder: sleep disturbance, nervousness and irritability, anxiety, depression, excessive sensitivity, mood swings, odor intolerance, change in taste preferences;
• autonomic disorders: nausea, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, dry mouth, frequent urination, chills or fever, increased sweating;
• vegetative-vascular disorders: headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness, numbness of the extremities, facial swelling, tachycardia, bradycardia, heart pain;
• metabolic-endocrine manifestations (hormone imbalance): changes in body temperature (both decrease and increase), weakness, loss of strength, joint pain, swelling, limpness in the body (wool-like legs), itchy skin.

These symptoms may be signs of a minor pathology or indicate a serious illness. The multidisciplinary center of the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency recommends that patients contact our specialists to determine the causes of the ailment and their treatment.

Depending on the severity of pain symptoms, dysmenorrhea is classified:

1. first degree (mild) – moderate, short-term pain in the lower abdomen. There are no violations of other body systems. Performance is maintained;
2. second degree (medium) - a pronounced nature of pain, accompanied by endocrine and autonomic disorders: weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, chills, insomnia, changes in mood, depression. Requires consultation with a doctor and prescription of medications;
3. third degree (severe) - severe, unbearable pain in the abdomen and lower back are supplemented by symptoms of the second degree. Accompanied by fainting, tachycardia, pain in the heart. Painkillers do not work, and the ability to work completely disappears.

If you experience monthly pain during your period, don't tolerate it! Over time, their intensity may increase, and pathological processes may develop into serious diseases. In our clinic, you can undergo a routine gynecological examination, which will help identify the causes of the ailment, detect concomitant diseases and begin adequate treatment.

How does it hurt during menstruation?

Symptoms of menstrual pain and cramps can vary depending on the individual.
Some women experience a dull, throbbing pain, while others experience severe and often debilitating pain in the lower abdomen, ovarian area, radiating to the lower back, thighs, and rectum. Pain usually begins one to three days before menstruation, peaks 24 hours after bleeding begins, and subsides after two to three days. Some girls before menstruation, in addition to pain, also experience nausea, headache, dizziness and loose stools.

Causes of painful periods

Our uterus consists of two main layers. The outer muscle layer, the myometrium, is composed of smooth muscle cells. The inner layer, the endometrium, responds to changes in hormone levels. The endometrium accumulates during the first half of the menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. If conception does not occur, hormonal changes cause the endometrium to release substances known as prostaglandins. They cause the muscles of the uterus, the myometrium, to contract, which causes the endometrial lining to come out through the vagina - this is your monthly menstruation.

A healthy female body naturally produces prostaglandins, which have hormone-like effects. They are involved in various body functions, including contraction of the uterine muscles, which causes pain and causes primary algomenorrhea or menstrual cramps.

At the beginning of your period, the levels of prostaglandins in your body are higher than normal. As a rule, the higher their level, the stronger the pain during menstruation. In contrast, if you are not menstruating due to hormonal contraception, postpartum lactation, or approaching menopause, there is little or no risk of cramping. 

The risk of severe menstrual cramps is higher if you smoke, are under 30 years of age, have heavy or irregular bleeding, started puberty before age 12, or have a family history of close female relatives (mother, aunt, grandmother) having very painful periods .

What to do if periods are painful?

If, due to pain before and during menstruation, you miss school, days at work, sports or other activities at least one day a month, contact our gynecology doctor in Moscow. Although menstruation is a normal part of your body's functioning, it is not normal if it is severe enough to disrupt your normal, daily activities.

No matter what, don’t suffer in silence: painful periods are not something you are doomed to live with. The pain can often be successfully treated. Our clinic’s specialists have many safe and effective methods for treating algodismenorrhea, allowing you to effectively and almost 100% get rid of painful periods!

Diagnostics

Diagnosis during menstrual pain should be comprehensive. At the initial examination, it is important to tell the doctor in detail what is bothering you. Based on complaints, symptoms, and a description of lifestyle, the gynecologist will be able to exclude acute abdominal syndrome (for example, appendicitis). After an oral interview, the doctor examines the patient and prescribes a series of tests. These include:

• gynecological smear (including flora, sexually transmitted diseases, hormonal function of the epithelium, cytology);
• clinical blood and urine analysis;
• biochemical blood test to determine the level of hormones in the blood;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
• vulvoscopy;
• colposcopy.

In our center of the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, diagnostics are carried out according to international standards. The clinical diagnostic center, which is part of the clinic, guarantees the accuracy of the results and the speed of their provision. Modern equipment in the gynecology department allows for accurate diagnosis.

Prevention of pain during menstruation

Like any other disease, dysmenorrhea needs prevention. To prevent painful sensations during menstruation, you must follow several rules:

• visit a doctor regularly (if there are no complaints, once a year);
• promptly treat gynecological diseases;
• use contraception to avoid sexually transmitted infections and unwanted conception (as a consequence – abortion);
• follow the recommendations of the gynecologist;
• Consult a doctor immediately if you experience pain during your period.

Additional recommendations include: playing sports and leading an active lifestyle, abstaining from bad habits, maintaining a vitamin and mineral complex in the body, maintaining a daily routine, a balanced diet, regular sex life with a regular partner (for adult women).

How to treat

The gynecological department of the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency determines and develops an approach to the treatment of dysmenorrhea individually for each patient. Depending on the causes of the disease, treatment can be preventive in nature with the prescription of medications (painkillers, antispasmodics, sedatives), or complex.

Complex therapy includes:

• taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs;
• restoration of hormonal balance;
• correction of the intake or type of oral contraceptives (installation of the IUD before birth is undesirable);
• surgery.

During therapy, consultation with related specialists (endocrinologist, mammologist, psychologist) may be indicated.

It is important to understand that relieving pain symptoms with painkillers is not a cure. Dysmenorrhea is a pathological condition and it must be treated comprehensively under the supervision of an experienced specialist!

You can make an appointment or get advice from our specialist by calling our number or filling out a convenient form on the website.

Nature of pain

Many women are not even aware that they have a cyst until they undergo a medical examination or develop complications. But sometimes, as the formation develops, a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen may appear in the early stages. This indicates the presence of irritated nerve nodes and pressure on the bladder.

As the formation grows, early pain occurs. With an ovarian cyst, the side hurts, it swells, increases in size, and the sensation of discomfort is constant. This is due to the fact that the formation presses on the wall of the abdominal cavity.

As the disease progresses or complications occur, a woman may notice severe discomfort, a feeling of squeezing, bursting from the inside. If such sensations appear, you should immediately consult a specialist.

Different types of cysts manifest themselves differently, and symptoms may also vary:

• Follicular. It causes virtually no pain. It manifests itself in the form of discomfort or nagging pain on the side where the formation occurred.
• Cystic formation of the corpus luteum. This form of cyst has almost no effect on the condition and does not cause pain. When localized on the right, discomfort may appear in that area.
• Dermioid. Causes intense pain at the location. This is due to the fact that the formation can greatly increase and affect the functioning of other organs.
• Muciotic. Benign formation with a tendency to malignancy. The pain is increasing in nature and radiates to the legs. As the formation grows, neighboring organs and tissues suffer.
• Endometriotic. Develops as a complication of endometriosis. With such an ovarian cyst, the lower abdomen hurts, problems with bowel movements arise, and convulsions and seizures may occur.

With polycystic disease, which is characterized by the development of several formations at once, severe nagging pain occurs. They are localized in the abdomen, in its lower part, and almost never stop. With prolonged growth of functional cysts and lack of proper treatment, hemorrhagic formations can occur. They are characterized by nagging pain that intensifies in the period before menstruation. At the same time, menstrual bleeding itself becomes more abundant.

Why do they trust us with their health?

• The Department of Gynecology has been providing high-tech medical care in the treatment of all types of gynecological diseases since 1987;
• Every year more than 2,000 patients come to us and receive professional medical care;
• For each patient, our doctors develop an individual treatment plan. In complex and critical situations, the multidisciplinary center allows you to gather a consultation with specialists in related fields and quickly determine treatment tactics;
• In daily practice, doctors use the latest international achievements and advanced treatment methods;
• The operating rooms are equipped with new high-tech equipment;
• We carry out more than 2,500 operations of varying complexity per year;

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• Doctors regularly take part in international congresses and research.