Lower abdominal pain after menstruation
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Abdominal pain after menstruation may indicate the presence of such pathologies as adnexitis, vulvitis, endometriosis.
[1]
Endometriosis
With this disease, nodes inside and around the uterus are formed, resembling in structure the inner layer of the mucous membrane of the uterus, which is rejected during menstruation. Such growths can penetrate into nearby tissues, causing the appearance of adhesions.
Rejection of the menstrual flow and endometrium is considered a normal process during menstruation, however, once in the abdominal cavity, the endometriotic cells settle on nearby organs, grow and form a bloody discharge. At the same time, the fluid produced by the endometrial cells is retained inside, resulting in pain in the lower abdomen after menstruation. The adhesions formed in the abdominal cavity cause obstruction of the fallopian tubes. If the ovaries are affected, it often leads to the formation of a cyst, which provokes the risk of infertility.
Causes of the disease:
- genetic predisposition
- hormonal disbalance
- abortion
- cesarean section
- cauterization of cervical erosion
- infections
- stresses and unbalanced diet
- malfunction of the endocrine glands
- special structure of the fallopian tubes.
The main symptoms of the disease are the discharge from the genital organs of the bloody mass of dark before or after menstruation, pain during menstruation and during sexual contact, as well as pain that have no connection with the menstrual cycle and irradiation of pain in the lumbar region and tail bone. Pain syndrome is also expressed during bowel movements and urination. However, it should be borne in mind that the disease may also be asymptomatic, therefore, periodic preventive check-ups should be conducted by a gynecologist.
Treatment of endometriosis is divided into conservative and surgical. The operation is prescribed if the resulting bleeding leads to the development of anemia, as well as with infertility caused by obstruction of the fallopian tubes, and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment methods. The goal of medical treatment is the atrophy of endometrial tissues and the elimination of the clinical manifestations of the disease. If the disease is mild, oral contraceptives, anti-inflammatory, hormonal and homeopathic medicines may be prescribed.
[2]
Vulvitis
Abdominal pain after menstruation is often associated with the development of vulvitis. In this disease, the mucous membrane of the external genital organs is inflamed. Yeast fungus, microorganisms, and sexually transmitted infections can cause this disorder. Wearing tight underwear, as well as non-compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene can contribute to the development of the disease. The main symptoms are a burning sensation and itching in the external genital organs, their hyperemia and edema, the release of sero-purulent masses. Depending on the reason that provoked the disease, antifungal preparations, antibacterial creams and ointments can be used for treatment, as well as anti-inflammatory procedures in the form of herbal baths with chamomile, hunters, etc.
Adnexit
Inflammation of the uterine appendages provokes the formation of adhesive processes in the fallopian tubes, which causes pain in the lower abdomen after menstruation. In the acute form of the disease, the general condition worsens, the temperature increases. With severe disease in the fallopian tubes and ovaries, purulent formations appear. A disease that is not cured in time often becomes chronic. For treatment use antibiotics.
Abdominal pain after menstruation may be associated with a violation of the natural hormonal balance in the body and an increase in the production of prostaglandins, which stimulate uterine contractions. Accompanying symptoms for this disorder may be nausea, vomiting, headache, increased sweating, heart palpitations.
If you experience any kinds of pain, do not engage in self-diagnosis and self-treatment, as this may harm your health. If you have pain, you should always contact a gynecologist for help.
Who to contact?