Due to the restructuring of the body before menstruation, changes always occur in the reproductive organs, causing discomfort to 80% of women. Such undesirable manifestations include the fact that a week before your period you feel a tugging sensation in your lower abdomen. The symptom may be due to natural causes and is a variation of the normal functioning of the female body.
Anxiety occurs when pain interferes with daily activities and is far from a feeling of mild inconvenience. You can understand what to do if your lower abdomen pulls and hurts a week before your period begins by thinking about the possible reasons for what is happening.
Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea in medicine refers to menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation. They are caused by contractions of the uterus and the process of removing excess endometrial particles with blood. Pain syndrome can be triggered by the individual number of sensory receptors and a low pain threshold. Due to dysmenorrhea, 8–10 days before the start of menstruation, the lower abdomen hurts and pulls.
Symptoms can begin during puberty and accompany the woman until the onset of menopause. For many, with age or after the birth of a child, the pain syndrome becomes less noticeable.
Mild malaise can be triggered by hormonal changes in the body, or by structural features of the reproductive system.
Methods for treating pain around the navel
Treatment for attacks of acute or aching pain in the navel circumference is carried out using traditional medications that are sold in retail pharmacy chains. A surgical method of sanitation of the focus of the pathological process can also be used.
Medications
All medications that are indicated for relieving attacks of pain from the navel circumference have antispasmodic and analgesic properties.
The following drugs are used in medical practice:
- Papazol - take 1 tablet 2-3 times a day 2 hours before or after a meal (the duration of therapy has no set time limit, as it is symptomatic, and the cost of the medication is 50 rubles per pack of 10 tablets);
- No-spa is an antispasmodic with a wide spectrum of action, which is taken 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day, it is not recommended for patients prone to constipation, or who have an allergic reaction to the substance drotaverine (the price of the drug is 180 rubles per pack);
- Spazmalgon - taken directly with meals with a small amount of liquid; recommended dosage - 1-2 tablets per day (preferably at the same time), duration of therapy is 5-10 days, but in most cases it is used as a symptomatic remedy (medicine price - 190 rub.);
- Platyfillin is an injectable drug that is injected intramuscularly into the female body at a dose of 1-2 ml 2 times a day, therapy is carried out in courses of 10 to 20 days, it is a potent antispasmodic agent (the cost of the drug is 190 rubles for 10 ampoules of a 0.2% solution concentration);
- Renalgan is a combination drug that simultaneously includes analgesic and antispasmodic properties, taken 1-2 tablets per day, but not longer than 3 days (the price of the drug is 75 rubles for a pack of 10 tablets).
All of the above drug therapy eliminates spasm and also dulls the feeling of pain due to its effect on the central nervous system. To avoid recurrent attacks of pain around the navel, you should treat the underlying disease of the internal organs.
Traditional methods
There are traditional medicines that can quickly get rid of attacks of pain in the navel, as well as improve the functioning of the digestive system, relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane, accelerate the healing of ulcers, and normalize the intestinal microflora. It is recommended to use the following folk recipes.
Caraway water
To prepare this home remedy for pain around the navel, you will need to take 2 tbsp. l. caraway seeds, pour them into a metal container, and then pour 1 liter of cold water. Place all ingredients on the stove and then boil for 10 minutes. Wait until the cumin water cools to room temperature, drain it, separating the seeds.
The medicine is taken 100 ml 3 times a day for 15 minutes. before meals. The duration of therapy is 15 days.
Lemon juice with honey
This is a natural antispasmodic remedy, which is prepared by mixing 50 ml of pure lemon juice with the same amount of honey collected from herbs. All components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained, and then take 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day after meals. The course of treatment is not limited by time.
This method of folk therapy for pain is not suitable for women who are prone to allergies to citrus fruits or bee products.
Homemade probiotic
It is an effective remedy for spasms around the navel, the etiology of which is associated with intestinal dysbiosis. To prepare a medicinal drink, you will need to take 100 ml of natural yogurt, 1 tsp. dried coriander leaves, a pinch of salt and 50 ml of water. All components are thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed.
Take 1 tbsp probiotic. l. 3 times a day for 10 minutes. before meals. The duration of therapy is 15-20 days.
Antiparasitic tea
This recipe for folk treatment of painful spasms around the navel is indicated for use in cases of helminthiasis. To get rid of parasites that disrupt intestinal function, you will need to take 1 tbsp. l. dried tansy flowers and leaves, pour 0.75 liters of clean water over them, and then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. The resulting product must be left for 2 hours to infuse.
Antiparasitic tea is taken 250 ml 3 times a day on an empty stomach for 40 minutes. before meals. The duration of treatment is 14 days.
Before starting treatment with folk remedies, it is imperative to undergo an examination by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist. Only after establishing the cause of the pain, and with the doctor’s permission, start taking home medications.
Other methods
Pain around the navel (women may experience emergency spasms when the use of medications is not effective), the manifestations of which are associated with intestinal necrosis, the presence of a tumor, adhesions, peritonitis, requires the use of a surgical method of therapy.
In this case, the doctor performs a surgical intervention aimed at eliminating the source of the pathological process in a surgical room.
During the operation, the woman is under general anesthesia. The duration of treatment procedures depends on which organ caused the pain in the navel circumference, as well as on the stage of the pathology. The average recovery time after abdominal surgery ranges from 10 days to 2 months. The cost of treatment will cost from 10 to 30 thousand rubles.
Premenstrual syndrome
Cyclic syndrome is a whole complex of disorders on the part of the endocrine, psycho-emotional and vegetative-vascular systems. The main cause of PMS is considered to be hormonal disorders in women at risk and exposed to the following factors:
- overwork at work;
- constant stress;
- tendency to depression;
- injuries and surgical interventions;
- inflammatory diseases of the genital organs;
- lack of physical activity;
- lack of balanced nutrition.
It’s no wonder that more than 55% of women are familiar with the abbreviation PMS firsthand.
There is no exact figure for how many days before menstruation the lower abdomen begins to pull. The norm varies from 2 to 14 days. In addition to aching pain in the lower abdomen, signs such as migraines radiating to the eyeballs, stomach upsets, painful sensitivity of the mammary glands, weakness, irritability, excessive vulnerability, and apathy are also observed. Characterized by a sharp change in mood - from excited-elated to tearful-depressive.
Malaise may include symptoms of cardiovascular diseases: rapid heartbeat, numbness of the hands, sweating, shortness of breath.
Signs of premenstrual syndrome can double with age.
This condition usually goes away with the onset of menstruation, but sometimes lasts for several days after it ends.
Hormonal imbalance
If 4-5 days before your period your lower abdomen feels very tight, the cause may be a hormonal imbalance:
- Estrogen balance is extremely important for the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Its excess, as well as its deficiency, can cause discomfort and bloating, as well as menstrual irregularities. Signs that indicate unhealthy levels of estrogen in the body include flaking and dry skin, dullness and hair loss, migraines, insomnia, unstable blood pressure, chest pain and bad mood.
- The level of progesterone before menstruation should be quite high, and its increase begins approximately on the 15th day of the cycle, when the egg leaves the follicle. Hormone deficiency provokes spasms and contractions of the uterine body, which lead to aching pain in the lower abdomen and lower back before menstruation. An imbalance is indicated by swelling and pain of the mammary glands, heavy discharge during menstruation, bleeding during the intermenstrual period, and swelling of the face.
- The culprit of abdominal discomfort may be a low level of “happiness hormones”. Endorphins are designed to alleviate pain and stress for the body. However, with their deficiency, when the lower abdomen hurts and pulls before menstruation, it is felt more strongly than usual. Depressive states, apathy, sensitivity of the breasts and vaginal walls during sex, and gastrointestinal disorders are also observed.
- Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that monitor and regulate biochemical processes in the body. They are the ones who send signals to the brain about unpleasant sensations during menstruation. Due to hormonal imbalances, the amount of prostaglandins may increase, and with them sensitivity to pain.
Types of diseases that cause pain around the navel
Aching, sharp, spasmodic or burning pain from the navel, which constantly bothers a woman, in 80% of cases indicates the development of an acute or chronic disease. The table below shows the types of pathologies, the presence of which leads to painful sensations.
| Type of disease | Description of the pathology |
| Intestinal obstruction | A serious disease of the digestive system, as a result of which all consumed food, which has undergone preliminary digestion, does not enter other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The woman feels spasmodic or sharp pain, which intensifies after eating. The causes of the disease are associated with foreign tumors in the colon, adhesions, and the entry of foreign objects into the digestive tract. |
| Helminthiasis | A large number of parasites accumulated in the intestinal cavity can cause local inflammation and spasm of this part of the digestive system. In this case, the woman feels aching and pulling pain. During palpation of the surface of the abdomen in the navel area, a compaction in the form of an internal lump is felt. |
| Inflammation of the appendages | In women who have healthy organs of the genitourinary system, pain in the navel area does not occur. If there are inflammatory processes in the ovaries, cramps may occur during menstruation. Upon completion of menstruation, the state of health immediately returns to normal. |
| Balantidaiz | This is an infectious disease, the causative agent of which is the simplest microorganism - ciliated ciliates. The pathology is characterized by acute pain in the navel area, stool upset, increased gas production, and loss of appetite. Without drug treatment, it continues for 2-3 days, and then the woman’s condition stabilizes. Infection can be transmitted through dirty hands, water and food that has not been properly sanitized. |
| Gastroenteritis | An inflammatory disease, the affected area of which covers the mucous membrane of the small intestine, as well as the lower segments of the stomach. The disease is characterized by acute spasms in the navel area. Caused by rotavirus infection. Associated symptoms of the disease are liquid diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, and dehydration. |
| Hernia of the white line | A severe disease of the abdominal cavity, the signs of which are the release of individual parts of the small and large intestine into the lumen of the muscular layer and epithelial tissues of the abdomen. A woman experiences acute pain in the navel area, which becomes even stronger when bending over, bending the abdomen, or lifting objects weighing over 3 kg. Elimination of pain arising for this reason is only possible through surgery. |
| Intestinal ischemia | It develops as a result of thrombosis of the main vessels that provide nutrition to the tissues of this organ of the gastrointestinal tract. Local inflammation occurs and intestinal function is disrupted. The woman feels a sharp pain, which forces her to take a horizontal position. It is the most dangerous cause of pain from the navel, as it requires emergency surgical intervention. Otherwise, intestinal necrosis may develop with further removal of part of it. |
| Giardiasis | This is an infectious lesion of the tissues of the liver and small intestine. Giardia enters the digestive tract along with contaminated water and food. The main symptoms of the disease are sharp pain in the navel, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, the appearance of red rashes on the surface of the abdomen, and an increase in body temperature to 38 degrees Celsius. The pain syndrome disappears immediately after antibiotic therapy. Women with weak immune systems are at risk. |
| Dysbacteriosis in pregnant women | Due to hormonal surges and temporary disruption of metabolic processes in the body, intestinal dysbiosis may develop. In this case, the numerical population of pathogenic microorganisms increases in the gastrointestinal tract cavity. A woman complains of navel spasms, diarrhea, increased gas production, nausea, and bloating, which is especially noticeable after eating. |
| Cystitis | A common disease of the female genitourinary system. Inflammation of the bladder and its ducts occurs, as a result of which the woman feels compressive pain in the navel area. In the absence of timely and adequate treatment, the disease can become chronic with the periodic appearance of pain. |
| Endometriosis | Pathology of the female reproductive system. The inner layer of the uterus grows beyond the genital organ, inflammation of the appendages occurs, and static pressure is also exerted on other internal organs of the abdominal cavity or pelvis. In this regard, a woman may feel aching pain in the center of the abdomen, which radiates to the navel. |
| Uterine fibrosis | A dangerous disease that is characterized by the appearance of one or several neoplasms of benign etiology. Tumor tissue grows and the anatomical location of internal organs is disrupted. In this case, the woman may experience both acute and aching pain from the lower part of the navel. It all depends on the stage of the pathological process, as well as the volume of the tumor. |
| Oncology | We are talking about a malignant neoplasm that can develop in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract, uterus, and ovaries. In the first stages of cancer development, the pain is aching and not pronounced. As the tumor grows and metastases spread, the pain syndrome increases. A woman may feel sharp stabbing sensations appearing right in the center of her navel. |
Ovulation
Since it can be difficult to determine how many days before your period a stomach ache begins, this phenomenon may affect the period of ovulation. Depending on the characteristics of a woman’s body, it can occur between days 7 and 19 of the cycle. This gap is explained by the influence of external factors on the body - stress, overwork, health conditions and others.
Minor nagging pain in the lower abdomen is a common sign of ovulation and, due to an irregular cycle, can be bothersome about a week before your period. Discomfort may be accompanied by slight bleeding, a slightly exalted state, increased libido, increased taste buds and sense of smell.
Pregnancy
Fertilization of the egg can make itself felt with very specific symptoms - a delay in menstruation and unbearable pain in the lower abdomen. In the second or third week of pregnancy, such symptoms can easily be confused with the upcoming critical days in the new month.
Such signs can appear either for natural reasons associated with hormonal changes in the body, or become an alarming signal.
Causes for concern may be:
- three or four days before the expected menstruation, an elevated temperature is observed;
- acute painful sensations in the lower abdomen and back, radiating to the groin and pubis;
- spasmodic pulsating sensations;
- feeling of tension and pressure in the abdomen;
- any discomfort that appeared along with bloody or brown discharge on the 5th or 6th day of the delay;
- malaise is accompanied by nausea and vomiting;
- pain in the fifth week of pregnancy may warn of an ectopic pregnancy.
Even if the discomfort is not too annoying, you should consult a doctor. It would be a good idea to take a test to make sure you are pregnant.
Benign neoplasms
Hormonal instability can lead to the development of various types of formations and compactions.
Uterine fibroids are the cause of 50% of cases of reproductive system disease. This is a benign tumor that forms in the myometrium due to hormonal imbalance. The hormone estrogen fuels the growth of formation. Fibroids progress throughout the reproductive period, until menopause, when the body stops producing estrogen.
The risk of the disease increases in the case of processes that affect hormonal levels:
- inflammatory processes;
- endometriosis;
- endocrine diseases;
- gynecological operations and abortions;
- lack of regular sex life.
The symptoms of the disease are similar to many other gynecological pathologies, so the tumor can only be identified during an examination by a gynecologist. Reasons to suspect something is wrong may be: very strong nagging pain before menstruation, pressure on the bladder, heavier periods than usual, and as a result of heavy blood loss, pale skin, weakness.
Inflammatory processes
Feeling unwell 3 or 4 days before the onset of menstruation may indicate inflammatory processes in the reproductive organs. If usually the sensations were not too uncomfortable, then inflammation will greatly increase the pain.
The causative agent of pathogenic processes can be sexually transmitted infections and viruses. There is a high probability of them entering the body with the onset of cold weather. The body does not have time to adapt, which leads to a sharp decrease in immunity.
The appearance of inflammation is possible against the background of another disease of a viral or infectious nature. This is especially true for infection of the pelvic and abdominal organs.
The most common inflammatory diseases accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen:
- Adnexitis is inflammation of the ovaries and appendages. The following set of symptoms is typical for the pathology: fever, weakness, chills, nausea, vomiting, burning during urination, purulent discharge, tension in the abdominal cavity and abdominal pain with cramps before menstruation and in other phases of the cycle.
- Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix, infectious and non-infectious. The disease can be almost asymptomatic. In other cases, sipping sensations in the lower abdomen are characteristic, especially pronounced during sex. The disease can manifest itself as bleeding between menstruation, as well as purulent mucous discharge.
- Vulvitis is an external inflammation of the genital organs. Pain and tingling usually spreads to the lower abdomen, radiating to the pubic and genital area. A yellowish discharge appears with varying consistency and has an unpleasant odor. As symptoms worsen, the temperature may rise and fatigue may be felt.
- Endometritis is an acute inflammation of the surface layer of the endometrium. The chronic form of the disease develops as a result of infections in the area of the uterus and fallopian tubes, which can occur against the background of other gynecological diseases, complications after childbirth and surgical interventions. Inflammation can be provoked by urogenital infections - chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma and herpes virus. Occurs with acute symptoms: temperature above 38 degrees, abdominal pain, purulent discharge, migraines, bloating.
Diagnosis of pain around the navel
The cause of pain around the navel (in women, the appearance of spasm is often associated with diseases of the reproductive system), which can only be determined by examination results, should be diagnosed in a public hospital or private clinic.
A patient who suffers from attacks of pain from the navel should undergo the following types of examinations:
- Ultrasound of internal organs located in the abdominal cavity;
- ECG of the heart muscle to exclude the presence of concomitant pathologies of the cardiovascular system, coronary disease, which leads to impaired blood circulation in the tissues;
- blood from a finger for its clinical examination, as well as from a vein for analysis of the level of sex hormones;
- gastroscopy of the stomach, the principle of which is that a probe with a video camera is inserted through the esophagus into the stomach cavity, which transmits a digital image to a computer monitor, displaying the real state of the tissues of the organ and its mucous membrane;
- intestinal endoscopy, which is carried out by inserting an endoscope through the anus (this diagnostic method allows you to determine the condition of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract);
- X-ray examination of the intestines, as well as other internal organs that have a hollow structure (stomach, bladder, kidneys);
- examination by a gynecologist, taking a smear from the walls of the vaginal mucosa to determine the microflora of the female reproductive system;
- coprogram of feces to exclude dysbacteriosis in a woman, as well as infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The initial appointment of the patient is carried out by a general practitioner. The specialist performs an examination and palpation of the surface of the abdomen in the navel area.
If necessary, writes a referral for consultation with other specialists, or prescribes diagnostics independently. A comprehensive examination in a private clinic will cost 5,000-6,000 rubles. In a public hospital, examination services are provided free of charge.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside its natural layer in more than 8% of women during the reproductive period. The disease is hormonal in nature, but medical articles and studies have not yet given an exact answer about the causes of the pathology.
The disease is one of the main causes of abdominal pain, and it is often confused with normal menstrual discomfort.
At risk of pathology are:
- women with a menstrual cycle of less than 27 days and painful menstruation;
- those who have previously had cases of the disease in their family;
- girls who started their first periods early;
- nulliparous or late giving birth women.
For the vast majority of the menstrual cycle, endometriosis can develop almost asymptomatically. The signs intensify and make themselves felt when, a week before your period, an uncomfortable pulling sensation in the lower abdomen and lower back begins. There is pain during sexual intercourse, spotting in the last phases of the cycle, constipation, frequent urination, and a slight increase in temperature.
A woman's lower abdomen hurts, as before menstruation: causes and treatment
Most often, pain in the lower abdomen occurs on the first day of menstruation, as well as a week before menstruation. In other situations, healthy women do not experience discomfort in the appendage area.
Heaviness and pain in the abdomen indicate the development of serious pathologies. You should be especially wary of constant pain, accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, when the time for your period has not yet arrived. It is necessary to determine its nature: the pain can be slight or intense, appear and disappear suddenly. Treatment is prescribed only by a doctor depending on the identified pathology.
- 1 Causes and symptoms 1.1 Pregnancy 1.1.1 Threat of miscarriage
Only a specialist can determine the exact cause that caused a woman’s pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen. To do this, he will conduct a differential diagnosis for the presence of pregnancy. A healthy patient should not experience pain. This situation carries the risk of miscarriage or the development of dangerous pathologies in the body.
Many patients complain of irregularities in the menstrual cycle, while the test is negative, and pain and heaviness in the lower abdomen are felt on days 20-23 of the cycle or during ovulation. Similar symptoms occur on the right or left, sometimes spreading throughout the abdomen.
Sometimes the cause of pain in the lower abdomen lies in the development of inflammation of the genital organs, which include: cysts and tumors, inflammation or apoplexy of the ovaries, uterine fibroids, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. In case of slight torsion of the cyst leg, slight pain occurs due to impaired blood circulation.
Early pregnancy is often accompanied by symptoms similar to those of PMS (premenstrual syndrome). This condition lasts about seven days and is associated with the implantation of an egg in the uterus. Main symptoms:
- heaviness in the lower back;
- excessive excitability;
- nausea;
- hardening of the mammary glands;
- delay of menstruation;
- drowsiness;
- spotting bloody discharge (rare);
- lower abdominal pain.
During pregnancy, due to the rapid enlargement of the uterus, many women experience pain and heaviness, but it is minor. With an ectopic pregnancy (positive test), these symptoms appear due to inflammation and narrowing of the fallopian tubes by adhesions.
It is important to remember that heaviness and pain in the lower part are often confused with symptoms of miscarriage. During pregnancy, it is normal if the discomfort is not severe and lasts a few minutes.
The highest percentage of the possibility of a threatened miscarriage occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially if the woman does not know about her new condition. When the egg does not attach to the wall of the uterus, bleeding occurs. If a woman is aware of her pregnancy and feels intense pain (especially in the later stages), she should urgently consult a gynecologist. This usually indicates uterine hypertonicity, which threatens miscarriage.
During the ovulation period, after embryo transfer, some women experience pain and heaviness during the maturation and movement of the egg into the uterine cavity, as during menstruation. Additional symptoms are: spotting, increased pain during sexual intercourse, associated with sprained ovarian ligaments. The pain lasts from 2-3 hours to two days, after which it goes away on its own.
In women suffering from this disease, pain occurs before menstruation and continues until it ends. Additional symptoms:
- cramping and nagging pain radiating to the groin;
- nausea;
- weakness and drowsiness.
There are primary and secondary forms of algodismenorrhea. The first is not related to inflammation of the genital organs and is detected in girls under 16 years of age. The second occurs in adults and women who have given birth and is usually associated with gynecological pathologies.
With normal hormonal levels, a woman never experiences abdominal discomfort when her period has passed or in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Period-like pain is associated with increased production of prostaglandin (hormones) in the body. Its excess provokes painful contractions of the uterus, usually at the end of menstruation.
If the cause of pain is hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, additional symptoms occur: weight loss, lethargy, drowsiness and insomnia.
When to Seek Medical Help
If discomfort accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen seven days before menstruation bothers you regularly, you should consult a gynecologist.
It is also important to pay attention to the occurrence of the following symptoms:
- painful discomfort more than five days before menstruation accompanied by bleeding;
- discomfort occurs during or after sex;
- you notice changes in body temperature;
- feeling sick, feeling the urge to vomit;
- pain extends to the lower back, legs or genitals;
- the discharge has acquired a yellowish or purulent tint, and an unpleasant odor has appeared;
- the lower abdomen hurts and aches before menstruation in the postpartum period or after surgery.
If abdominal discomfort is accompanied by additional symptoms, it would be better to immediately undergo a medical diagnosis and do all the necessary tests.
Based on comments on women's forums, many women are accustomed to considering pain a few days before their period as part of the menstrual cycle. However, it is important to remember that an ailment that deprives you of the joy of life can be an alarm bell and warn of the presence of serious pathologies, especially if you are sick for the first time. Timely examination is the key to quickly solving the problem. Love yourself and don't let pain ruin your life.
When to see a doctor
It is necessary to visit a general practitioner or surgeon in the first 24-48 hours after attacks of aching pain appear.
If you feel acute pain, continuous spasms in the navel area, a visit to the doctor should not be delayed for longer than 2 hours. This is due to the fact that a painful symptom may indicate severe inflammation or a necrotic process in the tissues of the uterus, intestines, appendages, which requires emergency surgery.
