Lower back pain in women may be a symptom of diseases of the spine, kidneys and reproductive organs, as well as to be a consequence of injury, so it is impossible to ignore the signal of the body about the trouble. Let's look at why a sore lower back for women and how to treat this condition.
Features of lower back pain in women and the mechanism of their occurrence
Lower back pain in women can be transient, prolonged or permanent. The duration of this symptom allows you to suspect a particular cause of their appearance. For example, short-term episode of pain in the lumbar region often occurs on the background of external influence – injury or physical exertion.
At the same time, a constant sensation of pain in the lower back may indicate more serious causes, such as lumbar osteochondrosis, urolithiasis, inflammation of the appendages, etc.
Therefore, prolonged or persistent pain in the lumbar region require specialist advice in the first place, therapist. The doctor on the basis of the examination of the body will be able to suggest the cause of the problem and guide to appropriate specialists.
In addition to the duration of the pain syndrome, it is important to determine the intensity and localization.
Depending on the intensity of the pain can be slight, medium, intense and strong.
Lower back pain can be unilateral and zoster. Unilateral location of pain characteristic of inflammation of the ovaries, kidney disease, ureteral stones, etc. in addition, the pain may radiate to the lower abdomen, inner thighs, genitals, coccyx, sacrum, or upper quadrant.
Pain in the lumbar region in women is very often combined with pain in the abdomen.
It should also be said that the pain can be localized both above and below the waist. In addition to pain syndrome a woman can trouble and other unpleasant symptoms, e.g., fever, malaise, different discharges and abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, etc.
Let's discuss what a sore lower back in women.
Sore lower back: causes in women
The female body has a number of features, for example, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, gynecological diseases, which greatly expand the range of diseases causing pain in the lumbar region. In young men, the appearance of back pain is primarily associated with pathology of the spine. At the same time, the first thing you must exclude specific causes of back pain in women, regardless of their age.
Causes of lower back pain in women can be both physiological and pathological conditions.
Among the physiological causes, lower back pain need to provide the following:
- pregnancy;
- menstruation;
- menopause.
Pathological causes of pain in the lumbar region can be factors such as:
- excessive physical load;
- lack of exercise;
- hypothermia;
- diseases of the spine;
- kidney and urinary tract;
- pathology of the reproductive system;
- injury.
Consider in more detail each reason, as well as learn how to help themselves in such cases.
Pregnancy and back pain
Very often pregnancy accompanied by pain in the lower back, especially in the last trimester. Provoke the emergence of pain syndrome the following factors:
- weight gain;
- the redistribution of the load on the spine;
- the weakening of muscle tone;
- the expansion of the pelvic cavity.
These factors have a place in the last months of pregnancy, when the fetus is gaining weight, which affects the weight of the woman, and pelvis, preparing to leave.
At the same time back pain in early pregnancy in most cases is a dangerous signal, which may indicate early miscarriage. Also, pain may be accompanied by bloody discharge, fever, General weakness etc.
Therefore, in order to avoid serious consequences for the woman and fetus, you should inform the doctor-obstetrician-gynecologist about lumbar pain.
Treatment. If back pain is associated exclusively with pregnancy and a woman does not have any pathology, for relief of the condition are advised to wear special bandages that can be purchased at the pharmacy. Such devices reduce the load on the spine and normalize the center of gravity of the body.
If a woman has noted a weight gain above the norm, it is necessary to adjust the diet: limit sweets, pickles, animal fats and other high calorie products.
Also to cope with the back pain help yoga, swimming, Pilates or gymnastics.
Menstruation and back pain
Menstrual pain can be localized not only in the lower abdomen, but lower back, sacrum. A major role in the occurrence of pain in the lumbar region in this case is changes in hormonal balance in the female body.
A sore lower back before menstruation due to the fact, in this period in the blood increases the level of progesterone, which lowers the pain threshold. Therefore, even the most minor contractions of the uterus that can cause pain in the lower back.
Also contribute to the emergence of pain in the lower back before and during menstruation the following factors:
- fluid retention in the tissues, leading to edema, weight gain, stretching of the capsule and ligaments of the organs, especially uterus, bladder, which put pressure on the spine and its muscles;
- the reduction of the myometrium to separate the procedural layer of the endometrium, during which there is irritation of the nerve endings;
- the presence of uterine contraception — spirals, especially if it is installed incorrectly
- the effect of progestins on the intestinal wall, which is manifested by intestinal pain, diarrhea. Therefore, before menstruation often sore tailbone, sacrum and lower back.
Treatment. Severe menstrual cramps the gynecologist may consider the assignment of drugs. In this case, can be used antispasmodics or homeopathic remedies. It is also recommended to limit this period, the fluid intake and salt.
Menopause and lower back pain
Menopause is characterized by weak ovaries, causing drastic hormonal changes women. Due to the lack of estrogen in the body appears in the bones osteoporosis, which leads to brittle bone, which is often accompanied by aching in the joints and the lower back.
At the age of menopause in women significantly increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis, which is characterized by pain in the lower back.
Treatment. You first need to determine the cause of back pain, then appointed etiological, symptomatic therapy. Patients is also appointed mineral complexes, which will strengthen bone tissue, vitamins, physical therapy, physical exercises to strengthen the muscle corset back.
Also the medical complex is complemented by a balanced diet. In the daily diet must be present fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat and poultry.
Excessive physical load and low back pain
Very often women report pain in the lower back after lifting weight, overload in the gym, active play with the child, work in the garden etc. These factors lead to spasm of the back muscles, resulting in irritation of the nerve endings, which is manifested by pain in the lower back and entire back. The woman also difficult to lean forward.
Normal the next day, the pain should go, if not, you need to consult neurologist to rule out spinal pathology.
Physical inactivity and lower back pain
Such creature comforts as cars, public transport, lift, computers, TV, etc., contribute to inactivity, which leads to atrophy and decline in muscle strength of the muscles of the body, particularly the back.
The spinal column protects and locks in a vertical position muscular corset, so any weakening of disturbed posture, appears low back pain and hernias, including lumbar. These diseases are accompanied by pain in the back, waist, sacrum.
Treatment. And the only effective method of dealing with the pain caused by lack of exercise, lead an active lifestyle. It will be enough to replace the drive in transport walking, the movement in the lift – walking up the stairs, and sedentary work need to do a small motor breaks every two to three hours. It is also recommended to do swimming, gymnastics, yoga, Nordic walking, etc.
Hypothermia and back pain
Back pain after hypothermia more common to get sick the hot season than in winter. This is because in the winter we dress warmly to go out, so the lower back does not experience strong changes in temperature. But in the summer, when working in the heat, in the lumbar region aktiviziruyutsya circulation and increases muscle activity, so if you blow the slightest breeze, there is muscle spasm, which causes pain.
Treatment. If you have back pain after the draft, you should observe strict bed rest for 2-3 days, brush the lower back pain ointments, make medications prescribed by the doctor, to exclude a sauna, a hot tub and limit physical activity.
Diseases of the spine and lower back pain
Most women suffer from this disease of the spine, as the degenerative disc disease. And lumbar osteochondrosis is more common than lesions of other parts of the spine. This is due to the high mobility of the lumbar vertebrae and put tremendous stress on the spinal column.
Osteochondrosis facing such complications, as the formation of hernias, and pinched nerves. Lumbar osteochondrosis and its complications are accompanied by pain in the lumbar region, which can give to the lower extremities, abdomen, sacrum and coccyx.
Treatment. In the fight against osteochondrosis apply anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise therapy, physiotherapy.
In the case of complications which threaten to disorders of the spine or spinal cord compression, surgical intervention is performed.
Kidney disease, urinary tract infections and back pain
Diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract are often accompanied by pain in the lower back. For example, lower back pain is more characteristic of pyelonephritis with chronic. If a sore lower back on the right women, the reason most likely lies in a unilateral lesion of the inflammatory process.
In addition, kidney disease and urinary system is rarely manifested only by pain in the lower back. Such patients complain of fever, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, excessive sweating, frequent urination, appearance of blood or pus in urine etc. for Example, lower back pain and frequent urination in women are most often the symptoms of urinary tract infections, kidney stones.
Treatment. Therapy of pyelonephritis and cystitis is the use of antimicrobials, because these diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Besides drug therapy, it is imperative to stick to a diet, the essence of which is the exception to the daily diet of smoked meat, herbs, spices and restriction salt.
Pathology of reproductive system and lower back pain
Lower back pain often bother women who suffer from gynecological diseases, namely:
- ovarian cyst;
- polyps of the uterine cavity;
- endometriosis;
- apoplexy of the ovary;
- inflammation of the ovary;
- inflammation of the fallopian tubes;
- cervical cancer and others.
The mechanism of occurrence of pain in gynecological diseases associated with the violation of hormonal background, inflammatory processes that apply to tissue in the lumbar region.
Regardless of the reason for the appearance of pain accompanied by pain in the abdomen, the secretions of different nature from the vagina, fever, menstrual disorders and other symptoms, you should consult with a specialist – gynecologist. Any gynecological disease threatens to infertility.
As you can see, the causes of lower back pain, the fair sex a lot, some of them are physiological and are not dangerous for health. But in most cases, back pain is a symptom of various diseases, therefore, requires a comprehensive examination and appropriate treatment.