For a girl during sexual development, the most significant event is the onset of menstruation. It is this process in the body that shows that a woman is ready to reproduce offspring. The cycle depends on the hormonal system, which is controlled by the hypothalamus. However, this process is usually accompanied by aching pain in the lower abdomen, especially in the first days of the cycle. Some have ovaries during menstruation. In what may be the cause of such pain, and what troubles may be behind it, we will try to figure it out further.
When does the menstrual cycle begin and what does it depend on
The menstrual cycle in Latin means "lunar, monthly." Its beginning is considered the first day of menstruation.
As a rule, for most girls, this occurs between 12 and 15 years. There are cases and the onset of the early menarche (from 9 years to 15 years) - primary amenorrhea. This is also considered the norm.
Menstruation at the age of 40-58 years stops. A woman begins to fade reproductive function. This period is called menopause. At first, menstruation becomes irregular, and then completely stops.
The onset of the menstrual cycle and the time when menopause occurs, depend on several factors:
- Hereditary predisposition. As a rule, the beginning of the first menstruation, as well as their end, may slightly coincide with that of a mother or grandmother.
- The general state of health of a woman.
- Ecological situation. It is no secret that environmental factors affect the health of the body, and therefore, all its functions.
- Features nutrition. Doctors note that excessive thinness, constant sitting on strict diets can contribute to the late appearance of menstruation or even their complete absence.
Inheritance in this case is the main factor. However, given the acceleration of the modern generation, it is not surprising that menarche may occur a little earlier than that of a mother or grandmother. Also, some diseases and surgical interventions, as a result of which the ovaries hurt during menstruation, have a great influence.
If menstruation did not occur before 17-18 years, this can be a sign of serious developmental disorders. It is urgent to visit a gynecologist and undergo the necessary examination.
What happens during the menstrual cycle
This cycle can be divided into several stages.
- Follicular.
- The formation of the corpus luteum.
At the first stage, in the first days of menstruation , the level of estrogen in the blood is significantly reduced. And this is a signal for the hypothalamus that it is necessary to increase the release of follicle-stimulating hormones. They get to the ovaries and stimulate the production of estrogen. These hormones depend on each other: the more one is secreted, the more stimulated is the excretion of the other.
Estrogens are responsible for the development and growth of follicles and eggs. The duration of this stage is individual for each woman. But it is known that the time during which the follicle matures determines the duration of the entire cycle in a woman. Therefore, all other phases are equal in duration with the period of follicular maturation. It is estimated that the average cycle time is 28 days. This means that the follicle matures in about 14 days. But the cycle can have a duration and a long one, for example, 30 or even 31 days.
The wall of the ovary in the place where the follicle ripens, is very thin. The follicle matures until it ruptures and the egg comes out of it. This process is called ovulation.
At the second stage, a yellow body begins to form on the site of the ruptured follicle. It promotes the release of hormones that prepare the uterus for the possible bearing of the fetus. These are estradiol and progesterone. This phase is almost the same for almost everyone and usually lasts for two weeks.
Further, two scenarios are possible.
If fertilization has occurred, the corpus luteum will grow until a placenta is formed. The amount of hormones will also increase. If fertilization has not occurred, the corpus luteum will decrease until it degenerates into scar tissue. Accordingly, the amount of hormones will decrease, but not increase, as in the opposite case. And when their production stops, the agormonal phase will come, or, as it is also called, the “zero” phase. At this time, menstruation begins.
What affects the duration of menstruation
Monthly periods usually last 3-5 days. Menstrual bleeding is a transition phase from one menstrual cycle to another.
The amount of hormones in the blood decreases sharply, the blood supply to the endometrium as a result is insufficient, and the mucous membrane begins to exfoliate and tear away from the uterus. And since this cannot happen at the same time, the “pleasure” is delayed and takes several days. During this period, women often ask the question: “Why do the ovaries hurt during menstruation?” We will answer it, only a little later.
What affects the duration of menstruation and the menstrual cycle:
- Acceptance of oral contraceptives.
- Somatic diseases.
- Stressful situations.
- Physical exercise.
- Features nutrition.
The female body is very sensitive to all of the above factors. Unfortunately, not every woman can say for sure when the first period comes. But then, if you keep a calendar, it is quite possible to calculate an approximate start and end date for critical days. However, we are concerned not only with the duration of this process, but also with the pain that these days are.
A very common complaint of women during this period is soreness in the lower abdomen, and many have ovaries during menstruation.
Cause of lower abdominal pain
About 60-70% of women complain of such unpleasant and painful sensations during menstruation. In 10% of cases, the pain is so intense that it significantly affects the general condition and ability to work. Representatives of the fair sex often ask the question: “Can the ovary hurt during menstruation? Maybe the uterus hurts from contractions? ”We’ll try to figure it out, but first we’ll consider what kind of pain can be and what can cause it.
Pain can be:
In this case, the following conditions can be observed:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting
- General malaise.
- Headache.
- Discomfort in the lower back.
- Fever.
- Disorder of the digestive tract.
Cramping pains that appear on the first day of menstruation most often disappear after childbirth. Aching people can bother until menopause. But, as a rule, pain of any nature passes on the 2-3rd day of menstruation.
What can cause pain:
- Difficult outflow of menstrual flow and, as a result, increased contractions of the uterus.
- Psychological stress.
- Physical overwork.
- Somatic diseases.
- Hypersensitivity to their own sex hormones.
- Various diseases of the reproductive system.
However, very often women complain precisely that the ovaries are sore during menstruation. If such symptoms appear, then you need to visit a specialist. He will conduct an examination to find out the cause of this condition.
Why do the ovaries hurt during menstruation
The reasons can be serious or not at all dangerous.
If a woman feels pain - this is normal, doctors call this phenomenon an ovulatory syndrome. Discomfort is common and does not cause concern. But to make sure (if your menstruation hurts your ovaries during your period) that you do not have any pathologies, it is better to consult a doctor.
The causes of pain can also be completely harmless. We highlight some of them:
- The hormonal background is broken.
- There are inflammatory diseases of the genitals.
- The presence of tumor formations.
- Ovaries are often sore during menstruation if a woman has an abnormality in the development and location of the internal genital organs.
- Violation of the monthly cycle.
Very often, women complain that pain in the ovaries is noted on two sides, but mainly on one side. Next, we discuss what could be the fault.
Ovary on the right during menstruation hurts
As we know, the ovaries are a paired organ. And pain in one of them can be a very dangerous symptom.
Here are some reasons why the right ovary hurts during menstruation:
- Polycystic On ultrasound, it will look like a ball filled with small balls - these are small cysts. A very common disease.
- The inflammatory process in the appendage of the right ovary.
- Adnexitis of the right ovary. Pain in this case can cover not only the right side, but also give to the lower back.
- Tumor process. In the early stages, it can be almost asymptomatic, but in the case of the development of pathology, the pain will already be stable.
If the right ovary hurts during menstruation and these pains are stable, it is necessary to undergo an examination with a gynecologist to find out a reliable cause. This is the only way to choose an effective treatment and cope with discomfort.
But it happens that the question: “Why does the right ovary hurt during menstruation?” Acute appendicitis may be the answer. Therefore, with very severe pain, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Ovary on the left during menstruation
And if the left ovary hurts during menstruation? Since the organ is paired, the reasons can be identified almost the same. Repeat them:
- Ovarian inflammation.
- Inflammation of the appendage.
- Polycystic
- Fluid retention in the follicle causes the so-called ovulatory pain.
- Stimulation with hormonal drugs. In this case, the ovaries can greatly increase, and the corpus luteum becomes cystic, which will cause pain in the ovary.
If you do not receive timely treatment and do not eliminate the cause (this applies to inflammatory processes), then this can lead to infertility.
We go to the doctor
When determining the reason why the ovaries are very sore during menstruation, it is necessary to take into account not only the woman's age, but also what lifestyle she leads. Such pains can bother not only women, but also girls, whose menstrual cycle has not yet begun. Hypothermia can cause the development of an inflammatory process in the ovaries, even in childhood.
If you have ovarian pain during your period, you should consult a gynecologist. For diagnostics you will need:
- Get an ultrasound scan.
- Take hormone tests.
- Take a blood test.
After the examination, the doctor may ask you the following questions:
- What type of pain in the ovaries: aching or paroxysmal?
- In what place is pain most often localized?
- How often does she appear?
- What is the duration of pain attacks?
- Is there vomiting, nausea during bouts of pain?
- Are there somatic diseases or other chronic pathologies?
By analyzing the patient's responses and examination results, the doctor will be able to determine the cause of the pathology and prescribe the correct treatment. Only competent therapy, conducted to the end, will help you get rid of pain in the ovaries during menstruation.
Severe ovarian pain
If the ovary is very sore during menstruation, and this is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, general weakness, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, nausea (up to vomiting), an ambulance must be urgently called. Such signs may indicate the following pathological conditions:
- Apoplexy and rupture of the ovary.
- Purulent process - peritonitis.
- Perhaps a cyst burst or a torsion of her legs occurred.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- The development of acute appendicitis.
Particular attention should be drawn to a pulsating pain, which may indicate a torsion of the legs of the ovarian cyst. This creates the feeling that these are ordinary menstrual pains. You need to be careful about this kind of discomfort and better listen to your body.
What to do and how to help yourself
If you have already visited a doctor and know that the cause of your ovarian pain lies in a simple ovulatory syndrome, then you can use tools that will ease your condition.
Each woman has her own ways to relieve spasm. So, for example, you can:
- Attach an ice pack to the lower abdomen, and a hot heating pad to your feet.
- Drink some alcohol to relax.
- Drink plenty of water, about 8-10 glasses a day.
- Eliminate caffeine and sugar from food, as well as reduce fat intake.
- Take hot peppermint or raspberry tea.
- Alternate sedentary cold and hot baths (the procedure makes it easy to cope with stagnant processes in the pelvic cavity).
- It is allowed to take painkillers.
I would like to note that a woman can do a lot to prevent pain in the ovaries, taking care of herself. Experts recommend:
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Eat right.
- Live a healthy life.
- Observe the regime of work and rest.
- To refuse from bad habits.
- Do not lift weights.
- Dress warmly in the cold season.
- Do not swim in cold water.
- Use a condom when changing partners.
- Keep personal hygiene products clean.
- Correctly and timely treat inflammatory diseases.
- Regularly undergo preventive examinations by a gynecologist.
If you often have ovulatory syndrome, one way to get rid of these pains is to get pregnant. As practice shows, many women after childbirth got rid of pain during menstruation. But this is purely individual in each individual case, therefore, a single recipe for cure does not exist. Take care of yourself and be healthy!