The difference between menstrual lumbago and pregnancy, find out here!

Back pain can be felt by both men and women. However, women do tend to be more prone to experience it, especially during menstruation and pregnancy. Now unfortunately, quite a lot of women don't know the difference between back pain that is caused by menstruation and which is a symptom of pregnancy.

In fact, the ability to distinguish between the two is important so that you can quickly get the right treatment and care. In order not to be fooled, recognize the differences in back pain due to menstruation and pregnancy by reading the article below.

Differences in the causes of menstrual lumbago and pregnancy

The most common cause of low back pain is strained muscles (sprains), usually the result of being exhausted from strenuous physical activity such as lifting things or playing sports. But especially for women, back pain tends to be more prone to occur during menstruation and during pregnancy.

So first of all, you need to understand first what is the difference between the causes of back pain due to menstruation and what appears as a symptom of pregnancy.

Causes of back pain during menstruation

Back pain during menstruation indicates that the uterine muscles are contracting strong enough to shed the tissue, which you know as menstrual blood. Back pain is a sign of PMS, aka menstrual pain, which occurs due to changes in body hormones during the menstrual cycle.

Low back pain can usually be felt within 1-2 days before menstruation when prostaglandin levels increase in the lining of the uterus. The levels will be highest on the first day of menstruation. This increase in prostaglandins triggers the uterus to contract in order to shed its walls.

Back pain that occurs during menstruation is usually mild. However, the more prostaglandins produced, the effect of back pain will be stronger and may even spread to the back and all over the legs. In some cases, the intensity of the pain can be severe and interfere with daily activities. Severe menstrual pain is commonly referred to as dysmenorrhea.

Causes of back pain during pregnancy

Back pain is also an early sign of pregnancy. The difference in the main causes of the appearance of back pain during pregnancy is actually not so contrasting to that that occurs due to the menstrual cycle.

Low back pain that occurs at the beginning of the first trimester is generally caused by hormonal changes in preparation for pregnancy. When the body begins to produce more progesterone, the muscles in the fallopian tubes become weak, allowing the fertilized egg to enter the uterus.

Complaints of back pain during pregnancy also indicate an implantation process, when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Implantation occurs about a week after ovulation or about 6-12 days after conception.

As the womb gets bigger, some pregnant women can still feel back pain. Usually this is caused by the release of more relaxin hormone so that the ligaments and structures that bind the bones to the joints in the pelvis are stretched.

This stretch makes muscle tissue unable to support weight and posture as well as before pregnancy. As a result, pregnant women can feel back pain more often.

In addition, low back pain during pregnancy can also be caused by:

Indigestion symptoms such as flatulence and constipation in early pregnancy.
Gaining weight throughout pregnancy.
The body's changing center of gravity. The enlarged abdomen causes the posture to lean forward or backward. The muscles of the waist that hold the weight of the body are pulled so that they then weaken and tire quickly.
Pinched nerves during pregnancy because the weight of the content increases the more it puts excessive pressure on the pelvic joints.
Change in the position of the baby in the womb can also increase pressure on the pelvic nerves, causing low back pain during pregnancy.

Differences in symptoms of menstrual lumbago and pregnancy

So if you are anxiously awaiting whether this time the monthly guests are coming or the prospective baby, how do you tell the difference?

You can realize the difference between back pain due to menstruation and being pregnant from paying attention to the symptoms you have.

Symptoms of back pain due to menstruation

Back pain that occurs during menstruation will usually also be accompanied by other menstrual pain symptoms, in the form of:

Dull cramps in the lower abdominal area, but persistent without pause
A throbbing pain that surrounds the waist and back, radiating down the back of the thigh to the legs.
Nauseous vomit.
Feeling tired and weak.
Diarrhea.
Headache.
Fainting, if the pain is so intense.

As the day progresses, the prostaglandin levels will then drop towards the end of your menstrual cycle. Abdominal cramps and back pain will usually subside when prostaglandin levels drop and menstruation is over.

Symptoms of back pain during pregnancy

Quoted from Spine Health, back pain during pregnancy can get worse and can interfere with the ability to work or do certain activities.

Symptoms of low back pain during pregnancy generally include:

Pain that is constant or may come and go on one side of the buttocks or legs.
Sharp pain and a burning sensation in the waist.
Pain from the buttocks to the lower back of the thigh and radiating to the legs.
Stiff until you feel cramps up to the legs.
Pain or tenderness in the pelvis or coccyx.
Prickling numbness or tingling sensation, or even weakness in the affected leg.

Back pain can feel achy and dull at first and then feel stabbing and sharp like cramps. Pain may also come and go. Gradually, the pain can make it difficult for you to move and stand upright.

How to deal with menstrual lumbago and pregnancy remains the same even though there are many differences

Back pain that is felt by women both during menstruation and when pregnant has many differences. However, the way to deal with both of them remains the same. You can do the following ways to deal with back pain safely:

1. Take pain relievers

Low back pain can be treated with mild pain relievers. However, of course there are differences from the types of drugs you can take to treat back pain due to menstruation and during pregnancy.

During menstruation, you can still take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Meanwhile, pregnant women are only advised to take paracetamol. Taking ibuprofen or aspirin should be avoided throughout pregnancy.

2. Compress and massage the waist

Compressing the waist using a warm washcloth or heating pad can help relieve pain that is felt both during menstruation and pregnancy.

Try applying a warm or cold compress to your waist for 10-15 minutes until the pain subsides. Give it a break of about 15 minutes before reapplying it if needed.

As a distraction, try gently massaging the aching part of the waist to deal with back pain both during menstruation and during pregnancy. However, if you are pregnant, avoid massaging the abdomen vigorously.

3. Take breaks

There is not much difference in how to deal with back pain during pregnancy and menstruation. You just need to rest your body by first avoiding doing too much physical activity for 2-3 days.

During rest, it is also important to pay attention to posture. Leaning forward can stretch your spine. Try to maintain proper posture when standing, walking, sitting, and sleeping.

4. Simple stretches

In between breaks, try to get up occasionally doing simple stretching movements or yoga specifically for pregnant women to relieve back pain. Alternatively, you can try ways to deal with back pain with light exercise such as walking or swimming.

Regular stretching or moderate exercise can strengthen and flex muscles. This also simultaneously relieves stress on the spine that causes back pain.

5. Acupuncture

Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective in relieving lower back pain during menstruation and pregnancy. Before doing this, don't forget to consult your gynecologist if you are pregnant.

6. Drink enough water

Drinking water can help the body not feel bloated during menstruation or pregnancy. Try to drink warm water which can relieve cramps and menstrual lumbago and pregnancy because warm water can increase blood flow and relax muscles.