A week before your period, your stomach hurts: could you be pregnant?

What are the symptoms of PMS?

• Changes in mood.
  The production of estrogen before menstruation causes aggressiveness, and progesterone – a feeling of fatigue and depression, depression.
• Breast tenderness and swelling.
  The hormone progesterone “prepares” a woman’s body for pregnancy after ovulation: under its influence, blood rushes to the mammary glands, they swell and increase in volume, which can cause discomfort before menstruation.
• Pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region.
  Such pain is a consequence of active contraction of the muscular layer of the uterus to reject the endometrial layer (mucous membrane) in the absence of fertilization of the egg.
• Acne and other skin manifestations.
  Progesterone before menstruation causes increased activity of the sebaceous glands and the production of large amounts of sebum, which contributes to the appearance of acne. It can also increase the body's sensitivity to various allergens.
• Bloating (flatulence) and bowel irregularities.
  A number of hormones cause flatulence before menstruation, and also contribute to a decrease in the tone of the intestinal muscles, which provokes constipation.
• Edema.
  Fluid retention in the body sometimes causes slight weight gain.
• Headaches and dizziness.
  One of the forms of PMS (cephalgic) is manifested by a throbbing headache that spreads to the eyeballs.
• Increased appetite.
  Due to a deficiency of estrogen in the blood, many women often feel an increased appetite before menstruation and try to satisfy their hunger with their favorite foods (for example, sweets).

Harbingers of menstruation

It is quite simple to understand that your period will soon come, knowing some of the characteristics of your own body, and the intensification of certain symptoms will help you determine the time intervals.

• Swelling of the mammary glands - their increase in size, engorgement, painful manifestations. Possible minor ones, which are often noticeable in the form of already curdled secretion.
• Nagging pain in the lower abdomen - the preparation of the uterus for the rejection of its inner layer (endometrium) is often accompanied by pain, expressed to a greater or lesser extent depending on the individual characteristics of the body. Pain may be associated with hormonal disorders, and therefore require observation and consultation with a gynecologist.
• Skin rashes are an optional but common symptom associated with hormonal changes.
• Lower back pain is a manifestation of changes in the uterus.
• Bowel movement is a normal reaction of the body in which metabolism is not impaired. During the period before menstruation, the body gets rid of everything unnecessary, including the smooth muscles of the intestines. In some cases, pain before menstruation is associated precisely with intestinal congestion, and the discomfort disappears with bowel movement.

There are also subjective harbingers of menstruation. These include an increase in appetite, some experience swelling of the legs, face, many complain of a state close to depression, and a general violation of moral stability or

Why does PMS occur?

The mechanisms of PMS development are not fully understood. Most experts consider the most common cause of PMS to be an imbalance - an imbalance in the ratio of estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body before menstruation. Excessive formation of the first hormone and insufficient formation of the second contributes to the appearance of symptoms such as, for example, headache, increased fatigue, and fluid retention in the body. In addition, the hormonal theory of the occurrence of PMS considers changes in the content of androgens (such as testosterone, androstenedione, etc.) and corticosteroids.

Characteristic discharge

In addition to the classic symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, women often experience characteristic discharge before menstruation. But many people don’t know what discharge should be like before menstruation.

Due to the fact that hormonal levels change throughout the menstrual cycle, vaginal discharge regularly changes its color, consistency and volume.

For example, immediately before menstruation, discharge becomes especially unusual due to the fact that the concentration of progesterone in a woman’s body increases, and estrogens begin to be synthesized in much smaller quantities.

Now let's look at what the discharge should be like before menstruation in a standard situation. Vaginal leucorrhoea begins to acquire a creamy consistency. Their color becomes slightly cloudy or white, and in some cases it acquires a yellowish tint. It must be emphasized that all of the options listed are considered normal and should not cause any concern to girls.

It is considered normal for vaginal discharge before menstruation to have no odor at all. Also, their appearance should not be accompanied by burning or itching. The volume of this leucorrhoea is constantly increasing; most women note that the labia become moist.

In some cases, women experience spotting before menstruation appears. However, their volume is so small that many simply do not pay any attention to them. It is considered normal if they appear one or two days before the period itself.

If a woman takes oral contraceptives for a long period, she most likely will not notice any change in the nature of the vaginal secretion. This will not be a gynecological disorder.

What can I do to relieve my symptoms?

Before your period, it is recommended to drink more water and eat more fruits and vegetables with high water content (for example, watermelon or cucumber). Some might think that a large amount of water will contribute to water retention, but this is not the case. If the symptoms of menstruation are severe and affect your life, you should consult a gynecologist or other doctor. If symptoms are severe, PMS treatment is required (after consultation with a doctor). It should be aimed at normalizing the concentration of sex hormones in the blood, removing fluid from the body, and eliminating concomitant diseases of the female genital organs. The main treatments for PMS are drug therapy and lifestyle changes.

The menstrual cycle has certain periods - during each of them the manifestation of typical symptoms is observed. The cycle begins with the formation of a follicle - on the first day when your period arrives. An egg is released from the follicle after 11-14 days - this phase is called the ovulatory phase.

From the beginning of ovulation until the start of menstruation, the luteal phase lasts - the maturation of the corpus luteum. During menstruation, the corpus luteum separates and the follicle begins to mature again.

The most striking symptoms before menstruation begin to appear in the ovulatory phase. Within a few days the following are observed:

• Sudden change of mood;
• Irritability;
• Insomnia or drowsiness;
• Craving for sweets;
• Chills.

During the release of the egg, the release of hormones is activated, which is why the psycho-emotional state of the woman is unstable. Precursors of menstruation are also expressed in increased fearfulness, light sleep and nightmares. Women during and before menstruation feel anxious; the danger is the effect of estrogens released in large quantities.

Premenstrual syndrome is not considered a deviation, but in medicine is considered a clinical phenomenon. PMS begins from the end of ovulation and lasts until the start of menstruation.

Signs of PMS before menstruation include:

• Aching, nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• Tingling and nagging pain in the lower back;
• Increased appetite - attacks of hunger can even wake a woman late at night;
• Sensitivity, irritability;
• Temperature rise to 37°C;
• Increased fatigue, drowsiness.

Particular attention should be paid to the chest. A week before menstruation, the mammary glands become sensitive and painful. Wearing a bra brings discomfort, it becomes small. The breasts may increase in size and become painful when pressed lightly.

Menstrual cycle and pregnancy

The normal length of a woman's cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days. It can be divided into two phases:

• follicular;
• luteal

The follicular phase begins on the 1st day of menstruation and is characterized by increased production of estrogen hormones. The secretion of steroids becomes possible due to the development of several follicles in the ovaries. High levels of estrogen affect endometrial proliferation. The growth of the inner layer of the uterus to the required thickness is a prerequisite for the subsequent implantation of the fertilized egg in the event of fertilization.

However, only one follicle, called the dominant one, goes through all stages of its development. The surge of LH in the middle of the cycle leads to rupture of the follicular membrane and the release of a mature egg, which is ready for subsequent fertilization. Its viability is 1-2 days. Fertilization occurs in the tube through the fusion of male and female reproductive cells. The introduction of the fertilized egg into the inner layer of the uterus is observed approximately 6 days after fusion.

In place of the follicle membranes, a corpus luteum is formed, which actively synthesizes progesterone, called the pregnancy hormone. The second phase of the cycle lasts from 12 to 14 days.

Important! A reduction in the luteal phase to 10 days indicates progesterone deficiency, which prevents pregnancy.

The most favorable period for fertilization is the day of ovulation. Pregnancy often occurs if sexual intercourse occurs 2 days before the release of the egg. If the sperm has good performance, male reproductive cells retain the ability to fertilize for up to 7 days.

In the absence of pregnancy, the corpus luteum regresses until menstruation. Cyclic changes in hormone levels cause the rejection of the endometrium, which is removed from the uterine cavity due to contraction of the myometrium in the form of bloody discharge.

Important! An increase in cycle length of more than 35 days usually indicates hormonal disorders and reproductive dysfunction.

General symptoms

These symptoms may begin long before menstruation. Since they understand that menstruation will begin soon, mainly by discharge, first of all examine the pad.

When menstruation approaches, the discharge becomes white, sometimes brown, with a faint sour odor. They become somewhat richer than usual and have a curd-like consistency.

If white and brown discharge is abundant, itching or burning is felt - these are not signs of the onset of menstruation, but a symptom of a microflora disorder. Having noticed this, you need to immediately go to the gynecologist and take a smear for candidiasis.

Common period symptoms also include fatigue, lethargy, mild nausea and dizziness. Feelings of fear and anxiety often appear, and the emotional state is very unstable.

Since the first process after the release of the egg begins the release of hormones, the main symptoms before menstruation should be looked for in mood, feelings of hunger or satiety, and ability to work.

During the week

7-11 days before the start of her period, the girl gets tired faster than usual and complains of lack of concentration and drowsiness. Many begin to believe that no one understands them, they worry, fuss and quickly get irritated over trifles.

The approach of menstruation is noted by increased sweating, a feeling of heat that quickly turns into chills. The breasts begin to swell and the halos around the nipples become sensitive even to underwear - friction can cause tingling, goosebumps, and aching pain.

How to find out when your period starts:

• By feeling the breasts, pressing on the area of ​​the areola;
• Tracing the color and abundance of discharge;
• Watching for outbursts of irritation and fear.

Once these symptoms begin to appear, you can expect your period in 7-9 days.

For three days

In such a short period of time, the signs of approaching menstruation may become more intense and be replaced by others. This period is considered a crisis - premenstrual syndrome worsens and reaches its climax.

Some women, three days before menstruation, feel strong fear for their lives and safety, even to the point of paranoia - this is the work of hormonal levels, providing the body with complete preparation for pregnancy and protection of the fetus.

A sign of menstruation three days in advance are nightmares - women complain of light sleep and abrupt awakening in a cold sweat. A frequent accompaniment of a crisis period is migraine, especially in the morning.

How to determine that there are 3-5 days left until your period:

• Migraine, frequent increase in blood pressure;
• Increased feeling of fear, anxiety;
• Discharge of gray, white color;
• Body temperature is possible within 37-37.5 ° C.

A girl's periods are accompanied by minor rashes on her face. Most often - on the cheeks and forehead, in the same area the oiliness of the skin increases. All these symptoms occur when you have your period.

Per day

A day before her period arrives, the girl feels a nagging pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. When you stretch, you can feel pain and tingling that takes your breath away. Right before your period, your discharge becomes more abundant and darker in color than before.

In young girls, itching may begin at the site of the skin rash, and sweating also increases significantly. Girls notice heat in their cheeks and ears. Nervousness begins to fade, lethargy, fatigue, and desire for sweets become more apparent.

Signs of PMS or pregnancy, how to distinguish between symptoms of PMS and pregnancy

1 Nagging pain in the abdomen;

2 Enlargement and swelling in the chest, its pain;

3 Drowsiness, weakness, lethargy, lethargy;

4 Rapid mood changes;

5 Nausea and vomiting.

Therefore, with such symptoms, it is very difficult to determine that fertilization has occurred. You must either wait for the delay in your period and do a test on the second day, which will show a positive result - two stripes during pregnancy, or a negative result - one strip, without waiting for the delay, donate blood for a hCG test, which can determine pregnancy already 5-7 days after conception.

It is better to do the test twice for reliability and it is recommended not to do it on the first day of the delay, since the level of hCG hormones may not yet reach the desired level in the urine and the result during pregnancy will show a negative version, not a positive one. It is advisable to find out about pregnancy as early as possible in order to prepare your body for pregnancy, start eating right, get more rest, don’t overwork, quit bad habits if you have them, take vitamins, walk in the fresh air, avoid taking medications that can harm the fetus .

All this will help you bear a healthy baby. And of course, women who want to get pregnant, but who have not yet been able to do so, want to find out about the joyful event much earlier. But in this case, it is better to rely on the hCG analysis or test, since with a strong desire, symptoms of a “false pregnancy” arise, and if the result is negative, the woman begins to worry even more and can become depressed and withdraw into herself.

Based on the above, we can say that symptoms of the onset of upcoming menstrual flow occur in almost every woman; they may differ in the severity of symptoms, but in general they are similar sensations that can sometimes be confused with pregnancy. Therefore, it is very important to monitor your menstrual cycle and monitor all changes in it.

Beginning of menstruation

The first signs of menstruation are marked by nausea and characteristic discharge. The menstruation on the pad is brown in the first two to three hours, then red and bloody. The discharge is accompanied by abdominal pain, some report simultaneous indigestion.

A woman is immediately overcome by weakness and fatigue, even if her period starts in the morning. Appetite disappears, body temperature rises slightly. Many people note discomfort, twitching of the internal hip muscles and oblique abdominal muscles.

Determining days before menstruation

Signs before menstruation can be deceptive: due to general fatigue, lack of sleep or irregular nutrition, girls feel similar symptoms, but menstruation has just ended or does not occur.

To understand approximately what time remains before the onset of menstruation, you can use a pharmacy test. 11-14 days after your last period began, buy an ovulation test at the pharmacy. It is advisable to buy several and start monitoring from the 11th day.

By performing the test according to the instructions, you can determine which days of the cycle ovulation occurs on. From the day on which the ovulation test was positive, it is enough to count two weeks - your period should arrive during this period.

Since preparation for menstruation in a woman’s body depends on many factors, you should not worry if your period is delayed by 3-5 days. Analyze the events in your life during the last cycle. Delays in menstruation are completely justified and safe if at that time there were:

• Serious shocks, stress;
• Fasting or strict diets;
• Lack of sleep;
• A sharp change in climate (for example, a trip to a warm resort in winter and returning);
• The beginning of a new season - the turn of autumn and winter, winter and spring, etc.

Signs of the first menstruation in girls

The first menstruation in girls has a special medical term - menarche. On average, today the cycle begins to establish itself at the age of 13, when the first menstruation “arrives,” however, this period may differ depending on the individual characteristics of the body.

The first signs can be described in two aspects - physiological and psychological:

• during puberty, behavior changes, the girl begins to examine herself, breasts begin to develop, and can show off her changing body to her friends and mother;
• As for physiological factors, the skin on the genitals begins to darken a little, pubic hairs appear, whitish discharge and clots from the vagina (leucorrhoea) may appear;
• immediately before the onset of menstruation, both noticeable and almost imperceptible pain in the lower abdomen, headache, general weakness, loss of appetite, heaviness in the chest, etc. may appear.

The time of onset of menarche depends on many conditions, and this period may vary under the influence of certain factors:

• physical development - if a girl, according to other criteria, is ahead of her peers in her development, then menstruation may begin earlier;
• genetic predisposition - you can roughly navigate by the fact when the mother’s first period began;
• with improper and inadequate nutrition, the ripening period may be delayed;
• serious illnesses suffered at an early age can also affect the onset of menstruation.

How to get rid of PMS

We cannot regulate hormonal processes before menstruation on our own - they are natural and should occur. But it is possible to mitigate the symptoms that change throughout the month.

To calm and relieve irritability, you can take baths with essential oils of fir, Siberian pine or lavender. You need to add 5-6 drops to a bath of water.

Aromatherapy is useful - to fumigate a standard room of 9-15 m2 you will need 15 drops of essential oil of orange, bergamot, ylang-ylang. Sweet scents, such as vanilla, contribute to nausea and are not recommended.

If you cannot overcome the feeling of fear, obsessive thoughts do not allow you to sleep, it is better to limit yourself to unnecessary exits from the house and not to approach dangerous household appliances.

How to relieve pain syndrome

Frequent airing of the room, especially before bed, will be useful. An hour before bedtime, you can drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey or hot chamomile tea.

Try to relieve menstrual pain with a minimum set of medications. Instead of pills, herbal compresses applied to the lower back can help. A compress soaked in a warm decoction of chamomile is applied to the lower abdomen.

During menstruation, you should not take a bath for a long time. You can stay in the water for no more than ten minutes, since during menstruation the genitals are very vulnerable. You can add a decoction of chamomile, coltsfoot, to the bath, after lying down and relaxing for a while.

Menstruation is an integral part of every woman’s life. They indicate that everything is fine with the female body, and their absence may indicate pregnancy. The first signs of menstruation are special sensations that are directly related to the natural restructuring that occurs in women every month.

Approximately 45% of women note that the older they are, the more severe the symptoms. As a rule, signs appear 10 days before the start of menstruation.

Women report fatigue, general malaise, vomiting, depression and aggression.

Some ladies become unbearable during PMS and cause a lot of trouble to their loved ones due to their aggressive and irritable state.

Although the symptoms of the onset of menstruation may be different for all women, there are many common signs.

The first signs of the onset of menstruation in women, what are they:

• feeling depressed and tearful;
• anxiety;
• aggression;
• hopelessness;
• headache;
• malaise;
• a great desire not to see anyone;
• absent-mindedness, it is impossible to concentrate and concentrate;
• excessive sleepiness;
• insomnia;
• flatulence
• the appearance of swelling;
• The breasts become sensitive and are felt.

As a rule, several symptoms occur simultaneously. If the signs before menstruation cause a lot of discomfort, you need to visit a doctor who will prescribe appropriate therapy. It is worth understanding in detail all the signs of the onset of critical days.

“Beastly” appetite before menstruation

Extra pounds are a sore subject for every woman. Before the start of menstruation, you should expect an increased feeling of hunger and a lot. Of course, the same female hormones are to blame. During this period, the body is deficient in serotonin, the hormone of joy.

In order for all processes to return to normal, a lot of carbohydrates are needed, which is why the feeling of hunger appears. To avoid gaining weight, you need qualified help from a nutritionist and endocrinologist. The principle is to eat small, frequent meals. Drink more water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy products.

The appearance of acne before the onset of menstruation

A week before the start of menstruation, many women experience marks on their facial skin. This symptom is considered individual, but the frequency of its manifestation is 95%.

Does vomiting indicate the onset of menstruation?

The cause of vomiting is the increased level of female hormones during this period. Vomiting often worsens when taking birth control medications. This may indicate that the product was chosen incorrectly.

Nausea can also occur due to the design of the uterus. Before menstruation, it increases and puts pressure on the nerve centers, which provoke vomiting.

It can also occur with excessive physical exertion.

Headache

The body begins to prepare for conception, and a decrease in progesterone is noted. If fertilization does not occur, menstruation begins. A large number of women do not notice that they have a headache.

More sensitive ladies complain about such signs. The water-salt balance deserves attention; if it is abnormal, it can cause headaches. Separate attention should be paid to the development of depression.

Frequent bowel movement

This is a common occurrence. Sometimes emptying may be accompanied by pain in the urinary canal. A deviation is considered to be if a woman urinates more than 10 times a day.

Frequent urge to defecate can be caused by hormonal imbalance, formations in the bladder, stones in the urinary tract, neuroses, diabetes, uterine prolapse and fibroids.

But if you always want something “small,” maybe you have . This is a bladder disease.

If the urge appears only a week before your period, this is a signal that menstruation will begin soon.

General signs

It is quite difficult to identify a list of symptoms that appear by day of the cycle and indicate the imminent onset of menstruation, because the body of each woman is very individual. Below is a list of common signs that your period is coming soon.

Weight gain

Approximately 3-5 days before the start of MC, a woman’s body begins to retain water to thin the blood. During this period, body weight can increase by 1.5-2 kg for no reason, and also normalize on its own with the onset of discharge.

Irritability before menstruation

As mentioned above, excessive nervousness is associated with hormonal imbalance. Thus, high levels of estrogen are accompanied by the appearance of symptoms such as irritability, short temper, aggression and excessive pickiness about certain things. Increased production of the hormone progesterone is characterized by drowsiness, depression, and fatigue. When hormonal levels are normalized, these symptoms go away on their own without drug treatment.

Acne occurrence

Under the influence of progesterone during the premenstrual phase, the sebaceous glands of the skin actively produce sebum, which clogs the pores and leads to the appearance of a large number of acne. The favorite places for localization of rashes are the skin of the chin, forehead and nose.

The appearance of blood before menstruation

On the eve of menstruation, the cervix prepares for the release of bloody discharge and, under the influence of hormones, a small amount of mucus with blood can be released, which is brown in color and spotting in nature.

Headache

Many women experience intense headaches on the eve of menstruation, which are pulsating in nature and sometimes resemble a migraine. The reason for this is the same hormonal imbalance, water-salt imbalance and changes in blood pressure.

Frequent urination

Before menstruation, the uterus swells and becomes enlarged, involuntarily putting pressure on the organs of the urinary system. The urinary tract becomes very sensitive and reacts to pressure with a frequent urge to urinate. The same applies to the intestines; increased blood supply to the pelvic organs during menstruation is accompanied by frequent acts of defecation and urination.

All of the above symptoms are collected under one name - premenstrual syndrome. This diagnosis is not a pathology - it is the extreme limit of the normal functioning of the female reproductive system. The exception is the critical form of PMS. Signs of this pathology are severe headaches, accompanied by surges in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and fear of death, and dyspepsia. This form of PMS requires urgent medical treatment, since women after such attacks become panicky about the onset of their period.

PMS forms

Doctors distinguish 4 forms of PMS that require medical supervision:

• Neuropsychic;
• Cephalgic;
• Edema;
• Critical.

Treatment of unpleasant symptoms before menstruation

After contacting a gynecologist, the doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe a set of diagnostic measures. Often, to treat PMS, it is enough to change a woman’s usual lifestyle:

• proper nutrition;
• practicing feasible sports;
• sufficient water intake;
• taking vitamin and mineral complexes;
• psychological support for loved ones.

In particularly advanced situations, medications may be used to eliminate premenstrual syndrome. The homeopathic medicine Remens and Mastodinon have proven themselves well, they normalize the hormonal levels of the female body, eliminate the symptoms of PMS, and also produce a slight calming effect.

To relieve nervous tension, it is advisable to take a course of sedatives of herbal origin 10-12 days before the planned menstruation. Valerian, Novo-pasit, Sedavit. To normalize ovarian function, gynecologists use vitamin E 400 mg, which effectively relieves PMS symptoms by normalizing the endocrine function of the ovaries. To relieve pain, painkillers are used: Ibuprofen, No-shpa, Tamipul, Analgin, Tempalgin, Spazmalgon. The choice of drugs to eliminate symptoms of the premenstrual period should be made by the leading gynecologist. Self-medication in this situation is unacceptable.

What if you have symptoms but no periods?

There are situations when women experience the first signs a week before the start of menstruation, but still don’t have their periods. This situation may indicate pregnancy. But even before the expected menstruation begins, the test is unlikely to clarify anything. The hCG level at this stage of pregnancy is too low. Only a blood test for the level of “pregnancy hormone” can accurately determine pregnancy.

If it is prolonged, you need to do a test, and if it is negative, you need to immediately visit a gynecologist.

The problem and causes can be different: diseases, metabolic disorders, stress, hormone imbalance, etc.

In any case, if there are all the signs that your period is about to start, but it doesn’t, you should be wary. It is not a fact that this is a dangerous disease or pathology, but it is still worth contacting a gynecologist for advice.

Why erroneous symptoms appear:

• Often, pain before menstruation can occur if a woman has been diagnosed.
• Symptoms such as before menstruation may occur with endometriosis, a progressive adhesive disease.
• Pain that a girl mistakenly perceives as signs of menstruation is called acyclic and may not be associated with menstruation.
• Another possible reason, when a week before menstruation all the signs of the oncoming period appear, even spotting may begin, is an ectopic pregnancy. This pregnancy is “wrong” and it is very dangerous for the woman’s life, so you need to visit in time.

What measures to take when there are signs of imminent menstruation, but your period does not begin? Contact a doctor who will prescribe effective treatment. With amenorrhea, all premenstrual symptoms may persist, but menstruation is completely absent. And this condition can last up to six months.

What symptoms before menstruation can be considered signs of health problems?

Normally, before the onset of menstruation, white discharge is observed, which cannot be considered a pathology. If there is heavy spotting before your critical days, this may indicate the presence of a pathology, which is recommended to be shown to a doctor:

• If vaginal discharge is white and flake-like in structure, this indicates the presence of thrush. If treatment is started in a timely manner, the problem quickly goes away;
• If you have recently given birth, as a result of which the cycle has not had time to establish itself, some women experience black spotting. There is nothing wrong with this, don’t be afraid;
• Pink discharge, similar to ichor, indicates possible erosion of the cervix. In addition, they may indicate infectious diseases and endocerceritis;
• Brown spotting before menstruation indicates the presence of a hormone imbalance and the onset of endometriosis, in which case it is recommended to consult a gynecologist for testing;
• The greatest danger lies in yellowish-green discharge with a mucous texture, indicating the presence of purulent cervicitis.

Of course, such phenomena are often random in nature, without causing harm to health. However, in any case, it is recommended to see a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.

Why does your stomach hurt before your period?

Almost every woman before the onset of menstruation feels a lingering pain in the lower abdomen, possibly bloating and intestinal dysfunction. These sensations appear 5-7 days before the onset of menstrual flow.

What reasons can provoke pain in the lower abdomen before menstruation?

Main reasons:

• low level of endorphins in the blood;
• available ;
• stress, depression;
• gynecological anomalies;
• infections of the reproductive organs.

If the pain is severe and unbearable, call an ambulance immediately.

Treatment of unpleasant symptoms

As a rule, symptomatic therapy is used to help eliminate discomfort and discomfort. The gynecologist must conduct a survey and prescribe the necessary laboratory tests that will help establish the cause of the obvious signs.

If the symptoms are related to hormonal levels, hormonal therapy is used, the course lasts approximately three months. Infectious diseases require antibacterial treatment. In order to prevent bleeding before menstruation, curettage is performed.

Can be prescribed to relieve swelling of the extremities.

You can also make your life easier during this period. Start leading a healthy lifestyle, engage in regular physical activity, reduce your salt and flour intake. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

Avoid foods that can cause fluid stagnation in the body. In order to remove excess fluid, the doctor may prescribe diuretics.

In fact, every woman is already accustomed to the signs of menstruation. But if they become very pronounced, you need to urgently visit a doctor to avoid unpleasant consequences that can cause the development of pathology.

Every woman knows what PMS is - premenstrual syndrome. Some experts are sure that this is a disease, others consider the symptoms before menstruation to be a natural physiological phenomenon.

One way or another, they are diverse and unsettle a woman from her usual life.

Below we will look at the main symptoms that most often occur a few days before the onset of menstruation in women.

What is characteristic of adult women?

An adult woman with an already established cycle can recognize her approaching period a week before the onset of “X-day” by the following symptoms:

• engorgement, hardening of the mammary glands. The breasts become fuller, increase in size, and become more sensitive. Some even experience pain during this period when touching the mammary glands;
• up to 35 years of age, almost every woman experiences acne activation a week before menstruation - more rashes appear on the face compared to the usual condition;
• change in taste sensations. Every woman can track this sign by following several cycles in a row to see on which days she craves which food most;
• Many people complain that their stomach hurts 2-3 days before their period. The intensity of the unpleasant sensations can vary, from a slight tugging sensation to severe discomfort with aching pain in the lower back.

Nausea before menstruation

It can be explained by several reasons.

1. A woman takes birth control pills, which causes hormonal imbalance and cycle disruption. In this case, nausea is caused by a large amount of hormones. It may be worth consulting with your doctor, who will suggest using a different method of contraception. These days you need to eat less, not drink alcohol, and walk more.
2. A woman has a special structure of the uterus. Before menstruation, it becomes heavier, thereby irritating the nerve centers.
3. Nausea before menstruation can occur in athletes and women who do physical labor. This is a sign of a cycle disorder.

The symptoms are present, but there is no menstruation

There are situations when women have all the symptoms on time, but still don’t have their periods. This may be due to the following reasons:

• cycle shift, which can be triggered by stress, climate change and other factors. In this case, menstruation will definitely begin, but a little later;
• possible pregnancy. Many women have early signs of this condition, manifested by slight pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, breast swelling and changes in emotional state. So it will be enough to conduct a test;
• diseases of a gynecological nature (inflammation of the vagina, fallopian tubes, ovaries, endometrium of the uterus, cysts in different locations, tumors, fibroids) or the genitourinary system (for example, cystitis or pyelonephritis).

Stomach ache

The body is cleansed of everything useless and harmful. The uterus contracts rhythmically, freeing itself from all this. Hence the pain. If your lower abdomen feels tight these days, this is not a cause for concern. This is considered the norm. You can take a pain reliever. You should consult a doctor only when the pain becomes unbearable. This indicates serious problems and may indicate severe hormonal imbalances, gynecological and infectious diseases. In order to get rid of them and not start the problem, you must not delay going to the doctor.

Acne before your period

As a rule, this phenomenon is characteristic of teenage girls and is explained by hormonal disturbances. True, sometimes it extends to women. There are several explanations for this.

1. Taking hormonal drugs.
2. Digestive diseases, disorders in fat metabolism.
3. Pathologies of the endocrine system.
4. Weakened immunity and nervous system.
5. Using low-quality cosmetics.

In this case, you need to establish and eliminate the cause of acne, take proper care of your skin, and it will disappear.
Some women experience headaches before their periods. This is due to hormones that change the water balance and retain fluid in the body. This leads to swelling of the brain too. Only a specialist can solve the problem by prescribing medications.

Many women before menstruation complain of lower back pain. If they are small, then it's okay. If they are strong, it means that it is possible that there is either inflammation of the genitourinary system or significant hormonal changes.

The breasts swell before menstruation in almost all women: the epithelium in the ducts and lobules of the mammary glands increases - blood rushes to the breasts. This is a natural phenomenon and goes away quickly.

A young body develops differently and may have characteristics, a faster or slower pace. But in any case, by adolescence, girls begin.

It is worth telling what the first signs of menstruation are long before this. Some manifestations may seem frightening to girls, which can negatively affect sexual development in general.

Read in this article

Other signs of pregnancy

An implicit but possible sign can also be irritability, as with PMS, but again, it can be easily confused with a harbinger of menstruation. The following signs, which may occur even before menstrual delay, are very individual, although they can occur to one degree or another in all women:

• Increased urination: Due to the pressure exerted on the bladder by the growing uterus, it empties more often.
• Bowel dysfunction: bowel dysfunction and constipation may occur in early pregnancy.
• Change in the taste of food. Any food, even the most familiar, can change its taste, both for the better and vice versa. So it’s not surprising if you suddenly stop eating the foods you previously loved.
• Headache. Many women complain of severe, persistent headaches in the earliest stages of pregnancy, which usually subside by 5-7 weeks.
• Feeling of discomfort in a sitting position. Indeed, quite often one of the first signs of pregnancy is “fidgeting in the chair,” when it is impossible to choose a comfortable position.
• An aversion to alcohol or simply a rejection of it by the body.
• Increased appetite. The opinion that a pregnant woman should eat “for two” is only partly true. The amount of food consumed should not increase; you need to monitor the replenishment of the supply of vitamins and nutrients necessary for the normal development and bearing of the child.

More accurate predictions can be made by taking a pregnancy test, which is recommended to be used on the first day of a missed period, but it can give a reliable result earlier. If the urine contains a hormone - chorionic gonadotropin, which is produced in absolutely all pregnant women, then the test reaction will be positive. In this case, the test will indicate pregnancy with a red stripe. Again, it makes sense to do the test only 7-10 days after conception. You should not take the result as negative if the strip is not bright, but barely noticeable. It is recommended to take the test in the morning, and avoid drinking alcohol or hot spices a few hours before. If the likelihood of pregnancy needs to be checked even before a missed period, then you should choose sensitive tests. A more accurate prognosis can be obtained using a blood test for hCG. The probability of error in such an analysis is almost zero.

This is what science says about the first signs of pregnancy. Women themselves claim that often the feeling of pregnancy appears almost immediately after sexual intercourse on a subconscious level. Psychologists can neither confirm nor deny this, but they recommend: even if such a premonition appears, you don’t need to zealously convince yourself that it “finally happened,” but you should just relax and try not to think about it at all. After all, if you “wind up” yourself properly, you can find all the signs of pregnancy in yourself, even in its absence. Moreover, in case of failure, disappointment can develop into neurosis and cause depression. Often such “fake pregnancies” lead to cycle disorders and hormonal imbalance. Even if you didn’t manage to get pregnant this time, the best thing is to calm down and be sure that very soon you will become a mother anyway. However, this does not mean that you need to completely rely on the will of fate and ignore doctor’s consultations and treatment, if necessary.

Especially for beremennost.net — Sandra Berezhnaya

When and how does it all begin?

Signs of the first period

The first signs of the appearance of menstruation are detected long before their arrival, usually a year or two. At about 10-13 years of age, a girl’s figure begins to develop according to the female type: the hips widen, the breasts become outlined. First, the nipples on the mammary glands become more prominent. Then the volume of the breast as a whole increases. Hair appears in the armpits and pubic area. Sometimes small amounts of vegetation are found on the legs and near the nipples.

The appearance of a teenage girl often causes her distress. Due to the activation of the sebaceous glands, her skin becomes oilier and may become covered with pimples. The face, chest area and back are especially affected by acne. This is also considered as signs before the first menstruation in girls. The fact is that the period is characterized by rapid bone growth, and the skin cannot keep up with it. Grease is nothing more than a defensive reaction aimed at avoiding damage.

The sweat glands begin to function more intensively. All changes in appearance are caused by increased production of sex hormones. Shortly before this, the adrenal glands begin to function more actively, and after them the ovaries, which produce estrogens and progestins.

It is important to convince the girl that the changes happening to her are normal and even obligatory. This also applies to unpleasant manifestations, which go away more smoothly if you carefully monitor hygiene.

Changes in behavior

The first signs of menstruation in girls aged 11 to 13 years are not limited to external changes. New manifestations of character can cause big problems for herself and her loved ones.

Changes in the reproductive system before menstruation

What is PMS and how does it manifest?

PMS (or premenstrual syndrome) is a complex of negative deviations in a woman’s well-being, which manifest themselves in 50-75% in the period from 2 to 10 days before the onset of menstruation. This condition, unlike the manifestations described above, causes real and significant discomfort, and can develop in several forms.

Let's look at the main signs of PMS:

• The first form of the syndrome
  is neuropsychic. In this case, the woman suffers from increased irritability, aggressiveness, or vice versa – tearfulness and depressed mood, and becomes depressed. Among the physiological manifestations of this type of problem are increased gas formation in the intestines;
• the cephalic form
  is always accompanied by severe headaches, nausea, dizziness and increased irritability to any influence. There may be tingling in the heart area, as well as numbness in the limbs;
• the edematous type
  of syndrome is a combination of acute pain of enlarged mammary glands when touched and even walking and the formation of edema of the face, ankles, and hands. Itching of the skin may appear, sweating may increase;
• the most severe form
  is crisis. It is supplemented by increased blood pressure, heaviness in the chest when breathing, and even a panicky fear of death.

Video about the hidden dangers of PMS

Premenstrual syndrome is far from a common occurrence for the female body. It is important to clearly understand what exactly falls into the category of PMS symptoms and, if present, to properly deal with the problem to alleviate your condition.