Experiencing pain around the kidney area during menstruation is a common concern. While period-related discomfort is widespread, distinguishing between typical menstrual pain and actual kidney pain is important. This article clarifies potential causes for such discomfort, from common physiological responses to underlying medical conditions.
Differentiating Period Pain from Kidney Pain
Typical menstrual pain, often described as cramping, usually originates in the lower abdomen and can radiate to the lower back or thighs. This pain often feels like a dull ache or throbbing sensation, and its intensity can vary throughout the menstrual cycle.
In contrast, true kidney pain is usually located higher on the back, specifically below the rib cage on one or both sides of the spine. It can manifest as a constant ache, or a sharp, throbbing discomfort. Kidney pain may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chills, or changes in urination, which are not typically associated with menstrual cramps alone.
Common Causes of Back Pain During Periods
What feels like kidney pain during a period is frequently referred pain originating from uterine contractions. The uterus contracts to shed its lining, a process driven by hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. These contractions can cause pain that radiates from the lower abdomen to the lower back, explaining why many people experience back pain during menstruation.
Individuals producing higher levels of prostaglandins may experience more intense contractions and a greater degree of radiating back pain. This type of discomfort is generally considered a normal physiological response to the menstrual cycle. Muscle strain or fatigue from maintaining certain postures can also contribute to general back pain during this time.
Medical Conditions Mimicking or Causing Kidney Pain During Period
Several medical conditions can cause pain that either mimics kidney pain or is actual kidney pain, sometimes exacerbated by menstruation. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), if left untreated, can ascend and become kidney infections, known as pyelonephritis. Symptoms include fever, chills, lower back or side pain, and changes in urination such as burning or frequent urges.
Kidney stones are another source of severe, often spasmodic pain that can radiate from the back to the lower abdomen and groin. This pain can be intense and sudden, sometimes mistaken for menstrual cramps, but it is typically more severe and persistent than period pain. Blood in the urine, nausea, and vomiting may also accompany kidney stone pain.
Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can also cause kidney-like pain. When endometrial tissue grows on or near the kidneys or ureters, it can lead to cyclical lower back pain, especially during menstruation. This form of endometriosis may also cause blood in the urine or difficulty urinating.
Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus, can also contribute to back or flank pain. Large fibroids can exert pressure on surrounding organs, including the ureters, potentially causing discomfort or even affecting kidney function in rare cases by obstructing urine flow. This pressure can lead to symptoms like frequent urination or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Ovarian cysts, fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries, can also cause pain that radiates to the back. While many cysts are asymptomatic, larger cysts or those that rupture can cause dull, aching, or sudden severe pain in the lower abdomen and back. Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can sometimes inflame ovarian cysts, intensifying pain around this time.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Seek medical attention if back pain during your period is severe, worsening, or not relieved by typical pain medication. Other concerning symptoms include pain accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. Any changes in urination, such as increased frequency, burning sensation, cloudy urine, or blood in the urine, also warrant evaluation. Pain that is sharp, sudden, or consistently localized to one side of the upper back, rather than the lower abdomen, warrants assessment. If the pain persists after your period ends or if it is a new or unusual type of discomfort, consult a doctor.