Pain in the ovaries is often a reason to consult a gynecologist. The causes of their occurrence are both physiological and pathological processes. Painful sensations can be of a different nature and are a symptom of many diseases of the reproductive system.
The pain can be constant or occur under certain conditions, acute or aching. It can appear regardless of age or pregnancy, and can be caused by inflammation or hormonal changes. Sometimes such pain is a consequence of damage to other organs, such as the bladder or intestines. Also in gynecological practice, there are often cases of pain in the ovaries of a psychogenic nature: during depressive or hysterical conditions.
Such a variety of reasons that can cause pain in the ovaries indicates the need for mandatory consultation with a specialist and the inadmissibility of self-medication. Only properly selected therapy can guarantee a woman’s continued well-being and reproductive health.
Many women report pain in the ovaries during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. Often such pains do not pose a danger; in gynecology they are called ovulatory syndrome. They do not require a mandatory visit to a doctor, however, if concerns arise, it is better to consult a specialist and undergo a gynecological examination.
In the first days of menstruation, pain of varying intensity is observed. In fact, the sensations described turn out to be pain in the uterus, and not in the ovaries. They are associated with the rejection of the inner lining of the uterus and its periodic contraction. The strength of these contractions and the level of the pain threshold determine the presence or absence of unpleasant sensations.
Ovulation is a sign of normal functioning of the female body. It represents a minimal tear of the ovary with subsequent release of the egg into the abdominal cavity. The process is accompanied by slight bleeding. The peritoneum, extremely rich in nerve endings, becomes irritated, resulting in pain. Pain during ovulation has characteristic symptoms:
After ovulation before menstruation
Pain occurs after the 16th day of the cycle and may be accompanied by spotting. In place of the egg after ovulation, a corpus luteum is formed, the main function of which is to produce the hormone progesterone. With a low intake of progesterone, for example, if the corpus luteum is not sufficiently formed, a slight detachment of the uterine mucosa occurs, accompanied by pain.
At the beginning of the cycle after discharge
The appearance of pain after discharge is not typical for ovulatory syndrome and is due to other reasons. The most likely ones include cysts or stress.
Normally, a woman does not experience discomfort in the ovaries during sex. Their occurrence, as a rule, is a consequence of diseases of the genital organs. Rare causes of such pain include physiological characteristics of the body.
Factors that provoke pain:
Inflammation of the ovaries and appendages
The inflammatory process is often the cause of pain. It can be acute or chronic, but common manifestations are pain, leucorrhoea and dysfunction (reproduction and menstruation). In acute cases, there is also an increase in body temperature.
Acute inflammation of the ovaries or oophoritis is characterized by constant intense pain in the lower abdomen, spreading to the lower back and sacrum, copious discharge, sharp pain during sex, and increased body temperature. Inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes is called adnexitis. Its manifestations are similar to oophoritis, the onset of the disease is acute.
If left untreated, these diseases become chronic. Symptoms become less pronounced: dull aching pain in the vagina, groin, scanty discharge, decreased libido, cycle disruption. However, complications can include adhesions and infertility.
It is a cavity in which fluid accumulates. Sometimes women find out about the presence of a cyst by accident, because for a long time the cyst does not manifest itself or manifests itself only slightly: discomfort during sexual intercourse, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, prolongation of the cycle.
The danger is a sudden rupture of the cyst, as well as torsion of its legs. In this case, sharp, sudden pain appears with possible short-term loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting.
A disease that requires long-term treatment. This is the growth of tissue similar to the endometrium in the tubes, abdominal cavity, and ovaries. The disease manifests itself when the growths become extensive.
It is characterized by profuse painful menstruation, aching pain in the lower abdomen, spreading to the lower back and rectum. The cycle is disrupted, and urination becomes painful. If left untreated, endometriosis leads to the formation of adhesions and infertility.
Ovarian hyperstimulation is often a side effect of hormonal therapy for infertility. The ovaries become greatly enlarged and a large number of follicular cysts form in them. Abdominal pain is similar in type to bloating. There is also an increase in body weight, the appearance of shortness of breath, and a decrease in urination.
Apoplexy or rupture of the ovary is accompanied by extensive bleeding into the abdominal cavity and, as a result, severe pain. Pain may spread to the lower back, rectum and lower extremities. It is usually quite intense and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting or fainting.
Benign and malignant tumors
Ovarian neoplasms do not manifest themselves in any way in the initial stages. As the tumor grows, the woman complains of dull aching pain in the lower abdomen, often occurring only on one side, not associated with the menstrual cycle. The tumor begins to compress the surrounding organs, leading to disruption of their functions (bladder, rectum, uterus). The abdomen increases in size.
A malignant tumor, in addition to the listed symptoms, leads to weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and deterioration in health. Ovarian cancer is always accompanied by cycle disorders.
Pain in the ovaries, if it has not previously bothered the woman, rarely occurs in pregnant women. This is due to the decline of ovarian function during gestation. However, pregnant women experience aching pain in the lower abdomen, but they are caused by a change in the position of the internal organs and a heavy load on the ligamentous apparatus of the uterus and appendages.
Pain in the early stages
Pain in one of the ovaries in the first trimester of pregnancy may indicate the presence of a corpus luteum cyst. This condition is not dangerous, but can cause discomfort if the cyst becomes very large. As the placenta develops, the corpus luteum disappears and the pain stops on its own. This happens at approximately 12-14 weeks.
The beginning of an abortion is accompanied by intense blood loss and severe pain in the sacrum and lower abdomen at the same time. The situation is deteriorating rapidly, so if you experience similar symptoms while pregnant, call an ambulance immediately.
Be careful and serious in matters relating to your own health. Don't be afraid to see a doctor if there is a reason for it. Correctly selected treatment will return comfort to your life and avoid complications.
And all my cysts disappeared somewhere in an unknown direction! I was also worried about the harm of ultrasound for the baby, but I found an interesting site and all my fears about this disappeared. I hope my information will help you. I just came back from an ultrasound. They said that I was ovulating this month and that my corpus luteum cyst was hurting. The woman feels a general malaise and fatigue appears. Various menstrual cycle disorders are very typical.
Menstruation begins to come irregularly as a result of the fact that the inflammatory process contributes to a decrease in the production of female sex hormones. Pain due to inflammation of the ovaries is almost always accompanied by a disturbance in the emotional background of a woman: Decreased sexual desire as a result of decreased production of female sex hormones. Pain syndrome is provoked by colds and other infections, hypothermia, stress, and decreased immunity. The cause of acute pain in the ovaries caused by the inflammatory process is determined during an examination by a gynecologist and an ultrasound scan.
In acute cases, conservative treatment usually lasts 5-7 days. With chronic inflammation, it lasts longer. Read more about adnexitis Pain with pain in the ovary radiates to the leg of the ovary. An ovarian cyst is a cavity that is filled with fluid and increases the volume of the gland. It’s worth mentioning right away that cysts often occur completely without symptoms and do not cause pain in the ovaries. If pain occurs, it is accompanied by the following symptoms: Torsion of the cyst stalk. Many types of cysts are located on the surface of the ovary and are attached to it with the help of a stalk. Even if the cyst itself is not accompanied by pain in the ovary or radiates to the leg with other symptoms, when its leg is twisted and the blood circulation is impaired, very striking manifestations occur in it: Sometimes strong short-term painful sensations indicate rupture of the follicular cyst.
This condition is not dangerous. However, if any discomfort occurs, it is better to visit a gynecologist. Polycystic Sometimes polycystic ovaries are confused with ordinary pain in the ovary that radiates to the leg. In fact, these are two different diseases, each of which is accompanied by its own symptoms. Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine pathology that affects many endocrine glands. As a result of endocrine disorders, many small cysts form in the ovarian tissue and the characteristic saddle-shaped uterus appears during pregnancy. Chronic nagging, aching pain in the ovaries, lower abdomen and lumbar region.
The exact origin of the pain syndrome has not yet been precisely established. It is believed that the enlarged ovaries put pressure on neighboring organs.
Pain in the ovaries with polycystic disease is combined with rare irregular menstruation. Sometimes periods can be excessively heavy and prolonged, or absent.
Some women experience symptoms characteristic of premenstrual syndrome. There are sudden mood swings, swelling in the legs, engorgement of the mammary glands, and pain in the lower abdomen. Endocrine disorders lead to the development of infertility. Regular unprotected sexual intercourse fails to conceive. General signs of dysfunction of the endocrine glands: During the examination, the doctor may detect enlarged ovaries.
Pain in the ovary radiates to the lower back, to the leg (if the right ovary is affected - to the right, if the left ovary is affected - to the left). The woman's general condition worsens. Read morePain in the ovary radiates to the lower back, to the leg (if the right ovary is affected - to the right, if the left ovary is affected - to the left). The woman's general condition worsens. Nausea and vomiting are noted. Constipation occurs. A large amount of gas accumulates in the intestines, which leads to bloating. The pain can be so severe that it leads to shock: the woman turns pale, loses consciousness, and her blood pressure drops sharply. Torsion of the pedicle of a cyst or ovarian tumor does not always manifest itself so clearly. Hide.
The main diagnostic method used to identify the causes of pain in polycystic ovary syndrome is ultrasound. If the diagnosis is confirmed, conservative drug treatment is prescribed, and if it is ineffective, surgical intervention is prescribed. More about polycystic ovary syndrome Aching pain in the ovaries and perineum: At first, while the endometriotic growths are not very large, the pain in the ovary radiates to the leg and does not indicate any pathological symptoms.
Then she begins to be bothered by dull aching pains in the ovaries and lower abdomen, which radiate to the perineum and rectum. They intensify during menstruation, but also occur between periods. Most patients with endometriosis experience problems with menstruation and urination. Over time, endometrioid heterotopias grow and begin to bleed even more, and an adhesive process forms in the pelvic cavity. Benign tumors Modern medicine knows a large number of varieties of benign ovarian tumors. They all have similar symptoms.
The main sign that initially makes it possible to suspect pathology is dull aching pain in the ovary on the right or left, less commonly, in both.
However, pain most often indicates that the tumor is quite large. In the initial stages, the pathology does not manifest itself in any way.
Pain in the right ovary does not appear just like that, of course, it can be associated with a mild and temporary illness that will go away on its own over time, in some cases it is a sign of a serious illness and the pain cannot be tolerated. You can, of course, take painkillers such as Ketonov, Nosh-pa, Analgin. But remember, pills do not cure, they only help to get rid of pain for a while. And in order to completely get rid of it, you need to know the cause of its occurrence.
The female reproductive system is very sensitive, it is influenced by various factors - viral diseases, hypothermia, fungal diseases, etc. Because of them, various diseases can develop.
Pain in the right ovary is a serious problem that leads to serious consequences, one of them is infertility. If pain occurs in the right ovary, you need to pay attention to the person’s lifestyle and age. Pain in the right ovary can occur in girls, women, and teenage girls who have not yet reached puberty. Most often, girls become hypothermic and inflammation occurs in the ovary.
What causes pain in the right ovary?
1. Oophoritis provokes severe pain in the right ovary; this is inflammation that occurs due to infection, stress, colds, exercise, and decreased immunity.
2. Adnexitis is an inflammation of the right ovary, which occurs due to candidiasis, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis. The pain occurs not only in the first lower part of the abdomen, but radiates to the lower back. If left untreated, this disease will lead to infertility. You should immediately contact a specialist who will thoroughly examine you, check the tests and prescribe timely treatment.
3. Pain in the right ovary occurs due to polycystic ovary syndrome, this can only be shown by computer diagnostics, the ovaries are filled with balls (cysts). This disease is a very rare disease, but it leads to infertility.
4. Pain may occur due to a malignant tumor in the ovary, if it is small in size there is almost no pain. If it is very large, there is constant pain in the right ovary, which pinches some internal organs and nerve endings. How to determine why the right ovary hurts? With the help of a medical examination - tests and ultrasound, you can find out an accurate diagnosis.
The main symptoms of pain in the right ovary include the nature of menstruation. Each woman goes through this process differently - some lead an active lifestyle; Some experience a cramping pain in the lower abdomen. Some take painkillers, while others suffer pain in the right ovary. How does menstruation affect the right ovary? In the ovary after menstruation, the corpus luteum begins to form, which consists of several cells, and it is with their help that progesterone is formed.
3 weeks before menstruation, pain occurs in the right ovary. When an egg is released from the ovary, a hole is created, and blood from it begins to flow into the abdominal area. In this case, pain may also occur in the left ovary. This is a normal phenomenon, but if the temperature persists for more than a day, there may be a rupture and peritonitis (blood poisoning) may begin.
If pain in the right ovary during menstruation occurs due to a cyst. Also often, pain in the right ovary can occur during and after sexual intercourse due to the following reasons: cysts, cervicitis, inflammation of the genital organs, vaginal dryness, vaginismus.
The pain in the right ovary can be of a pulling nature, the ovary descends very strongly, the pain is not strong or sharp. Most likely, this is a cyst; such symptoms can also be caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
If the pain in the right ovary is aching, this may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or painful ovulation. Also, this may not be due to pain in the ovary - pain in the genitourinary system, kidneys.
The pain in the right ovary can be very sharp. Due to a cyst, necrosis, bursting of the right ovary, ovarian hyperstimulation.
So, if you have severe pain in the right ovary, you should definitely consult a gynecologist - undergo an examination, tests, ultrasound, computed tomography, in some cases it is necessary to carry out urological diagnostics, biopsy, laparoscopy. The main thing is to do everything on time.
Painful sensations in the ovarian area are one of the most common gynecological problems faced by mature women of all ages. Trying to solve it with several tablets of an antispasmodic pain reliever, such as nosh-pa or analgin, is useless. Pain is, first of all, a signal through which the body tries to report some kind of problem. It can be suppressed for a while with antispasmodics, but sooner or later the attack will recur with renewed vigor. Therefore, the first thing you need to do when your right ovary hurts is to make an appointment with your treating gynecologist, and then find your monthly calendar and calculate the day of your cycle.
Ovulatory syndrome is the most harmless cause of painful discomfort, directly related to the development of the egg. So, if pain in the right ovary bothers you on the 14-15th day of the cycle, then this may be caused by the release of the egg into the fallopian tube. As a rule, the process is accompanied by microrupture of the outer membranes of the ovary, which can cause minor hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity. Most often, such pain is dull or aching in nature and occurs periodically on the right or left side. Another possible symptom is slight spotting. If this is indeed the reason, then after a few hours the discomfort should go away.
But be careful! If the pain does not subside after 12 hours, and the body temperature begins to gradually rise, you need to surrender to the hands of doctors as soon as possible. Prolonged acute pain may indicate a severe rupture of the ovary and, as a result, heavy bleeding into the peritoneum. You cannot hesitate, since the threat of developing peritonitis - severe inflammation of the abdominal cavity - is too great. The situation can only be saved through surgery, immediately restoring the integrity of the ovary.
Pain in the area of the right ovary in women can occur later – on days 16-20 of the cycle. After the egg is released from the follicle, the so-called corpus luteum appears in its place. Its task is to produce progesterone, which blocks the detachment of the upper mucous ball of the uterus. However, there are reasons why the corpus luteum is not fully formed, which entails a decrease in the level of progesterone in the blood. The body perceives this as a false signal and the mucous layer of the uterus begins to peel off little by little. There is a false start to monthly bleeding, which women will notice in the form of scanty brown discharge and nagging pain.
Pain in the right ovary during menstruation does not bother healthy women. All processes that could be accompanied by painful sensations have already ended by this moment - the egg has matured, the follicle has burst, and the corpus luteum has emerged. Therefore, there are only two possible causes of pain during this period:
As for the processes occurring in the uterus at this time, they are really painful for some women. By contracting, the uterus gets rid of excess layers of tissue and the sensations can be so strong that the pain will radiate to the lower back and ovaries. But if usually your periods are painless, and now you suddenly experience severe pain, then you can’t attribute everything to natural anatomical processes. Nagging pain may indicate the presence of cystic formations, and therefore it is better not to postpone a visit to the gynecologist until better times.
The same applies to pain that occurs immediately after menstruation. It cannot have anything to do with ovulatory syndrome and clearly indicates the presence of a gynecological disease.
If the pain has nothing to do with the monthly cycle, the next possible cause is inflammation. 9 out of 10 young women at an appointment with a gynecologist voice the same complaint - aching pain in the ovaries and lower back. Infections, colds, excessive physical activity, stress, as well as a number of pathogenic microorganisms - chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, candida, etc. can provoke an inflammatory process in the ovary. If we are talking only about the ovaries, then this diagnosis sounds like oophoritis, but if If the fallopian tube is also affected by inflammation, then we are dealing with adnexitis (also known as salpingoophoritis). These complex medical terms have the following symptoms:
In addition, there are also non-obvious symptoms. Inflammation of the ovaries is almost always accompanied by a disturbance in the emotional background (the reason is still the same - lack of hormones), against which hot temper, irritability and even depression easily manifest themselves.
To make a diagnosis and determine why the right ovary hurts, a gynecological examination alone is often not enough for a doctor, since inflammatory diseases have similar symptoms. You cannot do without taking tests and undergoing an ultrasound procedure. But if the inflammation is not prolonged and is in an acute stage, then, with proper treatment, in a week the woman will be healthy.
A cyst is a cavity in the ovary filled with fluid. Due to it, the size of the gland naturally increases, so this formation is easy to notice on an ultrasound. In the vast majority of cases, the cyst does not manifest itself for a long time until it grows to an impressive size. Then the pain in the right ovary manifests itself as follows:
The cyst causes irregularities in the menstrual cycle, and the period between bleeding increases significantly. Large formations can be noticeable even visually - in thin women, the stomach suddenly increases greatly.
Another option for placing a cyst is on the ovary. In this case, the bubble with liquid is attached to the surface of the gland using a stem. The cyst itself may not make itself felt for a long time, but if this leg becomes twisted and the blood flow is disrupted, then the symptoms can be very vivid:
The main danger that a cyst poses (no matter where it is localized - in or on the ovary) is the likelihood of its rupture. Therefore, if the right ovary hurts badly, calling an ambulance is the only sure way to act in such a situation. Medical practice knows of cases where delay was fraught with death.
If the right ovary hurts, then another likely cause is endocrine pathology. It is not difficult to notice polycystic disease on the monitor of an ultrasound machine. The ovary looks like a ball filled with many small balls. Each such ball is a cyst; its diameter, as a rule, does not exceed 8-10 mm. The number of cysts in one ovary may vary, but on average there are at least 10.
So, if pain in the right ovary occurs due to polycystic disease, then sooner or later side symptoms will appear.
Pain in the right ovary becomes chronic. Sometimes it may ache, sometimes it may sting, but it will no longer be possible to get rid of the painful discomfort without the help of a doctor. The exact causes of pain with this diagnosis have not yet been established. Most likely, this happens due to the strong pressure of the enlarged gland on the surrounding tissue.
What to do if the right ovary aches for a long time? See a doctor and undergo an ultrasound examination. Getting polycystic disease and ignoring its symptoms is very dangerous. Due to an irresponsible attitude towards your health, you can lose not only your external attractiveness, but also your ability to have children. The risk of developing infertility due to endocrine disorders is very high. The sooner the problem is identified, the higher the likelihood of successful drug treatment. Advanced polycystic disease will have to be dealt with on the surgical table.
We must not forget that the ovary on the right can hurt due to a tumor. At the initial stages of its development, it does not reveal itself in any way. Most often, women become aware of the problem only when the formation grows to a large size and begins to put pressure on neighboring internal organs - the rectum, bladder, uterus. Blood circulation in the abdominal cavity and pelvic area is disrupted, and severe spasms occur.
Side symptoms that are observed in the presence of a benign tumor:
The female body also does not react in any way to the appearance of a malignant tumor for a long time. Then a sensation appears as if the right ovary is being pulled, but since the painful discomfort does not last long, it is rarely paid attention to. Then the pain becomes more frequent, the stomach begins to grow, and the same symptoms appear as in the presence of a benign formation. A malignant tumor can be recognized by general health: weakness, increased fatigue, and sudden weight loss. To diagnose ovarian cancer, a whole range of measures is carried out: ultrasound, puncture, blood test for the presence of tumor markers.
It occurs if, during menstruation, small fragments of the uterine mucosa enter the abdominal cavity through the fallopian tube. There they grow and periodically bleed. At first, the endometriotic areas do not make themselves felt, but over time the lower abdomen and ovaries begin to ache, then the pain intensifies and radiates to the rectum and perineum. If endometriosis starts, adhesions form in the pelvic area.
Treatment of infertility with hormonal drugs has a downside to the coin. If you make a mistake in the dosage of the hormone, excessive stimulation of the ovaries will lead to irreversible changes in the gland and the occurrence of constant aching pain. Heaviness and bloating in the abdomen, weight gain - all these are side symptoms of hyperstimulation. In its advanced form, it causes a sharp decrease in blood pressure and serious metabolic disruptions.
The right ovary is much more susceptible to rupture than the left. A sharp stabbing pain can cause painful shock. Weakness, pallor, decreased blood pressure and loss of consciousness - all this indicates that the ovary has ruptured and heavy bleeding has begun into the abdominal cavity.
The place of residence of the fertilized egg is the uterus. But it happens that the zygote attaches to the fallopian tube and then the consequences can be the most severe. Periodic increasing pain in the ovaries is similar to contractions, and bleeding appears. Then the pressure drops, you feel dizzy, your pulse quickens, and due to blood loss into the abdominal cavity, you feel strong pressure on the anus. If you do not catch it in time and do not undergo urgent surgical intervention, an ectopic pregnancy can cost a woman her life.
The insidiousness of the situation is that most ovarian diseases have similar symptoms. It is impossible to determine the cause of pain on your own, even if you have a medical education behind you. An accurate clinical picture can only be drawn up with the help of tests and modern medical equipment, so self-medication is not only useless, but also dangerous.
With lower back pain, the effect of this syndrome spreading throughout the body often occurs when it begins to radiate to the right or left leg. The nature of the pain syndrome is pulling or shooting, but it is not limited to this alone, since accompanying symptoms may include: numbness, cramping, tingling, and a constant feeling of cold in the legs. In such cases, the doctor usually diagnoses osteochondrosis or one of the other spinal pathologies. But often the cause of the same sensations is diseases of the internal organs. Therefore, before doing anything, it is important to accurately determine the diagnosis.
Every adult on the planet has experienced back pain at least once in their life. Sometimes the pain goes away on its own after proper rest, in other cases the pain syndrome becomes a constant companion and becomes chronic. Back pain can be caused by diseases of the spine or other internal organs and systems. At risk are people engaged in hard work or sedentary work, smokers, and elderly citizens. See also: back pain on the right above the lower back causes.
In addition to injuries and damage, back pain is caused by:
Provoking factors include not only bad habits, but also poor nutrition, as well as excess weight. In women, nagging discomfort in the lower back may appear soon after conception, and then occur again in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
In diseases of the cardiovascular system, blockage of blood vessels occurs due to the accumulation of fatty deposits on the inner walls. The supply of oxygen to organs and tissues deteriorates. Blood vessel disease most often does not make itself felt and is asymptomatic. Heart disease is indicated by the appearance of discomfort in the sternum, pain in the arm, jaw, left shoulder, elbows or back. Signs of a stroke include dizziness, confusion, sudden pain in the leg or arm, and numbness in the facial muscles.
As a result of a rupture of the intervertebral disc, it becomes displaced and a hernia grows, which puts pressure on the nerve root, causing swelling and pain. Discomfort occurs during physical activity, turning the body, or uncomfortable body position. Due to pain, patients are sometimes unable to straighten their leg. The formation of hernias occurs due to a decrease in the elasticity of the discs, which is lost with age or due to insufficient tissue nutrition. The supply of oxygen to the spine decreases when smoking and lifting weights. At risk are people with excess body weight, as well as workers engaged in heavy labor or sedentary work.
Scoliosis most often appears in younger schoolchildren due to incorrect back position while sitting at a desk. Scoliosis can be congenital or acquired. Post-traumatic scoliosis occurs due to various injuries. Pain in the waist area is characteristic of the lumbar type of the disease - curvature in the lumbar region.
The pain syndrome occurs due to the load on the back. Spinal curvature can be easily corrected at an early age with the help of therapeutic exercises and corset therapy.
As a result of upright walking, a person early (usually after 35 years of age) develops problems with the cartilage of the spine, which loses its elasticity and strength. Overload of the intervertebral joints occurs when the patient is overweight; scoliosis, vertebral injuries, lack of warm-up, and constant vibration affect the cartilage. With osteochondrosis of the lumbar region, pain is localized in the sacral area, radiates to the pelvic area, and aches in the legs occur. You may also experience loss of sensation in your limbs (numbness). Disc herniations and radiculitis are complications of osteochondrosis.
Urinary tract infections can also cause lower back pain. This is explained by the proximity of the kidneys to the lumbar spine. Pain in the belt with kidney diseases can be girdling, aching, stabbing, pulling, paroxysmal, and not going away. In urological diseases, there is no relationship between physical stress and the occurrence of painful sensations characteristic of osteochondrosis. Osteochondrosis is also not characterized by an increase in temperature.
Infectious diseases are less likely to cause lower back pain. Pain syndrome occurs if the spinal disc is affected. With osteomyelitis (bone infection), the sick person feels a mild pain syndrome. The nature of the pain is vague. Aching attacks from the lower back can be caused by suppuration - an epidural abscess. With an epidural abscess, the patient experiences fever, joint pain, and loss of strength. The abscess is treated surgically. The surgeon drains the pus and applies antibiotics.
A less dangerous disease is viral vertebral meningitis, which is treated with bed rest and plenty of fluids. The bacterial form of the disease is determined by the presence of protein bodies in tests. The patient feels numbness in the upper and lower extremities, dull pain, and fever. Bacterial spinal meningitis is treated under constant medical supervision with antibiotics.
Professional athletes are most often susceptible to muscle strains. Sprains in the lumbar ligaments occur due to insufficient warm-up before a sporting event. Strong tension and rupture of the fibers occurs. The greatest muscle fatigue is felt at the end of the training week. When the back muscles are stretched, there is no irradiation to the lower extremities.
Problems in the pancreas result in back pain. One of the causes of aching pain in the back and shoulder blade is pancreatitis. Aching between the shoulder blades radiates to the lower back. After eating, the girdle pain intensifies, the patient feels weak and tired.
In diseases of the gallbladder, pain occurs between the shoulder blades, and the pain is clearly perceptible; there is no radiating pain. Unpleasant sensations are most often observed under the right shoulder blade. The pain does not radiate to the back; the patient can clearly identify the specific area of the back where the most intense pain is felt. Additional symptoms include bitterness and dry mouth, metallic taste, bloating after eating or shock or stress.
Pain radiating to the back can occur with diseases of other organs of the digestive system: stomach, intestines and duodenum. The causes of back pain due to diseases of the internal organs are that these latter are attached to the spine and connected to each other. That is why pain in one organ can be caused by pathological processes in the neighboring one.
With diseases of the reproductive system, patients may experience pain radiating to the back. The proximity of the reproductive organs to the lower back creates all the conditions for pain radiating to the back. In women, inflammation of the ovaries and appendages causes aching pain in the lower abdomen. There are unpleasant pulling sensations in the lumbar region of the back - on the right or left. Additional causes of pain include menstruation, menopause, and pressure on the spine due to pregnancy. After termination of pregnancy, pain radiating to the lower back is caused by contractions of the uterus.
Pain radiating to the lower back in men is observed with prostatitis. When the disease occurs, a man also experiences pain or discomfort in the perineum and lower abdomen. There is a general feeling of malaise, and urination is impaired. Inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) is characterized by pain below the lower back, pain in the abdominal region and on the sides.
Itchy or aching pain in the back appears when you overuse physical activity or suddenly lift heavy objects. When lifting loads, muscle overstrain occurs, especially for people with weakened ligaments. Excessive tension causes injury to areas of the back. To avoid a breakdown, when lifting loads, you need to evenly use the muscles of your back, arms or legs.
Back pain can occur due to age-related changes in the structure of organs. Loss of elasticity of the facet joints and intervertebral discs leads to uneven distribution of pressure on the spinal column. Pain and limited mobility of the vertebrae appear. Atrophied back muscles support the spine worse; in addition, wear and tear of the spinal discs occurs. All these factors influence the occurrence of pain in the trunk and limbs.
This syndrome manifests itself when the bundle of spinal nerves - the cauda equina - is damaged. This bundle of nerves extends from the terminal part of the spinal cord, so when it is damaged, patients experience disturbances in the functioning of those parts that are located below the lower back. The syndrome causes severe pain in one or both legs, tingling sensations in the groin area and on the inner thighs with possible numbness up to loss of sensitivity.
From the excretory system, problems with urination are observed. Due to a decrease in sphincter tone, bowel dysfunction occurs. In addition to incontinence, in patients with cauda equina syndrome the knee reflex disappears, impotence appears, and lower extremity failure occurs.
Psychogenic pain occurs in anxious patients prone to depression, hypochondria, and neuroses. Emotionally unstable individuals may complain of pain in the absence of any concomitant diseases. In this case, mental factors are mistaken by the patient for somatic illnesses.
When the disease occurs, the patient feels a nagging pain in a specific area of the back. Sometimes the pain can be sharp, sharp, shooting (lumbago). The pain is localized in the right or left part of the back, and can radiate to the limbs, neck, shoulder, and buttocks.
After collecting anamnesis, the doctor prescribes an examination of the internal organs to determine the cause of the pain; urine and blood tests will be required. In addition, ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, CT, and myelography may be prescribed. The causes of lower back pain can lie both in diseases of the spinal column and in diseases of other organs and systems.
Lower back pain radiating to one leg or both limbs at once is called lumboischialgia. The pain spreads to the thigh, moves to the buttock, spreads down the back of the leg, and the pain usually does not affect the toes. The nature of the pain syndrome with lumboischialgia can be different. Usually the patient feels increasing pain, burning and aching in the lower back.
With lumboischialgia, the sciatic nerve is affected, so in addition to lower back pain, numbness of the leg occurs. In addition, muscle pain is felt, and heat or cold sets in.
The reasons that cause lumboischialgia can be different. Depending on the factors that caused the pain syndrome, the following forms of the syndrome are distinguished:
Nerve irritation is caused by inflammation or compression by muscles or bones. The irritated nerve sends pain signals to the leg. The limb may turn pale, feel a burning sensation, or feel chills. When you try to step on your foot, a sharp pain occurs. The patient should avoid sudden movements; the patient feels relief when tilting the body forward.
Vertebrogenic lumboischialgia is directly related to diseases of the spine. In addition to osteochondrosis and its complications, these diseases include:
With degenerative changes, pain can be a reflex. With a reflex nature, the pain rarely falls below the kneecap, is usually aching in nature, and very often occurs on both sides. The pain can also be radicular, with such a lesion the piercing pain radiates to the big toe or little finger, shoots to the heel.
In case of acute lumbar ischialgia, the patient is advised to use non-steroidal drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, and sedatives. During attacks, you should adhere to a rest regime. To strengthen the muscle corset, they resort to physiotherapy, acupuncture, therapeutic exercises, wearing corsets and support belts. Manual therapy is not used if the patient has an exacerbation of intervertebral hernia.
Nonvertebrogenic lumboischialgia is not associated with diseases of the spine (infectious lesions, injuries, spondylolisthesis, age-related degenerative changes), but is caused by problems with other organs and systems. Most often, the cause is urological and gynecological diseases, infections of the urinary system, and gastrointestinal problems. Less commonly, pain is caused by autoimmune diseases and metabolic disorders.
Radiating pain in the left leg is most often caused by a pinched sciatic nerve (sciatica). With sciatica, the patient feels pain when raising the legs in a horizontal (lying) position. The pain is localized on the back of the leg or just in the thigh area. Knee reflexes in patients are reduced or absent. With a long course of the disease, patients experience atrophy of the lower leg muscles.
Femoral nerve damage is characterized by a feeling of tightness in the front of the thigh. The pain intensifies when pressed. When the patient lies on his stomach with flexion of the joint, the symptoms intensify.
The dull nature of the pain usually indicates venous insufficiency and the subsequent development of varicose veins.
Throbbing pain is observed with thrombophlebitis. This vascular disease is accompanied by a burning sensation in the calves. The pain syndrome is usually pronounced and constant.
The left leg can also hurt due to atherosclerosis of the arteries. The nature of the pain syndrome in atherosclerosis is compressive. The patient feels cold in the feet regardless of the ambient temperature. Symptoms worsen when walking.
The patient experiences twisting sensations with joint diseases. Torsion of the leg due to degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue of the knee. With gout, the pain does not go away; the sensations are painful and sometimes unbearable. See also: back exercises for lower back pain.
Paroxysmal pain syndrome accompanies patients with neuralgia. The attack may not last long - just a couple of minutes.
Severe pain plagues patients with muscle inflammation (myositis). Acute pain occurs with osteomyelitis (bone infection).
A sharp pain syndrome is characteristic of erysipelas. With this disease, the temperature rises, the skin at the site of the lesion becomes red. Erysipelas is accompanied by bursting, pulsating pain.
As in the case of the left leg, sensations of discomfort and pain in the right limb are caused by vascular problems, osteochondrosis, thrombosis, joint diseases, intervertebral hernias, and osteoporosis.
Pulls and shoots in the leg with osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region. Tugging sensations always indicate the initial stage of the disease, that is, treatment will be most effective at this stage. Unbearable sensations appear when the sciatic nerve is pinched.
Nagging pain in the legs often appears with varicose veins of the deep veins. Pulling in the legs is less common with inflammation of the genital organs in men and women.
Aching sensations in the right leg occur with hemorrhoids, the initial stage of diabetes, kidney diseases, lesions of the spinal column, magnesium and potassium deficiency.
Before prescribing the examination, the doctor collects a detailed medical history. The patient is specified:
With diseases, the legs can not only hurt, but also freeze, become weak, ache, cramp, pull, go numb, or shoot in the foot.
The feet are unique in their structure. They are practically devoid of fat and have little muscle tissue.
Not only diseases, but also lifestyle lead to chills in the extremities.
Taking certain medications, for example, beta-blockers, can also provoke chills in the extremities.
If the patient has constant chills in the extremities, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease. If cold feet are caused by autonomic dysfunction (formerly VSD), it is worth establishing the cause of the syndrome.
To improve blood circulation in the feet, you need to:
A patient with cold feet should get enough protein, iodine, iron and other nutrients. Disturbances in innervation (the passage of nerve impulses) may indicate incipient diabetes mellitus. To check for decreased sensitivity, simply prick your foot or upper thigh with a pin.
In addition to chills, patients may also experience numbness in their legs. Patients often experience cramps in their legs during sleep. After waking up, the patient does not feel his limbs. After rubbing the leg, a tingling sensation occurs, the patient begins to feel how the blood flow has improved, and a feeling of warmth appears in the limb. In patients, both the right and left legs may lose sensation during sleep. Less often - both limbs at once.
Most often, numbness occurs when the spinal nerves are compressed, which is typical for osteochondrosis. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms can be reduced with regular exercise and massage sessions.
Numbness occurs with intervertebral hernia. When the nucleus of the intervertebral disc is displaced, the patient, in addition to pain in the legs, also feels a pronounced pain syndrome in the back. Hernias occur against the background of spinal injuries, scoliosis and progressive osteochondrosis.
With ischemia of the lower extremities, blood flow worsens due to pathological narrowing of blood vessels. Atherosclerosis usually affects patients over 55 years of age, but can also occur in young people due to bad habits and poor diet.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes compression and deformation of the nerves in the joints. The disease is promoted by infectious diseases and genetic predisposition.
Circulatory disorders, and as a result - numbness, can be caused by Raynaud's disease. This serious disease cannot be cured. For prevention, you should protect the sore limb so as not to catch a cold and prevent the serious consequences of this disease - atrophy due to insufficient blood flow. In extreme cases, gangrene occurs. The patient should prevent hypothermia of the legs; it is also necessary to protect the nervous system and avoid stress.
Pain and burning may also indicate nerve damage - neuropathy, which is provoked by: diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis.
Legs become weak and cold for many reasons; an accurate diagnosis helps to avoid unforeseen consequences. Numbness of the toes is possible with radiculoneuritis, cancer due to tumor growth outside and inside the spinal cord, and osteochondrosis.
Everyone knows that when you are frightened or have another strong shock, your legs become weak. Due to diseases of the spine, weakness appears in the legs, which can also be a consequence of flat feet, a consequence of strict diets or past infections. In many ways, weakness in the legs is due to the same reasons as numbness in the extremities (varicose veins, decreased blood pressure, Raynaud's disease, pinched nerves, etc.).
A feeling of powerlessness in the arms and legs occurs with diseases of the spine, but weakness also occurs with problems with the central nervous system, including diseases of the brain.
Weakness in the limbs occurs due to protein deficiency due to prolonged fasting, due to pregnancy, due to head injuries. Weakness is accompanied by increased fatigue and dizziness.
The feeling of cottony legs appears in hot and stuffy weather. Women during menopause, elderly citizens, hypotensive patients, and patients with disorders of the digestive and endocrine systems are susceptible to a feeling of wobbliness in their legs.
In addition to leg weakness, patients may experience cramps, numbness, swelling, tingling, and blue or pale skin.
People who are forced by duty to stand motionless in one place for a long time, as well as people who walk a lot, are susceptible to weakness in the legs.
Possible problems with the veins are indicated by the appearance of pain when raising a limb. In this position the symptoms intensify. With problems with the arteries, on the contrary, the pain syndrome is less noticeable when the limb is lowered. When trying to lift the leg, the pain intensifies. With pathologies of the spinal column, a feeling of crawling sensations appears in the limb.
Pain below the lower back on the right most often occurs with diseases of the reproductive system. In women these are gynecological diseases, in men - urological (prostatitis). Injuries cannot be ruled out, so a visit to the doctor is necessary in any case. If the pain on the right side is accompanied by pain in the right side, the development of cholecystitis, hepatitis, pyelonephritis, and right-sided pneumonia is possible.
In women, pain in the lower right region of the back may indicate the presence of a cyst, a benign ovarian tumor, or poor circulation in the pelvis.
Pain on the right side can occur due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Right-sided pain occurs when posture is distorted. Sleeping on a mattress that is too soft can cause pain.
If the lower back hurts on the left back, the cause may be spondyloarthrosis, a disease in which degenerative changes are observed in the facet joints. Soreness usually appears after sitting in one place for a long time or after waking up, the pain is aching and dull.
Pain radiating to the leg or buttock occurs due to damage to the nerve roots. When the upper lumbar vertebrae are affected, pain occurs in the lower back and can spread to the groin area.
Pain on the left side may occur during pregnancy due to increased stress. The condition of the uterus should be monitored, as hypertonicity provokes premature birth.
There can be many reasons: radiculitis, neurasthenia, diseases of the intestines, left kidney or ovary, pancreas, spleen.
It happens that pain occurs along the entire length. What to do with pain from the lower back to the feet? First you need to find out the reason. Pain syndrome can occur due to venous hyperemia, arterial atherosclerosis, and thrombophlebitis.
Sciatica is pain in the thigh that radiates to the lower leg and foot. With sciatica, pain occurs in the back of the thigh and spreads throughout the leg. Sciatica, like lumboischialgia, is a syndrome and not an independent disease. Characteristic symptoms occur with spinal tuberculosis, injuries, ankylosing spondylitis, tumors of the spinal column and adjacent tissues.
To reduce symptoms, it is necessary to eliminate pain, restore muscle tone, and eliminate the inflammatory process.
Pain in the legs may have nothing to do with the lower back. Pain syndrome may appear separately, without disturbing sensations in the back. Determining the radiating nature of the pain is sometimes difficult, since the back may lose sensitivity and the patient does not feel anything in the lower back.
Lower back pain radiates to the leg in most cases with osteochondrosis and other spinal problems. But diseases can be of a completely different nature, so patients need medical advice. There is no universal treatment for all diseases that cause pain in the lower back that radiates to the leg, since lumbar sciatica is a syndrome and not an independent disease.
For hernias and tumors, surgical intervention is indicated. Do not apply ice or heat the sore area without consulting a doctor, so as not to aggravate the disease.
Treatment of back pain with radiating pain in the right or left leg is carried out in accordance with the diagnosis. Only a doctor can prescribe medications. To relieve pain, warm foot baths with anti-inflammatory herbs are recommended. Contrast baths can be done for numbness and chills in the feet. Such baths take 20-30 seconds: the legs are alternately lowered into a basin with hot and ice water. The procedure time is no more than 5 minutes. After the procedures, the feet are lubricated with turpentine ointment and wrapped in a warm blanket.
Factors that provoke pain syndrome are:
To improve blood supply, you should move more and engage in light sports. When lying down, you should use a cushion to reduce the load on your legs. To maintain a healthy spine, the bed should be quite hard.
If you have any problems, you should contact a therapist, who will refer you to specialized specialists: rheumatologist, phlebologist, traumatologist, surgeon, neurologist, chiropractor, orthopedist, vertebrologist.
If the lower back hurts and acute discomfort appears in the groin area, then the woman should visit a doctor as soon as possible, who will carry out the necessary treatment.
If you are shot in the lower back, the pain usually radiates to the leg, as the sciatic nerve is pinched. Treatment in this case consists of removing the pain.
The cause of lower back pain is usually a disease of the joints of the spine, as a result of which the intervertebral discs change their shape, and joint pain occurs.