Top reasons for colic outside the menstrual period to keep an eye out for

It’s hard to find a woman who doesn’t suffer from the famous colic. Extremely uncomfortable, they are very common in the days before menstruation. But what about when they appear outside of this cycle? What are the reasons? What to do? Check out the following article and ask your main questions about colic outside the menstrual period with gynecologist Lorraine Sales.

Is cramping outside of the menstrual period normal?

According to Lorraine Sales, non-menstrual cramps need to be monitored. The patient who feels this discomfort outside the days before menstruation should look for a trained professional, as only he/she will be able to tell if it is normal or not.

“There are other causes of colic that have nothing to do with the menstrual period. Depending on the cause, we just follow up; in some cases, we need to treat this colic,” he emphasizes.

The doctor also explains that, regardless of the reason, these cramps cannot be ignored. According to her, some patients seek gynecological care and end up discovering that the reason for the pain is actually related to intestinal causes! That is, medical consultation is essential to know the causes and how to treat.

7 possible causes for colic outside the menstrual period

If the cramping you feel is not linked to your menstrual period, then how about checking out the possible causes for these pains? The following list brings the main reasons explained by the professional. Follow:

1. pregnancy

According to the doctor, many women report feeling cramping in the first few months of pregnancy. This happens due to the implantation of the embryo in the endometrium, which is the inner layer of the uterus.

Lorraine Sales emphasizes that this cramping is usually mild, self-limiting, and usually goes away easily. In these cases, the patient can take medication that relieves the pain, however, when the pain becomes persistent, the woman needs to undergo an evaluation. “And if the woman has colic outside her menstrual period and her period is late, it is important to take a pregnancy test for sure”, she guides.

2. Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue cells that line the uterus – the endometrium -, instead of being shed during menstruation, move in the opposite direction and end up falling into the ovaries or abdominal cavity, where they multiply and bleed again. .

Thus, the person with endometriosis will experience a lot of cramping, both in the menstrual period and outside of it. “That’s because it is a progressive, inflammatory disease and the outbreaks of endometriosis generate this pain in the patient”, explains the gynecologist. For those who suffer from this problem, correct medications, surgeries and, of course, the follow-up of a professional are recommended.

3. Previous Illnesses and Treatments

Lorraine Sales explains that previous treatments and illnesses can also cause cramping outside of your period. Patients who have already had cervical cancer may feel these pains, for example. “If a woman has already had her cervix cauterized, it can cause cramping outside of her period,” she says.

4. Cramping with discharge

When it comes to non-menstrual cramping with discharge, Lorraine Sales warns of a possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease. They are caused by bacteria acquired during sexual intercourse, mainly chlamydia and gonococci, which are the bacteria of gonorrhea.

If not treated properly, these bacteria that are in the vagina can reach the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and cause inflammation, a very serious infection, according to the doctor. “Usually, this colic is related to discharge, with a foul odor, a lot of pain in sexual intercourse and can be associated with fever too”, she explains.

In these situations, it is very important to undergo an evaluation with a gynecologist, emphasizes the professional, “because the patient will need to be treated, and so will his or her partner”.

5. Colic with gas

Lorraine Sales explains that cramping associated with gas can be intestinal causes. “Some women may have difficulty passing gas or produce too much. This retention will distend the intestinal loops. It causes a lot of pain, and it’s a cramping pain,” she emphasizes.

The professional warns that the consumption of some foods is linked to this accumulation of gases and, in some cases, they come from an inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with lactose intolerance are a good example, according to the doctor.

The gynecologist also claims that gas retention can make the belly bloated. A simple touch exam can show this accumulation! “In one part of the physical examination, when we evaluated the patient’s abdomen, we heard a more titanic sound, which is the sound of accumulated gases. It could be a cause of bloating or pelvic inflammatory disease, so it’s important to be aware of that,” she points out.

6. Cramping with back pain

Another type of colic that is very common outside the menstrual period and that usually affects women is renal colic. “It is important to evaluate to see if the patient does not have a kidney stone, if she is not passing any stones”, emphasizes Lorraine Sales.

The doctor also warns of the pain that radiates through the back with intestinal causes, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, which can cause this discomfort more in the lumbar region. The doctor says that this is quite common and, in these cases, the patient needs to be referred to another specialist.

“It happens that the patient comes to me with a complaint of colic, with all the certainty that it is colic related to some gynecological cause and, many times, I end up discovering that she has an intestinal disease”, she reports.

7. Pelvic inflammatory diseases

As explained earlier, in other cases, cramps may be associated with causes other than gynecological problems. If the patient is retaining gas, for example, this can cause a lot of pain.

“We also need to think about intestinal causes. So, sometimes, the patient may have distention of the intestinal loops. Anything that distends the intestinal loop causes a lot of pain”, informs the doctor. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are other intestinal problems that need to be investigated!

“That’s why it’s very important to value the woman’s complaint of colic, because it could be the uterus? It can, but it can be many other things, so you have to discard them all”, concludes Lorraine Sales.

No matter the reason for your colic: if it is persistent and very bothersome, seek professional help! After all, only he can give the correct diagnosis and treatment. Take the opportunity and also read about endometriosis to understand more about this problem that affects many women.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.