Are you also bothered by menstrual pain? Let's learn about Dysmenorrhea!

As a girl or a woman, it is normal to have your period every month. But for some people, these days are very painful. There are times when it is so difficult to do daily activities with stomach aches and back pain. Have you had such an experience? Then this may be about you. In medical science, the name given to this menstrual pain is dysmenorrhea .

What is dysmenorrhea?

Simply put, dysmenorrhea refers to the pain that occurs with your monthly period, or menstrual cramps. In addition to this abdominal pain, you may also experience symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea. For many people, this pain begins a day before or on the day of their period. However, these symptoms subside after about two to three days.

It's normal to have some pain or discomfort during your period. But for some people, the pain is so severe that it interferes with their daily activities and prevents them from doing the things they love. Imagine, for some people, this pain not only prevents them from going to school or work, but also prevents them from doing normal household chores. There are times when they have to stay in bed. But the good news is that there are medications and other treatments for this.

Are there types of dysmenorrhea?

Yes, there are two main types of dysmenorrhea.

1. Primary Dysmenorrhea

This is the most common type. Primary dysmenorrhea is pain that occurs with your monthly period, but is not caused by any other underlying medical condition. The pain usually starts a day or two before your period, or when your period starts. You may feel mild to severe pain in your lower abdomen, back, and sometimes thighs. This pain usually subsides within two to three days.

2. Secondary Dysmenorrhea

If you have painful periods because of a medical condition or infection in your reproductive system (such as your uterus or ovaries), it's called secondary dysmenorrhea. This type of pain starts earlier and lasts longer than regular menstrual cramps. For example, you might have pain starting a few days before your period and continuing until your period has stopped. This is less common than primary dysmenorrhea.

Is it normal to have dysmenorrhea?

It is normal to have some pain during menstruation. About 60% of women with a uterus experience some pain during their period. Also, between 5% and 15%Many report that they have severe pain that interferes with their daily activities. However, doctors believe that this number may be higher because many people do not talk about their period pain. In many cases, these painful periods may decrease as you get older. And the condition may also improve after you have a baby.

Why does this menstrual pain occur? What is the main cause?

Menstrual cramps are caused by a chemical called prostaglandin that causes your uterus to contract (tighten). During your period, your body has higher levels of this prostaglandin. This means your uterus contracts more than usual. This is what causes the pain and discomfort you feel. These contractions help the lining of your uterus (that is, menstrual blood and tissue) to pass through your vagina. Prostaglandin levels increase very close to the start of your period. Once your period starts, these levels decrease. That is why the pain subsides after a few days.

Why do some people feel these menstrual cramps so badly?

You actually feel your uterus tighten and then relax. The muscles in your uterus contract to help push out the lining of your uterus. Experts aren't sure why some people feel this pain more than others. But they think it may be because they have higher levels of prostaglandins than others . Or, because everyone's body is different, there may be no clear cause.

What are the symptoms of painful menstrual cramps?

If you have painful periods, you may experience things like:

• A nagging, squeezing pain coming from inside the stomach (sometimes this can be unbearable).
• A feeling like a stomach ache .
• Pain in the hip area, lower back, and inner thighs.
• Other symptoms like nausea , dizziness , and headaches .

Most of the time, this pain starts 24 to 48 hours before your period starts. The pain usually subsides within 48 hours of your period starting.

How does secondary dysmenorrhea cause menstrual cramps?

Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain caused by a medical condition that affects your reproductive organs. Some of the conditions that can cause this type of pain include:

• Endometriosis : This is when the lining of your uterus (called the endometrium) grows inside your uterus.(called) growths outside the uterus. So during menstruation, these external parts bleed, causing swelling, scarring , and severe pain.
• Adenomyosis : In this condition, the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus. This can cause the uterus to become larger than normal, cause abnormal bleeding, and cause pain.
• Fibroids: These are non-cancerous tumors that can develop inside the uterus, outside the uterus, or in the uterine wall.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): This is a bacterial infection. It starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs. PID can cause abdominal pain or pain during sex.
• Cervical Stenosis: Narrowing of your cervix due to surgery, treatment, or another condition.
• Congenital Conditions: Some conditions you're born with can also cause painful periods. These can include an irregularly shaped uterus or other conditions that affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Who is more likely to develop dysmenorrhea?

You may be more likely to experience painful periods if you:

• If you had your first period before the age of 12 .
• If you are under 20 years old (young people are more likely to see this).
• If your periods are heavy or last more than seven days .
• If you are a smoker .
• If one of your biological parents also had dysmenorrhea .

Can painful menstruation cause complications?

Menstrual cramps themselves usually don't cause any problems, other than disrupting your daily life. However, if these painful periods are caused by a medical condition (i.e., secondary dysmenorrhea), then complications can occur. For example, conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can cause infertility or ectopic pregnancy . That's why it's important to see a doctor to see if there's an underlying cause for your menstrual cramps.

How do you tell the difference between normal cramps and dysmenorrhea? When should you see a doctor?

If you have severe or unusual menstrual cramps, or if they last more than three days, be sure to see a doctor.Both primary and secondary dysmenorrhea can be treated. That's why it's important to get tested. First, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and your menstrual cycle. Then , he or she will perform a pelvic exam . This involves inserting gloved fingers into your vagina and examining your vagina and cervix. A small sample of vaginal discharge may also be taken for testing. The goal of this exam is to find out if there is an underlying medical condition that is causing your painful periods. If no obvious cause can be found, your doctor will likely diagnose you with primary dysmenorrhea. However, if your doctor thinks you may have secondary dysmenorrhea (which is caused by another medical condition), you may need to have additional tests. These imaging and other diagnostic tests can help your doctor get a better understanding of your uterus and other reproductive organs. Your doctor may suggest tests like these:

• Ultrasound: This uses sound waves to create images of your uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive organs.
• Hysteroscopy: In this procedure, the doctor uses a thin, lighted instrument to look inside your uterus. This instrument transmits images of the uterus to a screen.
• Laparoscopy: In this procedure, the doctor makes several small incisions in your abdomen and inserts a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light on one end) to look at your pelvic organs.

If these tests confirm that you have a medical condition that is causing your painful periods, your doctor will talk to you about treatment.

How can you reduce menstrual cramps?

There are several things you can do to reduce painful periods.

Painkillers (NSAIDs and others)

Painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often the first treatment for dysmenorrhea. These include medications like ibuprofen or naproxen . You can buy these at a pharmacy or supermarket. These medications work by reducing the amount of chemicals called prostaglandins that your body makes. This reduces the forceful contractions of your uterus, which can reduce pain. It's best to take these medications as soon as you start having cramps. If you can't take NSAIDs, acetaminophen can help.You can take another painkiller, such as paracetamol. Your doctor can also prescribe you medication. They can give you ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory drug in a higher dose than you can get from the pharmacy.

Hormonal Medications

Your doctor may also suggest hormonal birth control as a treatment. People who take hormonal medications have less menstrual pain. This can include birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings.

Other ways to reduce menstrual cramps

There are several ways to reduce menstrual cramps without medication:

• When you have a fever , place a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen or back.
• Get more rest.
• Avoid consuming foods and drinks containing caffeine (like coffee and tea).
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Gently massage your lower back and abdomen.
• Exercise regularly. It has been found that people who exercise have less menstrual pain.

If tests confirm that you have secondary dysmenorrhea, your doctor will talk to you about treating the condition that's causing your pain. This may include oral contraceptives, other types of medication, or surgery.

What are some alternative treatments that help with menstrual cramps?

People with painful periods often look for natural ways to manage their pain. Studies on alternative or complementary methods are inconclusive. However, here are some natural remedies that are thought to help relieve menstrual pain:

• Yoga
• Acupuncture and Acupressure
• Relaxation or breathing exercises
• Eating foods that reduce inflammation (e.g. green vegetables, spinach, kale, ginger, nuts) and drinking green tea .
• Taking supplements like Vitamin D or Magnesium (these can help reduce inflammation).

Can I prevent dysmenorrhea?

No, you can't prevent it completely. However, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help reduce the intensity of the pain.

When should you see your doctor about menstrual cramps?

If you have painful periods that are so bad that you can't do your normal activities, definitely see a doctor. Mild cramps are normal. But if you have severe cramps and pain that are so severe that you can't go to school or work, you may need treatment.

To help you, it's a good idea to keep a diary of the days your period starts and the days when the pain is the worst. This will make it easier to tell your doctor. If you have other symptoms, such as headaches or heavy bleeding, write them down too.

Your doctor will likely ask you when you started menstruating, how long you've had symptoms, whether you're sexually active, and whether other people in your family have had problems with menstruation.

Finally, take-home message:

It's normal to experience some minor aches and pains during your monthly period. But if you have unbearably painful periods – known as dysmenorrhea – you don't have to suffer in silence. There are ways to reduce your menstrual cramps. So, definitely talk to your doctor about your painful periods. They can help you. Remember, you're not alone, there are many people who are going through this, and there are solutions!

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` Menstrual pain, Dysmenorrhea, Period pain, Menstrual cramps, Primary dysmenorrhea, Secondary dysmenorrhea, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Uterine pain, Painkillers