Menstrual Pain

More Inside about Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain is not a serious problem but of course this is not a pleasant thing for some women who experience it. lucky for minority of women who do not feel pain or only slight pain, but for the majority of women who experience painful cramps and the pain that burns with little in the way of help or relief. one part of the life of each woman is menstrual period the monthly. Menstruation starts at puberty, at the age of 13-14 in females and continues till menopause that occurs at the age of 45-50.The age cannot be specifically mentioned, for it varies from one female to the other. Menstruation accompanied by severe pain or cramping and a trauma for many women. Little or tolerable pain occurs for all women but for some, periods are very painful and troublesome. During adolescence is usually a lot more pain and continued but usually diminish and disappear after birth of child. 

Menstrual pain is mostly located in the region of the lower abdomen either centrally (suprapubic or umbilical) or on the sides and may radiate to the thighs or lower back. gradually the pain tends to subside as menstrual flow. This pain is something that affects all women to varying degrees.

Menstrual pain is known in medical terms as 'dysmenorrhea'. This usually occurs in the lower abdomen and pelvic area of women. Dysmenorrhea is the condition that causes these painful cramps. 

There are two types of dysmenorrhea :

- Primary dysmenorrhea refers to menstrual pain in healthy women. The pain is not related to any problems with the uterus or pelvic organs.

* Primary dysmenorrhea can be caused by the following:

* Strong uterine contractions

* Anxiety and stress

* Blood and tissue being discharged through a narrow cervix

* Displaced uterus

* Lack of exercise

- Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that is attributed to an underlying disease or structural abnormality either within or outside the uterus.

* Secondary dysmenorrhea can be caused by the following:

* Endometriosis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus)

* Blood and tissue being discharged through a narrow cervix

* Uterine fibroid or ovarian cyst

* Infections of the uterus

* Pelvic inflammatory disease

* Intrauterine device

* Abnormal pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancy

Symptoms Associated With Menstrual Pain

- Dull or throbbing ache in lower abdomen and pelvis.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Urge for frequent urination.

Causes of Menstrual Pain

Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by strong contractions of the uterus triggered by prostaglandins, chemicals in the body that are involved in inflammation and pain. Generally, the higher the levels of prostaglandins, the more menstrual pain.

Secondary dysmenorrhea can be caused by:
  
- Endometriosis, inflammation of the lining of the uterus

- Blood and tissue being passing through a narrow cervix

- Uterine fibroid or ovarian cyst

- Infections of the uterus

- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

- Intrauterine device (IUD)

Menstrual Pain Treatment

Primary dysmenorrhea treatment

- Drug therapy - the following types of drugs are known to be effective against menstrual pain

- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) like ibuprofen, piroxicam, diclofenac, etc.

- Other prescription pain relievers (including narcotic drugs), such as pentazocine, tramadol, codeine, etc.

- Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills)

- Non-drug therapy - the following non-drug home remedies have been reported to relieve or at least reduce menstrual pain in some women.

- drinking warm beverages

- taking warm showers or baths

- applying a heating pad over the lower abdomen, below the belly button

- doing light circular massage with the finger tips over the lower abdomen

- avoiding heavy meals (eating light but frequent)

- increasing intake of dietary fibres (taking more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc) and reducing intake of salt, sugar, alcohol and caffeine (coffee).

- keeping the legs elevated while lying down or lying on ones side with the knees bent

- practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga

- doing regular exercises, including pelvic rocking exercises

- controlling ones weight (losing weight if overweight)

Treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea such as :

- Antibiotics, for instance in treatment of PID and STD's

- Surgery, e.g. for fibroids, ovarian cysts, etc

- Hormonal therapy, e.g. in treating endometriosis

- Anti-depressants, e.g. in the management of PMS

- Nutritional supplements, e.g. thiamine (vitamin B1), magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, etc, have been shown to relieve or reduce menstrual pain, especially in primary dysmenorrhea. Thiamine, in particular, has been shown to provide a cure, rather than mere pain suppression, in many women with primary dysmenorrhea.