Many women and adolescent girls suffer from a painful condition known as Dysmenorrhea. Symptoms begin with menstruation or a little earlier and typically last three days. However, the severity of pain often varies.
The most Common Symptoms of Menstrual Cramps are- -
There are two types of Dysmenorrhea:
Primary Dysmenorrhea is pain from menstrual cramps resulting from the normal process of menstruation and not due to any underlying gynecologic disorder. Discomfort begins one or two days before the beginning of menstrual bleeding, lasts for about three days, and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or diarrhea. Primary Dysmenorrhea typically targets adolescent girls and subsides with age, usually after pregnancy and delivery after the cervix enlarges. Other causes of primary Dysmenorrhea include a retroverted uterus, early onset of menstruation in adolescent girls, smoking, high-stress levels, alcoholism, lack of exercise, and obesity.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea is pain due to a gynecological issue. Discomfort begins earlier in the menstrual cycle and lasts longer than common menstrual cramps, with no other symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or diarrhea. Possible causes include fibroids, endometriosis, sexually transmitted infections (STI), ovarian cysts, benign tumors, inserted contraceptive devices, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Abdominal pain during menstruation is caused by inflammation from a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin released during uterine contractions. If prostaglandin levels are exceptionally high, women experience frequent uterine contractions, which causes severe pain.
As the uterine lining is shed, contractions push blood tissue through the cervix and out of the body.
Cramps begin before the menstrual period, peak 24 hours later, and start to subside after a day or two.
Painful menstruation may require a medical evaluation to rule out any underlying disorder. Pelvic examination, ultrasound, and blood or urine tests may be necessary.
The good news is that primary and secondary Dysmenorrhea are easily managed. Medical treatment of Dysmenorrhea aims to provide symptomatic relief and inhibit the underlying processes that cause symptoms.
Dysmenorrhea is graded according to the severity of pain and degree of limitation of daily activity and helps to devise treatment strategies, which include:
If pain is not relieved by the above treatments, an underlying cause may indicate secondary Dysmenorrhea. Specific measures (surgical or medical) may be required to treat pelvic conditions such as endometriosis. Uterine Artery Embolization can curb the growth of fibroids, and surgery to remove them can also be an option. Hysterectomy, which removes the entire reproductive system, is a last resort. Regular use of analgesics may be required as supporting therapy.
You don't have to suffer every month! Dysmenorrhea can be easy to manage. Talk to your doctor and visit our website Damozelle, for a complete line of pain relievers.
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