Painful menstrual pain could be a signal to other medical condition

Emobileclinic Trending Topic :Dysmenorrhea

The medical term for painful menstrual periods is dysmenorrhea. It is the uterine pain around the time of menses. It is a monthly occurrence for women in reproductive age. It is certain that almost half of women experience menstrual cramps and the pain is severe in some than others. It has been shown that women who do not exercise experience more painful menstrual cramps.

What causes menstrual cramps?
At every menstrual cycle where there is no sperm to fertilize the egg, the uterus contractions do expel its lining and this process is driven by the release of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which is associated with pain and inflammation in higher levels. Furthermore, leukotrienes are also elevated during menstruation, and they may be the cause of menstrual cramps.
Painful menstrual periods fall into two types, depending on the cause:

•  Primary dysmenorrhea

•  Secondary dysmenorrhea

 Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that occurs around the time that menstrual periods first begin in otherwise healthy young women. Increased activity of the hormone prostaglandin, which is produced in the uterus, is thought to play a role in this condition. There is no underlying gynecologic pathology causing the pain.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that develops later in women who have had normal periods. Several underlying medical conditions are also capable of causing menstrual cramps. These include:

•  Endometriosis

•  Uterine Fibroids

•  Intrauterine device (IUD) made of copper

•  Pelvic inflammatory disease

•  Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

•  Sexually transmitted infection caused by bacterium

•  Stress and anxiety

•  Adenomyosis

•  Cervical stenosis

 Symptoms
Symptoms of menstrual cramp include cramps, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, dull, throbbing, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, pain in the lower back and thighs, constipation, bloating in the belly area

Treatment
The following steps may help you to avoid prescription medicines:

•  Apply a heating pad to your lower belly area, below your belly button.

•  Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower belly area.

•  Drink warm beverages and eat light but frequent meals.

•  Keep your legs raised while lying down, or lie on your side with your knees bent.

•  Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.

•  Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen. Start taking it the day before your period is expected to start, and continue taking it regularly for the first few days of your period.

•  Take vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is from PMS.

•  Take warm showers or baths.

•  Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.

•  Lose weight if you are overweight. Get regular, aerobic exercise.

•  If these self-care measures do not work, your doctor may offer you treatment such as:

•  Prescription anti-inflammatory medicines

•  Prescription pain relievers (including narcotics, for brief periods)

•  Antidepressants

•  Antibiotics