Dysmenorrhoea or commonly referred to as menstrual cramps are a common problem among women. This normally begins on the onset of their menstruation or a premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Severe dysmenorrhoea can affect half of the female population especially during teenage and adulthood.
During the first or second day of menstruation, the uterine muscles contract and clotted blood passes through the cervix causing pain in the lower abdomen. Menstrual cramps may also be accompanied by backache, pinching sensations in the inner thighs, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, faintness, dizziness, fatigue, and headaches.
Effects of dysmenorrhoea
The pain can be tolerable for others but severe for some such that even their simple movements and normal activities are affected.
Cramping during menstruation is one cause of absenteeism among female students and employees. For mild menstrual cramps, bed rest for a day and pain reliever helps abate the pain. Painful abdominal pain, however, should not be taken for granted. It can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
Types of dysmenorrhea
There are two types of menstrual cramps or dysmennorhea. Understanding which type of dysmenorrhea a woman is suffering from will also lead to proper treatment.
Primary dysmenorrhea
This type of menstrual cramps occur one or two days before a woman’s period but can last for at least two days or four days for longer menstrual cycle.The cramping is on the lower belly area and lower back that tends to be recurrent. The pain is not due to problems with the pelvic organs or uterus but because of an elevated level of prostaglandin activities in the uterus. Many women noticed that the pain become less intense as they grow older or after they have delivered a child or children.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Lower back pain accompanying menstrual period may be an indication of serious medical disorder like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Don’t take menstrual pains for granted, it may be a sign of a serious problem.
Benign tumors called uterine fibroids can develop in the womb causing menstrual cramps.
Using copper intrauterine device (IUD) can cause abdominal pain as well as infection from high risk sexual activities.
Even stress and anxiety can also cause menstrual cramps.
Treatment
Treatment for primary dysmenorrhea can be over-the-counter medications that contain ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. These types of pain reliever are “anti-prostaglandins” and can ease pain in as short as 30 minutes. Oral contraceptives are also used to cure menstrual cramps since this condition may also indicate hormonal imbalance.
Secondary dysmenorrhea can be treated depending on the cause of pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives are also being given.
Medroxyporgesterone acetate like DepoProvera is prescribed and surgery is necessary for cases of endometriosis, adenomyosis, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids.