Dysmenorrhea, Painful Menstruation

Dysmenorrhea, Painful Menstruation
Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen just before or during
your menstrual period. Two types are primary or secondary. Primary
dysmenorrhea usually begins one to two years after your first period
and is rare after childbirth. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a
specific disease or disorder and may appear years after regular
menstruation. These include endometriosis (the cells from the lining of
the uterus escape into the abdomen and cause pain and irritation),
fibroids (non-cancer growths inside the uterus); or Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease (infection of the pelvic organs).

In primary dysmenorrhea, each month as the lining of the uterus
(endometrium) breaks down. Hormones called prostaglandins are released.
These cause the muscles of the uterus to contract and squeeze the
lining out (menstruation). Some women have higher prostaglandin levels,
therefore have more pain.

Dysmenorrhea may or may not be accompanied by Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). PMS occurs in the days just before your period and makes you feel irritable, depressed, and bloated.

Crampy pain or discomfort in the low abdomen, low back and into the
inner thighs. May also cause nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea or
fatigue.

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) such
as ibuprofen and aspirin help relieve the pain and cramping. Also
helpful may be a heating pad to your abdomen, a hot bath or shower,
abdominal massage and plenty of rest.

If you take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, make sure you
take it at the first sign of bleeding or cramping. If your periods are
regular and you can predict when your period will start, begin taking
the ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory one day before you expect your
period. This will prevent cramping in many cases. Taking ibuprofen or
naproxen with food or milk may help to reduce the possible side effects
from these drugs of nausea and heartburn.

You may be prescribed vitamin-B supplements. These help relieve symptoms in some persons. Some herbal tea can reduce symptoms of dysmenorrhea.