Menstrual pain is a pain that many women experience, and it does not interfere with their daily lives for some people, but it causes severe discomfort for some women. In fact, some studies have shown that about 20 percent of women who have menstruation experience severe and painful menstrual pain that requires canceling plans or changing the way they dress. This article explains in detail the cause and how to solve menstrual pain when it is severe.
What is menstrual pain?
Gastric cramps, acne, and abdominal bloating are natural parts of the menstrual cycle, and about 75% of menstruating women reported abdominal cramps just before or during menstruation. Some women feel back pain, but menstrual pain generally occurs in the lower abdomen. In addition, pain in the back or legs may be released, nausea or vomiting may occur, and in severe cases, diarrhea may occur.
Primary menstrual pain and secondary menstrual pain
Menstrual pain is divided into two categories and is diagnosed as primary or secondary menstrual pain according to symptoms. Primary menstrual pain refers to all spasmodic pain caused by menstruation. Secondary menstrual pain is a pain associated with reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis, uterine myoma, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Causes of menstrual pain
Primary menstrual pain is a pain that occurs when the body prepares itself during menstruation. Menstruation produces a chemical called prostaglandin that affects the perception of pain. It also controls inflammation, blood pressure, and coagulation. And if the uterus contracts and the inner membrane is peeled off, convulsions or, in worse cases, menstrual pain can occur due to this contraction. Secondary menstrual pain is associated with the following reproductive health conditions.
Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue begins to grow in different locations, such as ovaries and uterine tubes
Myoma of the uterus: A non-cancerous tumor that occurs in the uterus and is composed of muscles and fibrous tissues, and varies in size.Reproductive organs: Conditions such as infection in the upper part of the uterus, infections in the ovaries and uterine tubes, such as PID, cause secondary menstrual pain. Cervical stenosis: It occurs when the opening of the cervix is too small and the endometrium does not come out freely during menstruation, causing pain or pressure.
What to do when you have severe menstrual pain
When primary or secondary menstrual pain is severe, the solution is to comply with the correct dosage of general medication painkillers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen to relieve the pain to some extent. In addition to ibuprofen, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can also help reduce the amount of prostaglandins produced in the body to reduce the intensity of menstrual pain. Studies have shown that another way to help fight the pain of menstrual cramps is hormonal contraception. The most effective options generally include both the sex hormones estrogen and progestin (synthetic form of hormone progesterone). In addition, it is recommended to steam the lower abdomen with a hot water bottle or a warm patch. In addition, dropping a few drops of lavender oil in the bath can help relax your muscles. If you experience severe pain and other atypical symptoms related to infection with high fever, or pain with severe bleeding, it is recommended to consult a hospital in consideration of emergency situations. During menstruation, it is recommended to eat a light but nutritious and vitamin-rich diet (e.g., oats, bananas, walnuts, ginger, and sunflower seeds). If you have enough strength and energy, you should do yoga, jogging, or doing soft exercises with enough stretching.