For many, menstrual periods are simply an unwelcome monthly guest. But for others, the pain associated with it is so severe that it disrupts their daily life.
If your period cramps go beyond just mild discomfort, you might be dealing with something known as dysmenorrhea – a condition that affects millions but often gets brushed off as just “part of being a woman.”
While period cramps are mostly normal, debilitating pain that forces you to miss school or work is not.
What is Dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea is just a fancy medical term for menstrual cramps. But instead of just painful periods, it also includes other symptoms like nausea and diarrhea.
Usually, menstrual cramps start a day before or after you start your period. The pain then either goes away entirely or subsides after the first two or three days.
Types of Dysmenorrhea
There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
Primary Dysmenorrhea
If your cramps are mild to moderate, that is normal and even common. If they come back every time you get your period, it’s probably primary dysmenorrhea.
Primary dysmenorrhea usually begins a few days before your menstrual bleeding starts, and isn’t caused by another medical condition. The pain associated with it is neither severe nor lasts longer than three days. You might commonly feel it in your lower abdomen or back.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
Secondary dysmenorrhea is when your periods are painful due to a medical issue or infection. This type of dysmenorrhea is less common and more painful.
When you continue to feel menstrual cramps long after the bleeding has stopped, it’s time to pick up your phone and start looking for gynecologist oncologist near me to find a reliable healthcare provider.
Seriously, secondary dysmenorrhea is far more serious and unbearable than primary dysmenorrhea. It is also often linked with underlying conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both of which require medical attention.
What Causes Dysmenorrhea?
You might have often found yourself wondering (or, let’s be honest, complaining), “Why are periods so painful?” Well, it’s because your prostaglandin levels rise during menstruation. As a result, your uterus tightens up, and that’s why you feel those cramps.
“But why does it have to contract like that?” I hear you. Being a woman is hard. But your uterus has to contract in order to shed its uterine lining. That’s what makes up the menstrual blood, after all.
So, cramps are essentially your uterus tightening and relaxing. There’s no clear reason for why some feel it more than others, but it could be attributed to higher or lower levels of prostaglandins in the body.
Risk Factors
You might be more susceptible to painful periods if you are younger than 20, have heavier and longer periods than normal, smoke cigarettes, or have an immediate family member with dysmenorrhea as well.
If your first period started before you turned 12, there’s also a high chance of you developing dysmenorrhea.
Common Symptoms
Primary dysmenorrhea presents itself with:
- Mild to severe pain in your abdomen, back, or thighs.
- Abdominal pressure or discomfort.
- Nausea, headache, and dizziness.
Meanwhile, pain associated with secondary dysmenorrhea is often caused by:
- Endometriosis – an overgrowth of the uterine lining.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – a bacterial infection in the uterus.
- Fibroids – benign tumors near your uterus.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – a common hormonal disease.
…and other similar medical conditions.
How is Dysmenorrhea Diagnosed?
Both primary and secondary dysmenorrhea can be treated if you get yourself checked.
For primary dysmenorrhea, most women don’t seek treatments or even think of going for a checkup. Most of the time, the symptoms associated with it can be managed at home.
The standard procedure for diagnosing dysmenorrhea is a pelvic exam. It helps find out whether you’re dealing with primary or secondary dysmenorrhea. They may also require a fluid sample to find out if it’s another serious condition affecting your periods.
If the test comes positive for another health condition, you most likely have secondary dysmenorrhea. This is when additional tests, like ultrasounds or hysteroscopy, might also be needed. Sometimes, even CT scans and MRI tests are advised.
It is also possible that you don’t have dysmenorrhea at all. Some other conditions that could be mistaken for painful periods are sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. In any case, you will need to get tested.
Medical Treatment for Dysmenorrhea
The most common treatment option people go for is painkillers. This is also the first treatment recommended for managing the pain that comes with dysmenorrhea. Medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are prescribed, and advised to take as soon as you feel the cramps coming.
Depending on your condition and its severity, your doctor may also prescribe hormone therapy or hormonal medications like birth control.
Finding Relief at Home
Don’t want to over-rely on medications? You can go for home remedies too, especially if your menstrual cramps aren’t as painful. They also work well paired with medical treatments.
Here are some at-home treatments you can try:
- Heating pads or hot water bottles.
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
- Abdominal and back massages.
- Light, regular exercising. Even breathing exercises work.
- Eating green vegetables and drinking green tea.
- Yoga and acupuncture.
- Taking vitamins and supplements.
While it may not be possible to prevent dysmenorrhea, you can take steps to manage your symptoms.
Remember to complement medication with lifestyle changes like regular exercise and a balanced diet as well.
When to See a Doctor
If your menstrual cramps are taking over your life, you shouldn’t just sit back and try to “deal with it.” Consult a specialist as soon as possible if your cramps:
- Last longer than usual.
- Don’t improve with over-the-counter medication and home remedies.
- Come with heavy bleeding
- Cause extreme nausea, vomiting, and fever.
- Affect your ability to work and function in general.
Make sure that you keep track of all your symptoms, how long they last, and other medical diagnoses (if any). If you feel pelvic pain even when you’re not menstruating, that may be a sign of infection.
There are always ways to make your painful periods less painful. Don’t wait to ask for professional medical help.
