What You Should Know About Period Pains - MENSTRUAL CRAMPS

Menstruation occurs when the uterus sheds its lining once a month. The lining passes through a small opening in the cervix and out through the vaginal canal.

Some pain, cramping, and discomfort during menstrual periods is normal. Excessive pain that causes you to miss work or school is not.

CAUSES

There may not be an identifiable cause of your painful menstrual periods. Some women are at a higher risk for having painful menstrual periods. These risks include:

•Being under age 20
•Having a family history of painful periods
•Smoking
•Having heavy bleeding with periods
•Having irregular periods
•Never having had a baby
•Reaching puberty before age 11

A hormone called prostaglandin triggers muscle contractions in your uterus that expel the lining. These contractions can cause pain and inflammation. The level of prostaglandin rises right before menstruation begins.
Painful menstrual periods can also be the result of an underlying medical condition, such as:

•Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): a group of symptoms caused by hormonal changes in the body that occur 1 to 2 weeks before menstruation begins and go away after a woman begins to bleed
•Endometriosis
•Fibroids in the uterus
•Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that causes inflammation of the reproductive organs and pain

HOME TREATMENT

Home care treatments may be successful in relieving painful menstrual periods and can include:

•Using a heating pad on your pelvic area or back
•Massaging your abdomen
•Taking a warm bath
•Regular physical exercise
•Eating light, nutritious meals
•Practicing relaxation techniques or yoga
•Taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen several days before your expected period
•Raising your legs or lying with your knees bent

WHEN TO GO TO THE CLINIC

If menstrual pain is interfering with your ability to perform basic tasks each month, it may be time to talk to your gynecologist. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and if you experience any of the following:

•At least three painful menstrual periods
•Passing blood clots
•Cramping accompanied by diarrhea and nausea
•Pelvic pain when not menstruating

Sudden cramping or pelvic pain could be signs of infection. An untreated infection can cause scar tissue that damages the pelvic organs and may lead to infertility. If you have symptoms of an infection, seek prompt medical attention.

Symptoms include:

•Fever
•Severe pelvic pain
•Sudden pain, especially if you may be pregnant
•Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will first take your medical history to check for the underlying causes of your painful menstrual periods. They will also perform a physical examination. This will include a pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities in your reproductive system and to look for signs of infection.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

If home treatment does not relieve your menstrual pain, there are some medical treatment options. Treatment will depend on the severity and underlying cause of your pain. If PID or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are causing your pain, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to clear the infections.

Your doctor may also prescribe medications that include:

•Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen.
•Pain relievers like paracetamol.
•Antidepressants: Antidepressants can help lessen some of the mood swings associated with PMS.

Your doctor may also suggest that you try hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control is available as a pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection, or implant. Hormones prevent ovulation, which can control your menstrual cramps.