Dysmenorrhea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Painful menstrual periods are medically referred to as 'dysmenorrhea.' The uterus contracts to remove the lining, which is why it occurs. Usually, the discomfort starts a few days before your period and goes away. It might be primary or secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea: This starts the moment your menstruation begins and lasts the rest of your life. Severe and irregular uterine contractions may result in severe and frequent menstrual cramps.

Secondary dysmenorrhea: This kind has a physiological basis. Typically, it begins later in life and might be brought on by another health condition, including endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.

A chemical imbalance in the body causes abnormal uterine contractions in women who have primary dysmenorrhea. For instance, the uterine contractions are regulated by the chemical prostaglandin.

Endometriosis is the most common medical disorder that causes secondary dysmenorrhea. Endometrial tissue implants outside the uterus in this syndrome. Pelvic discomfort, infection, and internal bleeding are common symptoms of endometriosis.

Secondary dysmenorrhea can also result from the following other causes:

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Uterine fibroids

Abnormal pregnancy

Tumors, infections, or polyps in the pelvis

Lower abdominal cramping

Lower abdominal pain

Lower back discomfort

Discomfort that extends down the legs

Nausea

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Weakness and fatigue

Losing consciousness

Headaches

Your doctor will review your medical history, do a pelvic exam, and perform a comprehensive physical examination in order to identify dysmenorrhea. Additional tests include:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): In this test, detailed images of the body's organs and structures are created using large magnets, radiofrequency technology, and a computer.

Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves are used in this examination to visualize internal organs.

Laparoscopy: A laparoscope is used in this simple surgery. This is a little tube that has a light and a lens on it. It is placed into an abdominal wall incision. The laparoscope allows the physician to view into the belly and pelvis, where abnormal growths are frequently visible.

Hysteroscopy: This is the visual examination of the uterus' interior and the cervix's canal. It makes use of a hysteroscope, a viewing device that is passed via the vagina.

Your healthcare professional will decide on a specific dysmenorrhea treatment plan depending on:

Your medical history, age, and general health

The severity of the illness

The primary or secondary cause of the disease

Your ability to tolerate particular drugs, treatments, or procedures

Your opinion or choice

Additionally, your physician may recommend the following drugs:

NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

Other pain medications

Sometimes doctors will prescribe antidepressants to assist reduce some of the mood fluctuations linked to PMS.

It's common to experience mild aches and pains during menstruation. You don't have to suffer in silence if you have dysmenorrhea, which is an excruciatingly painful menstruation. There are methods for reducing the discomfort of menstrual cramps. In order for your healthcare practitioner to assist you, make sure you discuss painful periods with them.