Painful menstruation is a condition that affects many women. If you experience cramping pains in your lower abdomen in the first days of your period, which are so severe that you are unable to function daily, then you also suffer from dysmenorrhea. This can be a cause for concern as painful periods can indicate several serious medical conditions.

Painful menstruation syndrome , colloquiallypainful menstruationis a group of symptoms occurring with the onset of menstrual bleeding, among which pain in the lower abdomen predominates. Such a condition is an indication for a visit to the gynecologist, because it can herald many diseases, especially if it occurs in women who have not yet complained of pain during menstruation.

Painful menstruation - causes

The cause of primary dysmenorrhea, which usually occurs 2-3 years after the first menstruation in your life, is most often the high level of prostaglandins - hormones that cause vasoconstriction and uterine ischemia, and thus - pain in them within.

In turn, the causes of secondary dysmenorrhea are various disease states. Depending on the accompanying symptoms, such as irregular, too long or too heavy periods, these may include: Asherman's syndrome, endometriosis or uterine fibroids. The causes of painful menstruation are also uterine developmental anomalies and hypothyroidism, and in women over 45 it is a signal of the approaching menopause.

Painful menstruation syndrome - symptoms

The dominant symptom in the course of the dysmenorrhea is very severe systolic pains in the lower abdomen, which radiate to the sacrum or upper thighs. They start shortly before or during your period and usually make it impossible to function normally. This pain may come on suddenly or gradually worsen.

In addition, there are:

  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • nausea
  • fatigue
  • nervousness
  • lack of appetite or excessive appetite

Painful menstruation - diagnosis

During a visit toat the gynecological office, the doctor conducts a physical examination. If secondary dysmenorrhea is suspected, your doctor may order a pelvic ultrasound, microbial smear, or even laparoscopy (examining the inside of the uterus with a laparoscope).

Painful menstruation syndrome - treatment

Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea involves the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are prostaglandin inhibitors, which means that they inhibit or slow the rise of these hormones. Unfortunately, their use is associated with side effects, so it is better to consult a doctor before using them. He may also propose hormonal contraception, which, by inhibiting ovulation, reduces pain. Treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea requires treating the underlying disease.

Category:

Female diseases