Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation): symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What is dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)?

Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is pain in the lower abdomen that appears both before and / or during menstruation. Dysmenorrhea pain usually starts from 1-2 days before menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea pain is usually dominated by throbbing cramps in the abdomen that radiate down the back to the thighs. Dysmenorrhea pain intensity can vary in each woman and each time.

Dysmenorrhea can sometimes feel very strong but brief, other times it can feel mild but last a long time.

If the dysmenorrhea pain is unbearable and is accompanied by bleeding that is more than normal, you need to be careful. The reason is, dysmenorrhea could indicate a problem in your reproductive organs.

For that, do not hesitate to see a doctor when the pain is no longer normal.

How common is menstrual pain?

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is very common before each menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea is generally normal and is part of the menstrual cycle that women experience each month.

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) can affect women at any age, from teenagers to elderly people who are still menstruating.

However, the severity of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) can be controlled by reducing the various risk factors, discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)?

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is usually characterized by various symptoms such as:

Throwing pain or cramping in the lower abdomen that can be quite severe
Pain that is not very sharp but continues without pause
Pain that radiates to the back and lower thigh
Feel nauseous
Diarrhea during menstruation
Headache or dizziness
Stomach feels like pressure

There may be signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult a doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is felt to interfere with daily activities or make you helpless, immediately consult a gynecologist. In addition, you also should not delay consulting a doctor if:

The pain gets worse after IUD insertion
Experiencing severe pain for more than 3 consecutive cycles
Menstrual blood clots and the flow is very heavy
Cramps accompanied by diarrhea and nausea
Sudden pelvic pain even though menstruation is over
The pain is suddenly worse than the previous one, it can hurt more or last longer
There are signs of infection such as fever, chills, and body aches during menstruation

Do not let the symptoms of dysmenorrhea persist for too long without being checked. The sooner dysmenorrhea is treated, the faster it will be treated if there are other problems that endanger the body.

Cause

What causes dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)?

Nearing and during menstruation, the uterus contracts to help shed its lining.

Prostaglandins or hormone-like substances in the body participate in triggering uterine muscle contractions so that pain is unavoidable.

When the level of prostaglandins in the blood is higher, the cramps you feel will usually get worse.

The reason is, contractions that are too strong can put pressure on the nearby blood vessels. When this happens, the blood vessels reduce the supply of oxygen to the uterus. This decrease in oxygen to the uterus can cause dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain.

In addition, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) can also be caused by various reproductive health problems such as:

Endometriosis

Conditions that can cause dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) are endometriosis. This is when the tissue lining the uterus grows on the outside. Not infrequently this tissue also appears in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other organs around it.

Uterine fibroids

The next condition that can also cause dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is uterine fibroids.

These are non-cancerous, fleshy growths on the uterine wall. In addition to making dysmenorrhea or pain during menstruation, fibroids also cause excessive bleeding during menstruation.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a condition when the tissue lining the uterus grows to the inside of the muscular wall of the uterus. This condition causes inflammation and pressure that triggers pain during menstruation or dysmenorrhea.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. This condition is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria that cause inflammation of the reproductive organs.

Cervical stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a condition when the cervix is so small that it blocks the flow of menstrual blood. As a result, the pressure in the uterus increases, causing pain.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)?

There are many factors that increase your risk of experiencing menstrual pain, including:

Are less than 20 years old
Experiencing early puberty, at age 11 or younger
Experiencing excessive menstruation
Experiencing irregular menstrual bleeding
Never given birth
Have a family history of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
Smoker

Having no risk factors does not mean you will be free from dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). Consult your doctor for more information about dysmenorrhea.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is menstrual pain diagnosed?

Before diagnosing dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), your doctor will ask your medical history first. Doctors also usually ask if there are family members who have dysmenorrhea.

Then, the doctor will perform a physical examination to prove the condition of dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), including examining the pelvis. A pelvic exam aims to check for various abnormalities in your reproductive system plus look for signs of infection.

If needed, the doctor will also perform various other imaging tests such as:

Ultrasound

A test that uses sound waves to create images of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

CT scan

Non-invasive imaging test that uses X-rays to see the inside of your body.

MRI

Non-invasive imaging tests that use magnetic fields and radio waves to look inside the body.

In addition, if the pain is caused by another problem, your doctor may also ask you to do a laparoscopy. This examination can help detect underlying problems such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or ectopic pregnancy.

What are the treatments for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)?

To treat dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain), the doctor will provide various treatment options according to the underlying cause, such as:

Pain relievers

Pain relievers are one of the effective drugs to treat dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) are dysmenorrhea drugs that are often prescribed by doctors. Usually the doctor will ask you to drink it the day before menstruation.

In addition, doctors can also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as mefenamic acid (Ponstel). However, if you cannot take an NSAID class of drugs, your doctor will replace it with acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to reduce dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).

Take pain relievers either before or on the first day when you begin to experience symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Drink it 2 to 3 days or until the dysmenorrhea symptoms disappear.

Antidepressant drugs

This medication is usually prescribed to help reduce mood or mood swings. If mood You often change quickly and make the day so uninspired, this remedy will be of great help.

However, of course the doctor will not prescribe it. Medication is only given if it is deemed necessary and safe for your body.

Hormonal contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives such as combined birth control pills can help reduce the severity of dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation.

These drugs work to thin the lining of the uterus, where prostaglandins are formed. With a thinner uterine lining, the symptoms of cramps and bleeding will be reduced.

In some cases, birth control pills can be taken continuously without a break for 4 to 7 days each month. But usually this makes menstruation stop.

Apart from birth control pills, other hormonal contraceptives that can be used are the hormonal IUD, vaginal ring, and birth control injections. All of these methods can help reduce cramps.

However, of course you should not use contraceptives carelessly without doctor's advice. The reason is, not all women can be compatible with hormonal contraceptives.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists

This medication is prescribed to relieve pain from endometriosis. Although effective, this drug also has various side effects such as bone loss, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.

Usually doctors will only give this drug for a short period of time. In addition, medications will not be prescribed to teenagers unless no other treatment has worked.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

The TENS device is usually connected to the skin using an adhesive patch with electrodes inside. The electrodes supply electric current to stimulate the nerves.

TENS works by increasing a person's pain threshold or threshold. You do this by stimulating the release of endorphins as a natural remedy to help relieve pain.

Operation

Surgery is usually a last resort if dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) is caused by problems with the reproductive organs.

Endometriosis or fibroids that have been severe can be treated with tissue removal to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

In addition, surgical removal of the uterus can also be a recommended option if the problem is not resolved by any method.

However, this procedure is usually only recommended for those who already have children and are not planning on adding to them.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)?

Here are a variety of lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation):

Sports

Doing light exercise such as taking a leisurely walk, for example, can help relieve symptoms for annoying menstruation. Do regular exercise both during and before menstruation. Moderate exercise can help relax muscles and increase blood supply to the pelvis.

During exercise, the body also releases endorphins. This hormone helps reduce pain and provides positive energy. That way, even the volatile mood problem can be resolved a little.

Hot compress

A hot water bottle wrapped in a washcloth and placed on your stomach can help relieve pain and cramps.

Apart from the bottle, you can also use a hot compress with a towel and place it on your stomach.

Taking a warm bath or shower also helps relieve dysmenorrhea and relaxes the body and mind.

Take supplements

Vitamin E supplements, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins B1, B6, and magnesium supplements can reduce dysmenorrhea.

Before buying, ask your doctor first whether this supplement is suitable for you or not.

Reduces stress

Stress can make dysmenorrhea worse. Therefore, it is important to make various efforts to reduce stress.

Do things you enjoy, such as watching movies, listening to music, or going out for a walk.

In order to avoid dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain, you can also reduce stress by meditating or doing yoga. When stress strikes, take a deep breath and then exhale slowly. Do this whenever you feel the burden on your thoughts is too heavy.

Acupuncture

Reporting from the pages of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, acupuncture can help relieve cramps and dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain).

Acupuncture is a procedure that involves inserting very thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body.

Drink water

Drinking water is important for you to prevent dehydration. Dehydration is one of the causes of dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain.

Make sure you are always adequately hydrated. In addition, you should reduce salt, which can increase the risk of dehydration.

Avoid smoking and alcohol

Cigarettes and alcohol can both worsen menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea. Cigarettes can make dysmenorrhea or menstruation more painful because the oxygen supply to the pelvis is reduced. While alcohol can change hormone levels that can cause dysmenorrhea symptoms to be more pronounced.