Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pains or period pains are the cramping pains a woman feels just before her period is due and in the first couple of days of having her period. The majority of women suffer with menstrual pains and cramps but it is more severe in some women than in others. It is thought that period pain can be worse in women that started their periods very young (younger than 11) and that obesity, smoking and drinking can also contribute to this. Other factors that are associated with menstrual pain are fibroids (non-cancerous growths on the uterus), abnormal pregnancies, such as an ectopic pregnancy, cysts, infection of the reproductive orders or pelvic inflammatory disease as well as ovarian cysts. If a woman has always experienced pains since she started her period then this pain is referred to as primary dysmennorhea and if the cramps have been brought on by another condition, such as the cysts, it is known as secondary dysmennorhea.

SYMPTOMS OF MENSTRUAL PAIN

The most common symptom of menstrual pain is the cramping pain in the lower abdomen but more severe symptoms can include, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain, weakness and tiredness, diarrhea, fainting spells as well as headaches and moodiness.

Treatments

Over-The-Counter Medicines

Nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs also known as NSAIDs, help menstrual pains and cramps by blocking prostaglandin production. These medicines can be ibuprofen like Advil and Motrin, or naproxen like Aleve. If you struggle with pain, your doctor may prescribe a heavier pain reliever such as mefenamic acid or advise you to go for co-codamol which is a mixture of codeine phosphate and paracetamol for when regular anti-inflammatories do not work. It’s advised to take these NSAIDs as soon as you feel the symptoms of your period and for about two or three days after or until your symptoms are gone. They can help to control the pain of menstrual cramps.

Hormonal Birth Control

Taking oral birth control can help reduce the pain from menstrual cramps. This can happen because the combined birth control pills are used to prevent ovulation meaning your eggs stay in your ovaries, therefore they also reduce the pain of your menstruation during ovulation. There are other forms beside the pill such as injection, skin patch, implant, ring or intrauterine device. Combination pills are the most commonly used oral contraception as they are linked to lighter, and less-painful periods. You can also control your period more with the pill, by knowing when it’s coming and preparing for it. You can buy the pill over the counter or get it from your doctor. Some combination pills include:

Alesse
Estrostep
Levlite
Nordette
Ortho Tri-Cyclen and many more
To reduce period to a few times a year or less: Lybrel, Seasonale, Jolessa or Qualsense.

Surgery

Sometimes menstrual cramps can be so unbearable due to a disorder that can make it much worse. Disorders such as endometriosis or fibroids can be corrected by surgery and help with your menstrual symptoms. This is mainly done by laparoscopic surgery to remove any problems. Another option might be to remove your uterus altogether if nothing you try can ease your symptoms and you aren’t planning on having children.

Things to do at Home

Exercise — to help each menstrual cramps, exercise and physical activity can help. This includes sex.
Heat — have a hot bath, hot water bottle, pad or patch on your lower abdomen or back reduces pain in those areas.
Dietary supplements — vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-1, vitamin B-6 and magnesium can help to reduce menstrual pain
Stress relief — stress might be a cause of menstrual cramps and how bad they are

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