Dysmenorrhea, Painful Menstruation

Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen just before or during your menstrual period. Two types are primary or secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea usually begins one to two years after your first period and is rare after childbirth. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a specific disease or disorder and may appear years after regular menstruation. These include endometriosis (the cells from the lining of the uterus escape into the abdomen and cause pain and irritation), fibroids (non-cancer growths inside the uterus); or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (infection of the pelvic organs).

In primary dysmenorrhea, each month as the lining of the uterus (endometrium) breaks down. Hormones called prostaglandins are released. These cause the muscles of the uterus to contract and squeeze the lining out (menstruation). Some women have higher prostaglandin levels, therefore have more pain.

Dysmenorrhea may or may not be accompanied by Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). PMS occurs in the days just before your period and makes you feel irritable, depressed, and bloated.

Crampy pain or discomfort in the low abdomen, low back and into the inner thighs. May also cause nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea or fatigue.

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) such as ibuprofen and aspirin help relieve the pain and cramping. Also helpful may be a heating pad to your abdomen, a hot bath or shower, abdominal massage and plenty of rest.

If you take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, make sure you take it at the first sign of bleeding or cramping. If your periods are regular and you can predict when your period will start, begin taking the ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory one day before you expect your period. This will prevent cramping in many cases. Taking ibuprofen or naproxen with food or milk may help to reduce the possible side effects from these drugs of nausea and heartburn.

You may be prescribed vitamin-B supplements. These help relieve symptoms in some persons. Some herbal tea can reduce symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

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