Menstrual Cramps 0
The Mechanism of Menstrual Cramp:
The woman reproductive organs after puberty are set into an automation mode by alternating action of female hormones to be ready for the basic functions of procreation. In the ovaries one egg is matured every month under the influence of estrogen and is released to meet sperm in the fallopian tube of uterus.
The uterus wall gets thickened with high vascular presence under the influence of progesterone for implantation of fertilized egg. When the uterus fails to receive fertilized egg under the second phase, progesterone levels fall and uterus wall degenerates and is ready to be expelled.
The Expulsion of Uterus wall comprises the menstrual flow. In young women this last phase of the cycle induces lot of discomfort and pain in lower abdomen and pelvic region called Menstrual Cramp.
Pain before Menstrual Onset:
More than 50 % teen aged and young women suffer every month, pain in the pelvic region just before on set of menstruation. It was a major problem not understood properly. It was considered as a minor temporary ailment having psychological origin and treatment was confined to administration of analgesics with tranquilizers only, which gets alright after cessation of menstrual flow.
Types of Menstrual Pain:
The women who have menstrual cramps have dys-menorrhea also. The condition is described primary dysmenorrhea because there is no abnormality of the reproductive organs. There is intense pain due to spasm in the muscles of the lower abdomen a day or two before the onset of menstruation lasting for about 3 days.
As the age advances the intensity is reduced and vanishes after first child birth. The pain felt is severe in 10 % of such women to the extent they have to keep them away from the schedule for 2 to 3 days. The condition can be so severe there is difficulty in normal walking. There is contraction of the muscles similar to child birth.
In some women there is undefined pain in the lower back region usually in older women having got many pregnancies.
The menstrual pain can be in some rare women due to presence of fibroids, because of a pathological abnormality it is termed Secondary dysmenorrhea accompanied pelvic inflammation, presence of uterine fibroids, uterine fibroids and adenomyosis.
Differential Symptoms:
In cases of primary dysmenorrheal there is sharp pain with back ache accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, bloating, weight gain, and breast tenderness.
Whereas Secondary dysmenorrhea include generalized pain in pelvic and back region, lower limbs, occurrence of spotting in between periods, frequent urination etc.
The pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea, are due to uterus contraction to push the menstrual blood having degenerated endometrial tissues. The cyclical hormonal changes taking place are responsible for the pain, which can make a worse situation if there is imbalance in the hormones secretion.
Presence of high levels of hormone like chemicals called prostaglandin, cause spasm of uterus, causing intense pain.
Presence of intra-uterine device a birth control implantation commonly called loop further increase the pain.
Treatment & Precautions:
Combination of simple analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents available at the medical store counter can be used during the period to relieve pain.
A warm bath is advised along with fomentation with hot water bottle over lower abdomen region.
Mild Exercises or an outdoor walk for 30 minutes morning and evening is helpful to cope with the situation better. If there is no relief consult your doctor: