MENSTRUAL PAIN (DYSMENORRHEA)
“Dysmenorrhea” in medical terminology refers to painful menstruation.
Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaints encountered during menstruation. In more than half of menstruating women, there is a complaint of pain for 1-2 days every month.
There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
- Primary (or primary) dysmenorrhea
- Secondary (or secondary) dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is pain felt in the lower abdomen caused by uterine contractions during menstruation, known as “menstrual cramps.” Certain substances secreted from the uterus during menstruation cause uterine cramps.
In this case, the pain usually occurs with or just before the onset of menstruation. The pain is severe on the days of menstruation and typically lasts for 1-2 days. It often begins at the onset of menstruation and becomes less painful as age advances. Improvement in pain may be seen after childbirth.
In the case of secondary dysmenorrhea, menstrual pains are caused by a condition related to the female reproductive organs. Unlike primary dysmenorrhea, the pain tends to worsen rather than improve over time.
The pain associated with menstrual cramps lasts longer than menstrual cramps and may even persist after the end of menstruation.
The main causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include:
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue lining the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium, is found outside the uterus. Painful menstrual periods and pelvic pain are common symptoms of endometriosis.
- Adenomyosis: Similar to endometriosis, adenomyosis is the presence of endometrial tissue, which lines the inside of the uterus, within the muscular wall of the uterus. Pain during menstruation and increased menstrual bleeding are common symptoms of adenomyosis.
- Fibroids: Fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that develop in the uterus and originate from the uterine myometrium. They can cause painful menstrual periods.
If You Have Pain During Menstruation:
Your symptoms and medical history should be carefully reviewed, and a gynecological examination should be performed first.
In cases where a gynecological examination and ultrasound imaging are not sufficient, laparoscopy (looking into the abdomen with cameras) may be planned for diagnostic purposes.
The preferred medications for the treatment of painful menstrual periods are pain relievers and birth control pills. Additionally, lifestyle changes, exercise, and healthy eating may contribute to the improvement of your pain.
In cases where medication is not effective, treatment should be directed at the underlying cause, and surgery may be necessary in some cases.
