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What are painful periods?
Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that happens as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Many women have painful periods, also called dysmenorrhea. The pain is most often menstrual cramps, which are a throbbing, cramping pain in your lower abdomen. You may also have other symptoms, such as lower back pain, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. Period pain is not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS causes many different symptoms, including weight gain, bloating, irritability, and fatigue. PMS often starts one to two weeks before your period starts.
What causes painful periods?There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Each type has different causes.
Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common kind of period pain. It is period pain that is not caused by another condition. The cause is usually having too many prostaglandins, which are chemicals that your uterus makes. These chemicals make the muscles of your uterus tighten and relax, and this causes the cramps.
The pain can start a day or two before your period. It normally lasts for a few days, though in some women it can last longer.
You usually first start having period pain when you are younger, just after you begin getting periods. Often, as you get older, you have less pain. The pain may also get better after you have given birth.
Secondary dysmenorrhea often starts later in life. It is caused by conditions that affect your uterus or other reproductive organs, such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. This kind of pain often gets worse over time. It may begin before your period starts and continue after your period ends.
What can I do about period pain?To help ease your period pain, you can try:
- Using a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower abdomen
- Getting some exercise
- Taking a hot bath
- Doing relaxation techniques, including yoga and meditation
You might also try taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. Besides relieving pain, NSAIDs reduce the amount of prostaglandins that your uterus makes and lessen their effects. This helps to lessen the cramps. You can take NSAIDs when you first have symptoms, or when your period starts. You can keep taking them for a few days. You should not take NSAIDS if you have ulcers or other stomach problems, bleeding problems, or liver disease. You should also not take them if you are allergic to aspirin. Always check with your health care provider if you are not sure whether or not you should take NSAIDs.
It may also help to get enough rest and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
When should I get medical help for my period pain?For many women, some pain during your period is normal. However, you should contact your health care provider if:
- NSAIDs and self-care measures don't help, and the pain interferes with your life
- Your cramps suddenly get worse
- You are over 25 and you get severe cramps for the first time
- You have a fever with your period pain
- You have the pain even when you are not getting your period
To diagnose severe period pain, your health care provider will ask you about your medical history and do a pelvic exam. You may also have an ultrasound or other imaging test. If your health care provider thinks you have secondary dysmenorrhea, you might have laparoscopy. It is a surgery that that lets your health care provider look inside your body.
What are treatments for severe period pain?If your period pain is primary dysmenorrhea and you need medical treatment, your health care provider might suggest using hormonal birth control, such as the pill, patch, ring, or IUD. Another treatment option might be prescription pain relievers.
If you have secondary dysmenorrhea, your treatment depends upon the condition that is causing the problem. In some cases, you may need surgery.
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- Adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are already treated with pioglitazone and metformin or who have inadequate glycemic control on pioglitazone or metformin alone.
- Adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are already treated with a pioglitazone and metformin.
- To reduce gastrointestinal side effects administer with a meal; as starting dose administer once daily with evening meal.
- In combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of hiv-1 infection in treatment-naive adult patients with hiv-1 rna less than or equal to 100,000 at the start of therapy.
- In combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of hiv-1 infection in treatment-naive patients with hiv-1 rna less than or equal to 100,000 at the start of thearpy.
- In combination with other antiretroviral agents, is indicated for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (hiv-1) infection in antiretroviral treatment-naive adult patients, as set forth in the labeling, including i&u section.
BarrApr 14, 2005
LannettJun 16, 2017
Lupin LtdMar 20, 2014
Sun Pharma GlobalApr 23, 2014
WockhardtApr 28, 1992
- A method of reducing the capacity of extended release nicotinic acid to provoke a flushing reaction by pretreating an individual with a flush inhibiting agent prior to the administration of the extended release nicotinic acid.
- Method of treating hyperlipidemia with nicotinic acid by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
- Reduction in elevated tc and ldl-c by dosing once per day in the evening or at night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibitin agent such as aspirin.
- Reduction in elevated tc and ldl-c by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
- Reduction in risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction by dosing once per day in the evening or a t night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibitin agent such as aspirin.
- Reduction in risk of recurrent nonfatal myocardial infarction by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
- Reduction in tg by dosing once per day in the evening or at night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibiting agent such as aspirin.
- Reduction in tg by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
- Treatment of primary and mixed dyslipidemia by dosing once per day in the evening or at night, with pretreatment with a flush inhibiting agent such as aspirin.
- Treatment of primary and mixed dyslipidemia by dosing once per day in the evening or at night.
Felter's Materia Medica on Start
The dried flower-heads of Arnica montana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A perennial of Siberia and the cooler parts of Europe; also found in... / ... and becomes weak and shallow when the patient drops into sleep; or when the sleeper awakens with a start on account of dyspnoea when automatic respiratory action alone is depended upon. Such a state ...1
The dry, ripe seeds of Strychnos Nux vomica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Loganiacae). According to the U. S. P. it should contain at least 2.5 per cent of... / ...a sense of impending suffocation. Tremors of the whole body are observed. Suddenly there is violent starting of the muscles, and the ensuing convulsions are of such great violence as to throw the pati... / ...and the heart from cramp asphyxia. The body stiffens after death and this rigidity has been known to persist for months. The smallest doses 1
The fresh leaves of Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze (Rhus radicans, Linné, Rhus Toxicodendron, Linné) (Nat. Ord. Anacardiaceae) A common... / ...harp pulse, sometimes wiry, sometimes vibratile; great restlessness with or without vomiting; child starts from sleep with a shrill cry as if from fright; tongue red and irritable, exhibiting red spot... / ...dried wood is said to retain it. It has been named toxicodendrol, and is asserted to be in reality the only tangible substance found thus 1
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Start
Perform artificial respiration, persisting in the effort at least half an hour, alternating the Sylvester movements with tongue trac tion as recommended by Laborde. Intravenous injection of ammonia may start heart’s action.2
References
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.