Having painful periods is a condition called dysmenorrhea. Painful periods can be classified into two types :. A variety of painful symptoms may accompany menstrual periods. Sometimes symptoms can occur shortly before your period actually starts. They typically taper off during the first few days of your period.
Cramps are caused by the hormone-like lipids called prostaglandins that make your uterus contract to help get rid of its lining. Prostaglandins are also involved in the inflammation and pain responses. They reside in the uterine lining and are also released from this lining. Once released, they increase the force of the contractions during the first couple days of your period.
The higher the level of prostaglandins, the more severe the cramping is. Very high levels can also cause nausea and diarrhea. As the lining is shed, the levels of prostaglandins in your body is lowered. This is why cramps typically subside after the first couple of days of your period. Pain relievers like ibuprofen Advil can help relieve cramps. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that help regulate the menstrual cycle. They can also affect chemicals in the brain that are associated with headaches.
The uterine lining, also known as the endometrium, grows inside the uterus. But if you have endometriosis, your endometrium grows outside the uterus, usually in other parts of your reproductive organs like the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
When your body tries to shed uterine tissue during your period, the endometrium growing outside the uterus has nowhere to go. It can become trapped in the body. This can cause painful cramps, heavy bleeding, irritation and inflammation.
Luckily, most cases of endometriosis can be well managed with medicines and procedures. This is a treatable condition where the endometrium grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. The endometrium can affect the entire uterus muscle, but it usually affects one spot. Adenomyosis is a benign condition, but it can cause severe cramps. Dealing with cramps every month can be as frustrating as it is painful. Luckily, there are a many remedies that might help you relieve period cramps.
Bloating can cause discomfort and make menstrual cramps worse. Drinking water can reduce bloating during your period and alleviate some of the pain it causes. Also, drinking hot water can increase blood flow throughout your body and relax your muscles. This can lessen cramps caused by uterine contractions. Herbal teas have anti-inflammatory properties and antispasmodic compounds that can reduce the muscle spasms in the uterus that cause cramping. Drinking chamomile, fennel or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to relieve menstrual cramps.
Plus, herbal teas can have other benefits like stress relief and helping with insomnia. Some foods can offer natural relief for cramps and they taste great. Anti-inflammatory foods can help promote blood flow and relax your uterus. Try eating berries, tomatoes, pineapples and spices like turmeric, ginger or garlic.
Many women have menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, menstrual cramps can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month. Conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids can cause menstrual cramps. Treating the cause is key to reducing the pain.
Menstrual cramps that aren't caused by another condition tend to lessen with age and often improve after giving birth.
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormonelike substances prostaglandins involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the female reproductive tract that is most commonly caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections. Left untreated, PID can cause inflammation, scarring, painful menstrual cramps, and infertility.
During menstruation , hormones influence the uterus and surrounding structures — including the scar tissue and adhesions — which can increase inflammation, bleeding, and pain," says Shilpi Agarwal, MD , a board-certified family medicine and integrative physician in Washington, DC, and a columnist for Everyday Health. Agarwal advises. In some cases, the uterus does not form correctly, which can cause infertility, period pain, and painful intercourse.
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, these cramps are caused by increased or imbalanced levels of prostaglandins — hormone-like fatty acids that stimulate the uterus to contract during the period. Changes in prostaglandin levels can cause more intense and frequent uterine contractions, compressing nearby blood vessels and cutting off oxygen to the uterus, thus causing painful cramps and discomfort.
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