Intimate Health Care For Women |
Menstrual Cramps - medically, they're known as a condition called "dysmenorrhea". Greek for painful menstruation, dysmenorrhea is classified as primary (from the beginning and usually lifelong) or secondary (due to some physical cause and usually of later onset). The uterus is a muscle. Like all muscles, it contracts and relaxes. Most uterine contractions are never noticed, but strong ones are painful. During strong contractions, the uterus may contract too strongly or too frequently, causing the blood supply to the uterus to be temporarily cut off. This deprives the muscle of oxygen, causing pain. In addition to painful uterine cramping with menses, women with dysmenorrhea may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, weakness, and/or fainting. Symptoms may vary in severity from cycle to cycle, but generally continue throughout the reproductive years. Dysmenorrhea can be an incapacitating problem, causing significant disruption in a woman's life each month. PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA Primary dysmenorrhea is the more common type of dysmenorrhea and is due to the production of prostaglandins. These are natural substances made by cells in the inner lining of the uterus and other parts of the body. The prostaglandins made in the uterus make the uterine muscles contract and help the uterus to shed the lining that has built up during the menstrual cycle. If excessive prostaglandins are produced, the woman may have excessive pain or dysmenorrhea with her menstrual cycle. Prostaglandins can also cause headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Therapies for primary dysmenorrhea include: Rest Heating pad to the lower abdomen or back Nutrition therapy including a well balanced diet Adequate calcium- 1000mg per day Vitamin B6 - 50 to 100 mg day Exercise Medication for Menstrual Cramps Medication for dysmenorrhea may involve two complementary strategies: decreasing prostaglandin production and hormonal alteration. Drugs to Decrease Prostaglandin Production Prostaglandin production can be decreased with over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, or similar drugs that are stronger and available only by prescription. These drugs are generally well tolerated, although they can upset the stomach and are best taken with a small amount of food. Contraindications to the use of NSAIDs include pregnancy, ulcers, asthma and known allergy to this type of drug. NSAIDs are usually started with the onset of menstruation, although some women respond better if the medication is started 1-3 days prior to the onset of menstruation. It is sometimes necessary to take one of several NSAIDs until the one with the maximum efficacy for an individual woman is found. Drugs To Change Your Hormone Status Hormonal alteration of the menstrual cycle is usually accomplished by taking oral contraceptives (OC). OC's prevent ovulation, decrease the thickness of the uterine lining (endometrium) and as a result, fewer prostaglandins are made. The birth control shot, Depo-Provera®, 150 mg. every 10-12 weeks, can also be used to accomplish the same purpose. If Depo-Provera® is used to alter the hormones, it is extremely important that the woman obtain an adequate daily intake of calcium (1000 mg.). SECONDARY DYSMENORRHEA Secondary dysmenorrhea is defined as menstrual pain due to pelvic pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea usually occurs after a woman has had normal menstrual periods for some time. It differs from primary dysmenorrhea in that the pain is caused by an abnormality or disease of the uterus, tubes or ovaries. The pain may be similar to menstrual cramps, but often lasts longer than the menses, and may also occur at other times of the month. The most common causes are infection, adenomyosis (benign growths in the uterine walls), endometriosis (tissue from the lining of the uterus implants outside the uterus) and adhesions (scarring or adherence of two surfaces). Treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea depends on finding the cause and treating it appropriately. Medical and/or surgical treatment may be needed. FINDING THE CAUSE Is your menstrual pain caused by normal prostaglandins (primary dysmenorrhea), or an acquired problem requiring treatment (secondary dysmenorrhea)? Before your health care provider can answer this question, he or she may need to ask many questions focusing on your menstrual cycle and reproductive history, do a pelvic exam and sometimes order special tests. From: McKinley Health Center |
When Each Month Brings You Pain Understanding Menstrual Cramps |
