Many women experience painful periods beginning in their teen years. Pain can vary in intensity, but it rarely exceeds mild. However, they can occasionally have a substantial influence on quality of life or even be an indication of a medical issue. Therefore, it’s crucial to look after them.

So why do some women get painful periods? How may menstruation pain be relieved? And when should you consult?

Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods

Every second woman experiences unpleasant menstruation (dysmenorrhea). These symptoms, which radiate to the lower abdomen and/or back, first appear in adolescence or later (in adulthood). They may also indicate the existence of an underlying ailment if they are typically benign.

Which signs?

Regular menstrual discomfort manifests just before or during menstruation and is associated with the menstrual cycle.

Usually lasting one to two days, but occasionally lasting longer. The discomfort is typically moderate at the start of bleeding.

Then, they usually steadily get worse (the heavier the bleeding, the greater the pain). They then abruptly vanish till the following period.

If the lower abdomen is the primary location of the aches, they may also radiate to the back (towards the kidneys) and occasionally to the thighs.

Menstrual pain can result in basic discomfort or discomfort, stiffness or tension in the lower abdomen, depending on how severe it is. Additionally, they may cause the appearance of actual cramps or excruciating spasms.

Irritability, throbbing headaches, swollen and painful breasts, bloating, heavy and swollen legs… A few days prior to the period, additional symptoms could develop. Additionally called premenstrual syndrome. Along with pain, migraines, nauseousness, vomiting, and diarrhea during the menstrual cycle are possible side effects. Malaise and exhaustion may also manifest.

On a daily basis, these symptoms can be quite disabling. Therefore, learning how to manage menstrual discomfort is essential with the help of Holief’s cramp cream with menthol.

Why does my period sometimes hurt?

Primary dysmenorrhea is a type of menstrual pain that can begin in adolescence and continue into adulthood (secondary dysmenorrhea).

In adolescence

– These pains are usually not serious when they appear in adolescence, in the months after the first menstruation.

– They are related to very frequent painful menses (between 50 and 70 percent of adolescent girls suffer from them), which are uterine contractions caused by an excess of prostaglandins in the body.

– The endometrium, which lines the uterus, thickens before ovulation to make room for the fertilized egg.

The endometrium is evacuated from the uterus if there is no fertilization (according to the “rules”, this is a hemorrhage). The endometrium secretes prostaglandins to facilitate its evacuation (which cause uterine contractions).

The uterine muscle contracts with excessive frequency when these chemicals are released in excess. The small blood arteries that supply it constrict, depriving the muscles of oxygen. The discomfort associated with menstruation is caused by this hypoxia.

Smoking, early onset of menstruation, the absence of a previous pregnancy or a family history of this condition may promote these menstrual cramps. They often disappear in adulthood or after the first pregnancy. If they continue to worsen over time, advice should be sought. Indeed, menstrual cramps in adolescents may be due to other factors (adolescent endometriosis, malformation of the vagina or uterus, hormonal disorders, etc.).

Adulthood

Menstrual discomfort of later onset may indicate the presence of a disease. For example, they may be the result of:

Endometriosis: in this chronic, inflammatory disease, the endometrium invades other organs and expands outside the uterine cavity. Often, the diagnosis is made too late. However, it can hinder reproduction, in addition to generating bothersome symptoms;

Adenomyosis: the discomfort is caused by fragments of endometrium residing in the uterine muscle (myometrium);

Uterine myoma is a benign tumor that grows in the uterine muscle and usually appears by accident. If left untreated, the myoma can develop and cause certain consequences;

Uterine polyps: whether single or numerous, these benign tumors form in the uterine or cervical lining. In addition, polyps should be treated to avoid possible consequences.

Menstrual discomfort in adult women may also be due to incorrect insertion of the copper IUD or switching from one method of contraception to another. In case of secondary dysmenorrhea, other symptoms should raise the alarm (heavy periods, pain between periods, pain during intercourse, etc.)

How can menstrual pain be relieved?

Menstrual pain can be especially intense and disabling on a daily basis, although it usually persists benignly and without problems. So how to get rid of menstrual pain – can period discomfort be eliminated without medication, and what situations require our advice?

How can menstruating women reduce stomach pain?

– Natural methods to relieve menstrual pain include the following:

– Rest as much as you can before and during your period;

– Practice a sport or low-intensity physical activity (yoga, walking, swimming, etc.);

– Avoid smoking, caffeine and alcohol before and during your period;

– Heat (use a hot water bottle on the abdomen or a warm bath or shower to soothe the lower abdomen and lower back). You can accompany this method with a massage with some essential oil or some specialized cream that relaxes the cramps.