What Sort of Pain is It?
What Causes It?
What You Can Do For Yourself
What Your Doctor Can Do For You
Could It Be Something Else?
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Middle Pain
What Sort Of Pain Is It?
You may feel no more than a passing discomfort from your period, or
you could be doubled up by it. Usually the pain comes in cramp-like spasms.
It could start in the lower abdomen, and may radiate up the spine and down
the legs, or center in your lower back. If you get it really badly you
may feel dizzy or nauseous, and get diarrhea or vomit. If this happens
you should go and see your doctor. Most women find the pain usually comes
on a few hours before their periods start and begins to ease once the flow
begins. But in a few, pain continues into the second and even the third
day of their period.
What Causes It?
Each month the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) builds up in
preparation for a possible pregnancy. If a pregnancy occurs, the fertilized
egg attaches itself to the lining to be nourished as it develops into a
baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining is not needed. It breaks
down and hormones called prostaglandins are released. These trigger the
muscles of the uterus to contract and squeeze the lining out. The muscles
are the same ones that push a baby out during childbirth, so they are very
strong. Some women may have higher levels of prostaglandins and this is
thought to be what causes painful muscle spasms.
What You Can Do For Yourself
There are many ways to help relieve menstrual cramps. The trick is
to find one that works for you. Lie down if possible at the first sign
of pain, and place a warm heating pad on your abdomen.
A relaxing, warm bath may also help. Seek advice from your pharmacist about
suitable painkillers. Over the counter medications may be very helpful.
For maximum relief, take painkillers before the pain gets too bad. Massage
can ease menstrual cramps. Gently rub your abdomen, or ask your partner
to massage your back. Exercise routines, practiced throughout your cycle,
but particularly a few days before the onset of your period may help to
reduce pain by lowering your levels of prostaglandins. Exercise also helps
to keep the blood flowing in your pelvis, easing that heavy, bloated feeling.
Workouts that stretch your body--cycling with your legs up in the air,
for example--are best.
What Your Doctor Can Do For You
Hormone treatments: Women who do not ovulate, that is produce a mature
egg each month, will rarely have menstrual cramps. Your doctor may prescribe
a hormone treatment to stop ovulation.
The birth control pill is often used for this purpose. Anti-prostaglandins: These are drugs that reduce the effect of prostaglandins and your doctor may prescribe them for you. Surgery: In the past, many women with menstrual problems had an operation known as a D & C (dilation and curettage) to remove some of the lining of the uterus. This particular operation is rarely performed today but when a woman's periods are very heavy as well as painful, her doctor may recommend its modern equivalent, endometrial ablation, which involves treatment with a laser.
Could It Be Something Else?
Menstrual cramps are sometimes caused, or made worse, by other conditions.
This is known as secondary dysmenorrhea. If you suddenly start to
experience more pain than usual or notice a change in your periods, you
should contact your doctor. Older women in particular should consult their
doctors if their pain does not respond to treatment.
Endometriosis
occurs when cells from the uterine lining escape into other areas of
the body where they cause irritation and pain.
Symptoms: Sharp abdominal pains as well as menstrual cramps;
painful sexual intercourse.
Treatment: Hormone treatment is usual although your doctor may
recommend surgery in severe cases.
Fibroids Are Non-Cancerous Growths
Inside The Uterus.
Symptoms: Dull pain in the abdomen; swollen stomach; heavy and
painful periods. Treatment: Depends on where the fibroids are and
how big they are. Sometimes none is needed. Fibroids grow in response to
the hormone estrogen, and when this hormone decreases after menopause the
fibroids often shrink and practically disappear. Removal of the fibroids
or a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) may be considered if
the symptoms are severe.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
refers to long-term inflammation of any of the pelvic organs, usually
caused by infection.
Symptoms: Painful intercourse; foul-smelling vaginal discharge;
heavy and painful periods.
Treatment: Usually treated with antibiotics.
It is not possible for you to diagnose conditions like these yourself, so see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms. You could be referred to a hospital for a laparoscopy. This involves making a small incision in the abdomen and passing a tiny camera through it that is attached to a viewing tube. The doctor can then look around the pelvis to see what, if anything, is wrong.
Middle Pain
is experienced by a few women about half way through their menstrual
cycle-usually 12-16 days after a period. The pain in one-sided and sharp,
low down in the abdomen. It may last just a few minutes, or rarely several
hours. The pain is caused by the egg bursting out of the ovary. If necessary,
a mild painkiller may help.