Period Pain – What Makes Them Dreadful?

Period pain is not a strange affair for women. Most women go through some degree of pain every month and they normally deal with it by taking pain killers, contraceptive pills or using a heating pad.

You may have pain before or during menstruation, and the intensity could range from mild to moderate to severe. Nature of pain also varies for each woman. It could be acute, dull, throbbing, shooting or nauseating. But are you aware of the root causes of these pains? It is vital to understand your body and to know what triggers these monthly cramps.

Period pain (dysmenorrhea) can occur due to normal body functioning during menstruation or is triggered by an obscure medical condition. The former is termed as primary dysmenorrhea and the latter as secondary dysmenorrhea which is a serious problem developed in women usually after teenage. Let us analyze the signs that reside in these conditions.

My monthly cramps are terrible. But my pills set it right.

Well, this is not surprising. Cramps are part and parcel of your menstrual cycle. Peaking levels of the hormone prostaglandin is the chief factor behind monthly cramps.

You need not tolerate pain however trivial or severe they are. Pop a prescribed pain-reliever pill or try out traditional methods to bust your cramps. The earlier you take the remedies the lesser will be your agony. Contraceptive pills are going up the purchase chart as well. They prevent ovulation and subtract the thickening of uterine walls which consequently drops prostaglandin production.

Period cramps that are a result of primary dysmenorrhea would either decrease in severity with age or vanish altogether over the course of time.

I undergo paralyzing pain in my abs even after periods, and it recurs during sex.

Now, this is a probable symptom of endometriosis. In this condition the uterine lining gets embedded in other parts of the body usually the ovaries, fallopian tube and cervix. These tissue bits growing outside bleeds along with your periods and develops scar tissue, inflammation and infertility. The pain tends to radiate to the whole of pelvic region, legs and back. It may co-exist with heavy bleeding as well.

During intercourse penetration of male genital irritates these sensitive growths and heightens pain. Endometriosis can be treated with medication or with surgery in critical cases.

I have consistent heavy flow during periods. And going for a change every one or two hours gets really annoying.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is the first sign that indicates the presence of fibroids. Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors developed in the uterus. They can be as tiny as an apple seed or as large as a melon.

Other symptoms to watch out for are abdominal pain, pressure in womb, frequent urination, constipation and discomfort during sex.

Heavy periods can lead to loss of iron and make you feel tired, dizzy and anemic. Fibroids can be easily eliminated through medication and seldom require surgery.

Endometriosis and fibroid are the most common causes of secondary dysmenorrhea. Other causes include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, adenomyosis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). So if you have debilitating pain, heavy bleeding or inconsistent symptoms during periods don’t hold off booking the next appointment with your gynecologist.