“Girls suffer from PMS, periods, cramps, childbirth, shaving, plucking, makeup dilemmas and high heels. Guys just complain.” – Anonymous
This quote sums up a woman’s life. Women go through many things and periods are a continuous pain – pun intended!
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for the painful cramps that may occur immediately before or during the menstrual period. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.
Primary dysmenorrhea is another name for common menstrual cramps. Cramps usually begin one or two years after a woman starts getting her periods. The pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen and back. These common cramps can start shortly before the onset of the period and continue for one or three days. These cramps become less painful as the age increases and it may stop completely after a woman has her first baby.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is a pain caused by a disorder in the woman’s reproductive organs. These cramps usually last longer than common menstrual cycle. If a woman has a problem in her reproductive organs, cramps will occur. If a woman suffers from endometriosis, when the tissue lining the uterus is found outside the uterus, cramps become severe. Also pelvic inflammatory disease cause menstrual cramps. It is an infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and it can spread to other reproductive organs. Stenosis or narrowing of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus also cause severe pain during menstruation. Tumors also known as fibroids or growths on the inner wall of the uterus lead to severe menstrual cramps.
Menstrual cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus. The uterus is a hollow pear shaped organ where a baby grows. The muscular walls of the uterus contract throughout the menstrual cycle. If the uterus contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels, cutting off oxygen supply to the muscle tissue of the uterus. Pain occurs when part of a muscle loses its supply of oxygen. Another reason for the menstrual cramp is the chemical called prostaglandins. This chemical is made from fat stored in cell membranes, and this causes inflammation. Prostaglandins also cause muscle contractions, blood vessel constriction, blood clotting and pain. Just before the periods begin, the endometrial cells that form the lining of the uterus make large amounts of prostaglandins. When the endometrial cells break down during menstruation, the prostaglandins are released. The prostaglandins constrict the blood vessels in the uterus and makes it contract. This causes painful cramps. Some prostaglandins enter the blood stream; this causes headache, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The amount of prostaglandins produced by the endometrial cells is higher in women with menstrual pain.
Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can decrease the menstrual flow, thus reducing menstrual pain. However these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have side effects on the body, so it is better to treat the pain naturally then depending on painkillers.You can consult a doctor before taking any pain killers during the menstrual cycle.Oral contraceptives lower the production of prostaglandins by inhibiting the growth of the endometrial cell layer. As a result, 90 percent of women who take oral contraceptives experience reduced menstrual pain.
In every monthly menstrual cycle, the amount of estrogens in a woman’s body rises and falls. Estrogens are female sex hormones that make cells in the body grow. It also thickens the lining of the uterus in anticipation of pregnancy. The estrogen level rise to a peak and then falls quickly at the time of ovulation. The level of estrogen rises again on the second half of the month and falls just before the next menstrual cycle. The uterus sheds its lining during a menstrual flow, accompanied by severe cramps.
[ Read: Home Remedies For Curing Stomach Bloating ]
Painkillers can reduce pain instantly; however they might cause side effects. The best way to reduce cramps is to exercise regularly. Those who exercise everyday have less cramp than those who don’t! Try to curb the pain naturally. These following remedies will help you get over the severe pains that interfere with your daily work. Next time you have your periods, you will be better prepared!
Let’s look at top 15 home remedies to fight pain and take control over your periods for some fun and frolic.
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