MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
(DYSMENORRHEA)
Condition
More than half of the women who menstruate have painful periods (dysmenorrhea). There are two types of dysmenorrhea, primary and secondary. With the primary type, you get cramps only because you are having your period. This kind begins when you first start having periods and gets a little better as you get older. If you have a baby, primary dysmenorrheal usually goes away after delivery. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by some kind of disease and comes on later in life. The pain usually starts two or three days before your period starts and lasts two or three days after it ends.
The pain of menstrual cramps ranges from mild to severe enough to affect work, school and activities of daily life. Associated symptoms may include:
- Nausea and or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Back pain and pain in the inner, upper thighs.
Causes
The main cause of primary dysmenorrhea is related to chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause the muscles of the uterus to contract, which cuts off oxygen to the muscle fibers causing the cramps.
With secondary dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps are caused by something else such as:
- Endometriosis, which occurs when tissue like that lining the uterus grows outside the uterus
- Adenomysosis, a form of endometriosis in which the abnormal tissue is found within the muscle wall of the uterus
- Fibroid tumors, benign growths within the muscle wall of the uterus
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, infection of the upper reproductive tract that may involve the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries
- Ovarian cysts
- Having an intrauterine device (IUD), a birth control device that is inserted into the uterus.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
Call 911 Right Now (you may need an ambulance) If
- You have severe menstrual cramps and pass out.
Call Your Doctor Right Away (day or night) If
- You have severe menstrual cramps and are bleeding much more than you usually do with your period.
- You have menstrual cramps along with a fever of 100 degrees F or higher.
- The cramps are causing so much pain that you need a prescription for pain pills now.
Call Your Doctor During Regular Office Hours If
- You need a refill on the medicine (pain pills, birth control pills or hormones) you are taking for your cramps.
- You start having cramps with your menstrual periods and you did not have pain in the past.
- You want to make an appointment to find out why you are having menstrual cramps.
- Your cramps continue after your period is over.
- Since you started to have cramps with your periods, you began to have pain with intercourse.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
- Take nonprescription pain medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or over-the-counter pills such as Midol or Pamprin meant to relieve menstrual symptoms. Take aspirin for pain only if you do not have heavy bleeding with your period because aspirin can make bleeding worse.
- To relieve cramps, try soaking in a hot bath or applying a heating pad or warm compress to your lower abdomen.
- Exercising (walking, jogging, swimming) regularly usually helps cramps.
- When you have cramps, try doing relaxation exercises like yoga and meditation.
- Not getting proper rest or enough sleep may make cramps worse.
- Having an orgasm may help get rid of the cramps.
- Some women find acupuncture relieves the pain of menstrual cramps.
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for a day or so before your period starts may impede the production of prostaglandins, the chemicals that cause the cramps of primary dysmenorhhea.
For More Information Click on the Links Below
- The National Women's Health Information Center Menstrual Cramps
- American Academy of Family Physicians Menstrual Cramps
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Patient Education Pamphlet, APO46, 1999, Gynecologic Problems, Dysmanorrhea.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Precis V 1994, Page 376; Prostaglandins.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin, Number 51, March 2004; Chronic Pelvic Pain.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new healthcare information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional