Dysmenorrhea Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Dysmenorrhea Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea is abdominal pain that usually occurs at the start of menstruation. For some women, complaints of abdominal pain are so disturbing that it interferes with activities.

In young women, there is no specific cause of menstrual pain. However, complaints of menstrual pain can be a sign of various disorders of the female organs, otherwise known as secondary dysmenorrhea.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain caused by pelvic anatomical disorders, which consist of:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Ovarian cysts and tumors
• Stenosis cervix
• Adenomyosis
• Fibroids
• Uterine polyps
• Intrauterine adhesions
• Congenital disorders

In most cases of dysmenorrhea, no clear cause of pain during menstruation is found. This is what is called primary dysmenorrhea. In primary dysmenorrhea, there is an increase in prostaglandin substances which are thought to play a role in complaints of abdominal pain.

Therefore, administering drugs to suppress prostaglandins can reduce the symptoms of abdominal pain experienced.

Symptoms

The main symptom of menstrual pain is pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis. Pain can radiate to the thighs and lower back. The pain is described as a throbbing and cramping sensation in the lower abdomen.

Symptoms of this abdominal pain can last for three to five days and are accompanied by back pain, diarrhea or nausea, to headaches.

A different pattern is observed in menstrual pain which includes secondary dysmenorrhea, where the pain is not limited to the time of menstruation. Other additional symptoms of menstrual pain that can be complained of are a feeling of a full stomach, a heavy pelvis and spinal pain.

Some of the symptoms of menstrual pain that lead to secondary dysmenorrhea are:

• Dysmenorrhea beginning at age 20 or 30, present after past painless menstrual periods.
• Heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Dysmenorrhea that occurs in the first or second cycle after the first menstruation. This can indicate a disturbance in the menstrual pathway
• Disorders of the pelvis during a physical examination by a doctor
• Unresponsive to administration of painkillers.
• There is infertility
• Pain during intercourse
• Vaginal discharge

Diagnosis

There is no specific examination to diagnose menstrual pain which includes primary dysmenorrhea. Diagnosis is usually made based on the symptoms shown by the patient.

Several laboratory tests can be performed to look for causes of menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea. Some of these checks include:

• General check-up
• Examination to look for possible sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea (gonorrhea) and chlamydia (burning sensation when urinating).
• Urinalysis, which is a test performed on urine samples to determine health status.

Ultrasound examination can also be done to see the presence of endometriosis which can also be a cause of abdominal pain as well. Usually what is seen is a complex mass in the endometrium.

This examination is also useful for showing various disorders such as ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus), ovarian cysts, fibroids (abnormal cell growth in the uterus) and intrauterine contraceptives.

In certain circumstances, a laparoscopic examination may be considered to demonstrate the anatomical structure of the uterus.

Treatment

Treatment of menstrual pain which includes primary dysmenorrhea is by administering drugs to reduce abdominal pain or cramps. Until now, the treatment of menstrual pain is the most effective way to reduce pain due to dysmenorrhea.

Medications that target prostaglandins are the most commonly used menstrual pain medications. Administering pain-reducing drugs such as non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs is one of the most commonly used therapies.

However, administration of this drug is better avoided in people with kidney disorders, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), bleeding disorders or patients who are allergic to these drugs.

Handling at Home

If you experience menstrual pain symptoms, there are several things you can do for first aid at home. Try to lie down and calm your mind.

Prepare a cup of warm tea and you can try over-the-counter pain relievers. Use a heating pad and place it on your stomach to reduce your stomach pain.

Prevention