Contents
Many women suffer from dysmenorrhea. Its symptoms are pain in the lower abdomen and ailments during menstruation, which prevent normal functioning. Sometimes dysmenorrhea can be a cause for concern because it signals an illness. We present the main symptoms of painful bleeding and methods of combating this problem.
Dysmenorrhea syndrome is colloquially called dysmenorrhea and it is a set of symptoms accompanying bleeding. The dominant symptom is severe pain in the lower abdomen, which even prevents normal functioning.
Such a condition is a signal to report your problem to the gynecologist, because it can mean serious diseases. Consultation with a doctor is recommended especially in the case of women who have not had this type of discomfort during menstruation so far.
Where does this pain come from? The main causes of painful menstruation
Primary dysmenorrhea usually occurs two or three years after the first menstrual period in life. Its cause is usually high levels of prostaglandins, i.e. hormones that cause uterine ischemia and vasoconstriction, and at the same time pain in their area.
Secondary dysmenorrhea has other causes. Most often, these are disease states that can be recognized by accompanying symptoms. It could be periods that have suddenly become:
- irregular,
- Too long,
- Too generous.
Such symptoms can mean endometriosis, uterine fibroids, Asherman’s syndrome. The cause of painful bleeding can also be hypothyroidism and uterine anomalies, and in women over 45, it usually means the approaching menopause.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Of course, the most characteristic and dominant symptom is cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the upper parts of the thighs and the sacral area. They can effectively prevent normal functioning, appearing shortly before or during the period. Sometimes this pain occurs suddenly, by surprise, while gradually intensifying.
The most common symptoms of painful periods are:
- Tiredness,
- Nervousness,
- Headaches,
- Dizziness,
- Nausea,
- Lack of appetite or increased appetite.
It is best to go to a gynecologist with this problem to rule out the causes of the disease. He will perform a physical examination, and in the case of secondary dysmenorrhea, he may order a pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy and microbiological swab.
Treatment is usually based on the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that will inhibit or slow down the growth of hormones responsible for pain. Unfortunately, their use can cause side effects, but the doctor may also suggest pain-reducing hormonal contraception.