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What are menstrual cramps?
What causes menstrual cramps?
What are the symptoms?
How can I prevent menstrual cramps?
What can I do when I have menstrual cramps?
Will I always have menstrual cramps?
What are
menstrual cramps?
Menstrual cramps are pains felt in the abdominal or pelvic area by women
during their menstrual periods. They can be felt before or during menstrual
period, but are not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS is a group
of symptoms related to a woman's menstrual cycle that usually occurs a week
or two before the period starts and ends when the period starts. Menstrual
cramps usually start the day a woman's menstrual period starts, and may last
as long as the entire period.
The medical term for menstrual cramps is dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps vary
from very mild to quite severe. Severe dysmenorrhea can interfere with a
woman's daily activities.
What
causes menstrual cramps?
Dysmenorrhea can be
either primary or secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea usually begins within a
few years after a woman starts her period, usually decreasing in intensity
with age. Secondary dysmenorrhea has an underlying pathological cause, such
as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical stenosis, uterine
fibroids, or a change in uterine position.
Menstrual cramps are
caused by uterine contractions. During your cycle, you are building up your
uterine lining in preparation for possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not
occur, a thick uterine lining is not needed, so it is shed at the beginning
of the next cycle. When the old uterine lining breaks down, molecular
compounds called prostaglandins are released; and these prostaglandins cause
uterine contractions. Severity of cramps is related to the prostaglandin
level at that time.
What are
the symptoms of Dysmenorrhea?
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Cramping pain or
discomfort in the lower abdomen
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Headache
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Nausea and
sometimes vomiting
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Loose stools
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Pain that radiates
to the lower back and thighs
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Dizziness
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Sweating
How can I
prevent menstrual cramps?
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Get plenty of
sleep. Your body may be more vulnerable to pain if you are tired.
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Exercise regularly.
This can stimulate blood flow and ease menstrual pain.
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Include whole
grains and green leafy vegetables in your diet.
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Drink plenty of
fluids.
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Avoid smoking
cigarettes and excessive alcohol use.
What can I
do when I have menstrual cramps?
Secondary dysmenorrhea treatment is aimed at resolving the underlying cause.
Call your healthcare provider if your cramps are not before or during your
period, are extremely severe, last longer than 2 to 3 days, or otherwise do
not seem like normal menstrual cramps.
Primary dysmenorrhea can be treated in several ways:
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Taking an
over-the-counter NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) such as
ibuprofen or naproxen.
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Oral contraceptives
can decrease cramping by lowering prostaglandin production.
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Rest in bed with a
heating pad.
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Gently massage your
abdomen or lower back.
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Avoid caffeinated
beverages right before and during your period.
Will I
always have menstrual cramps?
Menstrual cramps usually become less severe over time, but they may not go
away completely. Primary dysmenorrhea is rare after childbirth. With
secondary dysmenorrhea, prognosis depends on treatment of the underlying
cause.
For more
information:
The Mayo Clinic
MedicineNet.com
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