Jenny have got a date with Bob that she cannot miss this weekend… upon the arrival of the weekend Jenny couldn’t get up, she couldn’t even walk for most of the day let alone going out on a date. She was in such a terrible excruciating pain in her lower abdomen, she picked-up her phone to inform Bob that she won’t be able to make it to their scheduled date, but the pain was so much that she couldn’t even talk to Bob on the phone, her sister have to help her out…to Jenny, this excruciating menstrual cramps has become a normal routine for the past five years and it seems to be getting worse each month…*what can I do to get rid of this terrible monthly visitor…Jenny cried. *

What is menstrual cramps ( dysmenorrhea)

Dysmenorrhea ( menstrual cramps) are throbbing or cramping pains (Period) in the lower abdomen. Many women experience menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods.
For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, menstrual cramps can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month. For some it can be so severe that they can’t even do anything for the main time. In some cases menstrual cramps is associated with heavy bleeding (Bloodletting) during menstrual period.
In some cases, menstrual cramps may be caused by underlying health conditions such as; endometriosis and uterine fibriod. In such cases, treating (Biological treatment) the underlying cause is the key to reducing the pain. Menstrual cramps that aren’t caused by an underlying health conditions tends to lessen with age and often improve once a woman has given birth.

Summary
Menstrual cramps is normally as a result of the contraction of the uterine muscles as it tries to expel it’s linings during your normal monthly period.

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Symptoms of menstrual cramps

The major Symptoms of menstrual cramps are;

Throbbing or cramping pain in the lower abdomen (Cephalic Region) that may be intense.

Dull, constant ache.

Pain that radiates to the lower back and thigh.
In some cases, women having menstrual cramps also experience;

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Dizziness

Loose stools.

Summary
The Symptoms of dysmenorrhea varies from mild dull ache to a severe dull pain that may spread to the lower back and may even interrupt with some individuals normal day activity during her period and it can sometimes go with heavy bleeding.

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Causes

During the monthly menstrual period, the uterus contracts to help expel it’s lining. Postagladins involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine (Corpus) muscle contractions. Higher levels of postagladins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
Severe contractions may constrict the blood vessels feeding the uterus. The resulting pain can be compared to the chest pain that occurs when blocked vessels starve portions of the heart of food and oxygen (Biological oxygen demand (BOD))…
Other causes of menstrual cramps include;

1) Endometriosis in this condition, the tissue that lines the uterus becomes implanted outside the uterus, most commonly on the fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining the pelvis.

2) uterine fibroids: These non cancerous growth in the wall of the uterus can be the cause of pain.

**3) Adenomyosis: ** In this condition, the tissue (What is heart failure?) that lines the uterus begins to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus.

4) Pelvic inflammatory disease ( P.I.D) : This infection of the female reproductive ■■■■■ is usually caused by sexually (Sexual harassment) transmitted bacteria (Bacteria).

**5) cervical stenosis: **In some women the opening of the ■■■■■■ may be so small that it impedes menstrual flow, causing a painful increase of pressure within the uterus.

Summary
For menstrual cramps with an underlying health conditions, treating the underlying health condition is the key to getting rid of the menstrual cramps.

Risk factors

Those who ;

1. started puberty early ; at age 11 or younger.

2. have heavy bleeding during periods.

3. smokers.

4. irregular menstrual periods.

5. have a family history of dysmenorrhea.

6. have never given birth.
   Are at a greater risk of menstrual cramps.

Summary
Menstrual cramps that is without an underlying health cause tends to go naturally once a woman have given birth.

Home remedies

You may find relief from menstrual cramps by taking a warm bath or applying a heating pad, hot water bottle or heat patch to your lower abdomen ( around the pelvic region).

Summary
Home remedies such as applying heating pad, heat patch and hot water in a bottle can be as effective as Ibuprofen in reducing menstrual cramps.

Treatment and drugs

Drugs (Drug) that stops or reduce uterine muscle (The Thigh Muscles don’t just move your legs) spasm and over the counter pain relievers including non steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen, taken at regular doses starting the day before you expect your period to begin until your period is over ( or as directed by your physician) may help.
For those that can’t take NSAIDs maybe due to peptic ulcer, you can take other pain relievers such as paracetamol ( Tylenol).

Hormonal birth control pills also helps reduce menstrual cramps.

For menstrual cramps with an underlying health conditions… treating the underlying health condition is the key to getting rid of the menstrual cramps.

Summary
Over the counter pain relievers such Ibuprofen and Tylenol can greatly reduce menstrual cramps that is without an underlying health cause… provided they are taken as discribed above or as directed by your physician.

Conclusion

Dysmenorrhea ( menstrual cramps) are throbbing or cramping pain in the lower abdomen, many women experience menstrual cramps just before or during their menstrual periods. It can be very mild in so women and be very severe in others…in some women it can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities during their menstrual period every month.
The Symptoms of menstrual cramps are as a result of the contraction of the uterine muscles as it tries to expel it’s endometrium.
Menstrual cramps can also be caused by other pathological factors ( other underlying health conditions) such as* endometriosis, uterine fibriod, Adenomyosis, pelvic inflammation disease, and cervical stenosis.*
Applying heating pad, heat patch and hot water in a bottle to the lower abdomen ( pelvic region) during menstrual cramps have been shown to greatly reduced the pain, over the counter pain relievers such Ibuprofen and Tylenol ( paracetamol) are also very effective in reducing menstrual cramps. However if the menstrual cramps is as a result of an underlying health conditions…then treating that underlying health condition is the key to getting rid of the pain.

Frequently asked questions

I bleed heavily during my period and I do have very painful cramps…it is normal.
Menstrual cramps can come with heavy bleeding in some individuals and can be very painful…it is normal… menstrual cramps tends to naturally go away once a woman have given birth.

I do experience very painful cramps every month and it tends to be getting worse each month… what can I do?.…

You can apply home remedies like heating pad, heat patch and hot water in a bottle to your lower abdomen when you’re having the cramps… this can greatly reduced the pain… better still, you can take over the counter pain relievers such Ibuprofen as discribed above.

Do menstrual cramps have an underlying health conditions?..

Menstrual cramps naturally is as result of the uterine muscle contractions as it tries to expel it’s lining during your period… however, sometimes menstrual cramps can be as a result of an underlying health conditions such as endometriosis and uterine fibriod…if you feel your menstrual cramps is as a result of an underlying health condition…then talk to your physician about it.

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