Struggling with painful periods each month? It’s time to know what leads to so! Several factors play a role in period cramps. It might be your lifestyle or an underlying condition. Almost every woman experiences such discomfort prior to or during her menstrual cycles. Dysmenorrhea is the clinical term for what is widely known as painful periods. This discomfort ranges from mild to moderate to severe pain. For unbearable pain, you need immediate relief. Be sure to seek medical assistance to heal the intensity of the pain. In order to treat dysmenorrhea, you might consider the best gynaecologist in Siliguri.
Intense Pain In Your Pelvic Area?
What are the Symptoms of Period Cramps?
The pain is itself, however, the prominent sign of period cramps. Let’s have a closer look at how the discomfort feels:
- Mild or throbbing pain in the lower abdomen
- Persistent dull pain
- Pain with headaches, throwing up
- Dizziness
- Loose stools
What are the Types of Dysmenorrhea?
There are two main types of dysmenorrhea – Primary and Secondary dysmenorrhea.
Primary Dysmenorrhea: This type of menstrual cramp is mostly common during/or ahead of periods. Prostaglandins, a natural chemical (lipid autacoids) causes muscles in your womb/uterus to shrink. You might have low-intensity menstrual pain, but considering a gynecologist is always of help.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
While on the other side, secondary dysmenorrhea refers to an intense pain that may last longer than usual. If you have this condition, medical care is a must. An apt evaluation of your reproductive health ensures the underlying cause of the problem.
When to See a Gynaecologist for Menstrual Cramps?
You can consult a gynecologist for all ranges of reproductive health issues. Plus, if you don’t have any such problem, you can simply talk to your gyne doctor for reproductive health tips and understanding.
A few points to take into account:
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor when you feel your monthly cycles affecting your life.
- When the pain goes unbearable
- A dull ache in your lower abdomen that makes you restless
- Mild pain that persists
- Pain that leads to vomiting, triggers migraine/headaches
Causes of Period Cramps
The following are some of the causes of painful menstruations:
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumours made up of muscles and fibrous connective tissue that grow in your uterus. Fibroids may/may not result in symptoms. Generally, larger tumours require medical supervision.
Larger fibroids can cause pelvic pain, abnormal menstrual bleeding, low back pain, frequent urination, constipation, etc.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a reproductive health disorder in which the endometrium-like tissue is found elsewhere in your uterus – on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or intestines.
The most common symptom of this medical condition is pelvic pain. Other discomforts can be painful periods, painful bowel movements, abnormal menstrual bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, infertility, et al.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease, commonly known as pelvic infection, is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. Bacteria through sexual contact reach the womb, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
It may cause pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, heavy vaginal discharge, frequent urination. And if it remains undiscovered can be responsible for ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, or infertility.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a medical condition in which endometrium develops into the muscular wall of your womb. This condition might lead to mild or no discomfort.
Since it makes your womb thick and enlarged, you can undergo heavy periods, severe cramping during monthly cycles, painful intercourse, etc.
What To Expect From Your Gynaecologist?
Medical Assistance for Painful Periods
Treatment depends upon the underlying cause of the menstrual pain. Hence, proper diagnosis is of utmost importance. Your specialist first looks after your symptoms and reviews your medical history. A physical exam, ultrasound, laparoscopy, MRI, CT scan, X-ray help find out the source of the problem.
Endometriosis, pelvic infection, ovulation disorder may interfere with pregnancy. For that, you might need fertility medications. You can take medical consultancy from the leading gynaecologist and IVF specialist in Siliguri.
Medical care revolves around medications and surgical intervention. Besides treatments, lifestyle changes can be of absolute help. Regular exercise, a wholesome diet, stress management, proper sleep contribute a lot to your reproductive wellbeing.
