Dysmenorrhea: Understanding Women’s Health

Dysmenorrhea: What Every Woman Needs to Know

For girls and women, menstruation is a natural process that occurs once a month, as the body prepares itself for pregnancy. During this period when the uterine lining is shed, it is very normal to experience pain and cramps in the lower abdomen; Sometimes, there may be some pain in the lower back and upper legs.

These pains occur as a result of the uterus contracting (or compressing) to get rid of the lining that is no longer needed. There are chemical products called prostaglandins that are known to cause pain and help the uterus contract.

Some women and girls suffer from mild pain during menstruation, but for others, these pains are sharp and severe. No one really knows the reason for this, but this difference in pain intensity may be a result of some women having too many prostaglandins or because they are more sensitive to pain than others. This particularly makes it difficult for the uterus to contract, thus reducing blood flow to the uterus. Which causes increased pain.

In general, there is no need to worry about menstrual pain, all you have to do is know how to deal with these pains; This is done either by taking painkillers, or through other tried and tested methods, including exercise or heat therapy.

What is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is the pain that occurs during the menstrual cycle. It is common among women and ranges in severity from mild to severe.

Causes of Dysmenorrhea

As mentioned above, menstrual cramps are caused by contractions (or stretching) of the uterus (which is a muscle) by a chemical called prostaglandin. If the uterus contracts forcefully, it can put pressure on nearby blood vessels, cutting off the oxygen supply to the uterine tissue. Muscle.

Pain results when part of the muscle loses its supply of oxygen for a brief period. Menstrual cramps can also occur for the following reasons:

1. Endometriosis: In which part of the tissue lining the uterus emerges, it is commonly implanted in the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, or the tissue lining the pelvis.
2. Uterine fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterine wall may become a source of pain for some women during the menstrual cycle.
3. Pelvic inflammatory disease: This inflammation of the female reproductive organs is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.
4. Cervical stenosis: In some women, the opening of the cervix may be so small that it obstructs menstrual flow; As a result, the pressure inside the uterus that causes pain increases.

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea

How do you know, my dear, whether you or your daughters suffer from dysmenorrhea, either of its primary or secondary type?

Dr. Jamal El-Din explains to us the symptoms of dysmenorrhea as follows:

• Feeling severe pain or cramps in the lower abdomen
• Having pain in the lower back or thighs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache or dizziness
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Feeling tired and unable to move

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dysmenorrhea

Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment

To determine the type of dysmenorrhea and how to deal with it, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor. He is usually a consultant gynecologist. This doctor applies a set of procedures and tests in order to identify the problem and ways to solve it.

Diagnostic Methods

1. Medical history: includes details about menstrual cycle and symptoms
2. Clinical examination: to evaluate the pelvic area
3. Imaging examinations: includes ultrasound and MRI
4. Laparoscopy: To detect endometriosis or other conditions

Treatment of Dysmenorrhea

Not all cases and symptoms of dysmenorrhea require drug or surgical treatments. There are some care methods that allow women to alleviate the symptoms of this problem, using some tools and items found in the home and available to everyone.

How to Deal with Dysmenorrhea

1. the heat: Use warm compresses on the abdominal area
2. Natural herbs: Such as drinking ginger or chamomile tea to relieve pain
3. Aerobics: Do light exercise, such as yoga, to improve blood flow
4. Diet: By avoiding fatty foods and sugars, and eating foods rich in magnesium and omega-3
5. Drink fluids: Drink plenty of water and reduce salt to reduce bloating
6. Relax: Practice breathing exercises and meditation to reduce stress
7. Good sleep: To help restore energy and relieve symptoms

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

There is no reason to panic, my dear, in the event of recurring symptoms and simple complications of dysmenorrhea; Which can be eliminated by the methods and treatments mentioned above.

However, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor in some caseslike:

• If the pain is severe and affects daily life
• If painkillers don’t work
• If additional symptoms appear, such as abnormal bleeding or fever

Conclusion

In conclusion; Dysmenorrhea is a common problem among all women, and does not cause concern unless it is linked to health problems such as endometriosis, pelvic infections, and others. However, it is necessary for you and your daughters, before or at the beginning of their menstruation, to visit a gynecologist to perform certain examinations in order to ensure that they are free of any diseases or health problems that could increase the severity of menstruation and its pain. It may even affect their reproductive health in the future.

FAQs

Q: What are the symptoms of dysmenorrhea?

A: Symptoms of dysmenorrhea include severe pain or cramps in the lower abdomen, pain in the lower back or thighs, nausea and vomiting, headache or dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, and feeling tired and unable to move.

Q: What are the causes of dysmenorrhea?

A: Dysmenorrhea can occur due to various reasons such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical stenosis.

Q: How is dysmenorrhea diagnosed?

A: Dysmenorrhea is diagnosed by a combination of medical history, clinical examination, and imaging examinations such as ultrasound and MRI.

Q: What are the treatment options for dysmenorrhea?

A: Treatment options for dysmenorrhea include painkillers, hormone therapy, and surgery, as well as some natural remedies such as heat, exercise, and relaxation techniques.