HealthyCanada.com

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cramps. More than 70 per cent of women feel some level of discomfort when they get their period and approximately 10 per cent experience debilitating pain. The good news is that for many women menstrual pain will begin to taper off with age. This is especially true for those who've given birth.

Some women experience menstrual cramps a day or two before their period actually starts and the pain usually lasts for the first couple of days. Other women will experience various levels of pain throughout their entire period. Not all women have menstrual discomfort for the same reason. Most women who have painful periods experience primary dysmenorrhea while others with underlying gynaecologic conditions experience secondary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common reason behind menstrual discomfort. This type of pain is not usually a symptom of any underlying gynaecologic disease. It can be severe in some women for a brief period of time but it's not harmful. The pain usually starts shortly before or during the period and is most intense in the first 24 hours. It usually subsides after 2 days. Symptoms include:

• Pain in lower abdomen lower back hips or thighs
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea is less common and is related to some underlying gynaecologic condition such as endometriosis. Approximately 25 per cent of women suffer from this type of pain which:

• lasts longer than the first three days of your period
• can occur two or more days prior to the start of your period
• occurs between periods with or without bleeding
• is experienced with spotting or gushing of blood

If you experience primary dysmenorrhea the most likely cause is excessive levels of a hormone (prostaglandins) in your bloodstream. This hormone makes your uterus contract during childbirth and when you menstruate. Your uterus is a muscle so when it contracts and reduces blood flow you'll experience pain as a result. The pain you experience can get more severe as the tissue you're shedding passes through your cervix·especially if your cervical canal is narrow. Other contributing factors can include a backward tilted uterus stress or a lack of physical exercise.

If you suffer from secondary dysmenorrhea gynaecologic conditions that may be causing your pain could include:

• Endometriosis: fragments of your endometrial lining escape the uterus and cause pain outside the uterus.
• A sexually transmitted infection.
• Fibroids: benign tumours that grow within your uterine wall or become attached to it. These increase the surface area of the uterus and cn increase bleeding.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: usually an infection of your fallopian tubes or possibly your ovaries uterus or cervix.
• An ovarian cyst or tumour
• Adenomyosis: the tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow within its muscular walls.

If your periods are painful tell your doctor so he can find out whether you're experiencing primary or secondary dysmenorrhea. For women who suffer from the more common primary dymenorrhea anelgesic drugs such as ibuprofen naproxen mefenamic acid and indomethacin usually help relieve the pain. Oral contraceptives may also provide you some relief from discomfort. If you suffer from secondary dysmenorrhea your doctor may suggest surgery but this will depend on the underlying cause and severity of your pain.

If the pain you experience is mild you can try to help lessen your discomfort by:

• Taking a warm bath
• Using a hot water bottle or heating pad on your stomach or back
• Massaging your stomach or back
• Engaging in regular daily exercise - this usually helps reduce the severity of pain
• Gettting enough sleep
• Trying not to stress out during your period