DYSMENORRHEA

What is Dysmenorrhea:

Is dysmenorrhea cramping your lifestyle?

Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps, affects as many as 50% of ovulating women. The pain in the lower abdomen is often associated with nausea, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea. In 5% to 15% of cases, the pain is intense. The problem usually begins in adolescence and can be severe enough to interfere with school or work activities. Luckily, the condition generally responds well to simple drug therapy and changes in lifestyle, and often becomes less severe with age.

Dysmenorrhea (literally, "difficult monthly flow") refers to cramping pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis that occur before and during menstruation. The cramping pain may spread to the low back and thighs.

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea:

It is often associated with nausea, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea. Headache, fatigue, and weakness may also occur.

Primary dysmenorrheais caused by strong or exceptionally lengthy contractions of the uterus.

Causes of Primary dysmenorrhea:

Researchers believe these contractions occur when the supply of blood to the uterus' lining is reduced, which may be linked to an overproduction of prostaglandin hormones in the body. A heavy menstrual flow with blood clots, which causes the cervix to dilate (widen), can also cause intense cramping.
Other factors that may worsen pain include a uterus that tips backward instead of forward, lack of exercise, and stress.

Secondary dysmenorrhea:

It is much less common and is more frequent among older women.

Causes of Secondary Dysmenorrhea
One of the most common causes of secondary dysmenorrhea is endometriosis (especially if cramping does not begin until after age 20). Other causes include pelvic infections, benign uterine tumors, an underdeveloped uterus, and use of intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea :

Dysmenorrhea results in pain in the lower abdomen, which can extend to the lower back and legs. This pain may be experienced as periodic cramping, a dull, constant ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation. Mild dysmenorrhea causes pelvic discomfort, cramping or a heavy feeling on the first day of bleeding with no other symptoms.

Moderate dysmenorrhea lasts from two to three days and may be accompanied by general feelings of discomfort, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea. Headache, fatigue, and weakness may also occur. Severe dysmenorrheais accompanied by intense pain lasting two to seven days, often with gastrointestinal upset, back and leg pain, and headache.

How Common Is Dysmenorrhea:

More than 40% of women experience menstrual cramps in their lives. Of those who do, 5% to 10% have severe, incapacitating cramps. Menstrual cramps increase in both frequency and severity from the start of menses into your early 20s, then begin to decrease. Primary menstrual dysmenorrhea is most often seen in females in their teens to early 20s. However, secondary menstrual dysmenorrhea is more often seen in women between their 20s and 30s.

What You Can Expect

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually sufficient to control primary dysmenorrhea pain. All NSAIDs are most effective when taken one or two days before the onset of bleeding and continued through the first one to two days of your period. If pain persists, your doctor may prescribe low-dose oral contraceptives.
Primary dysmenorrhea generally decreases with age and after childbirth.
Secondary dysmenorrhea requires treatment of the underlying cause, which may involve surgery.

Other symptoms that often accompany dysmenorrhea include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, chills, abdominal bloating, painful breasts, fatigue, depression and/or irritability.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for primary dysmenorrhea differ from those for secondary dysmenorrhea.

Risks are as follows:

• Primary dysmenorrhea
• Family history of menstrual cramps Nulliparity (have not given a live birth) Caffeine intake Stress (the degree of pain may be affected, but cramps are not caused by stress)
• Lack of exercise.
• Secondary dysmenorrhea
• Pelvic infection
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Endometriosis Submucosa myoma Intrauterine device (IUD) use Cervical stenosis with obstruction Blind uterine horn .