Even though a monthly menstrual cycle is considered a “normal” part of a woman’s life, this “time of the month” is usually associated with anxiety and such feelings arise because of the pain and discomfort that may be caused by menstrual cramps, or what is known as dysmenorrhea.
These cramps are typically felt in the lower abdomen and often manifest before and during a woman’s monthly period. Dysmenorrhea is a common issue among menstruating women, with around 45% to 95% of them dealing with these painful cramps monthly.
Fortunately, there are certain strategies women can use to their advantage that may help reduce the pain
and discomfort caused by dysmenorrhea. If alleviating dysmenorrhea happens to be a goal of yours each month, keep reading!
How Does Dysmenorrhea Manifest
The major indicator of dysmenorrhea happens to be very painful, throbbing, and intense cramps in the lower abdomen.
This pain may manifest one to three days before your period, peak (at its most painful) 24 hours after the cycle starts, and wane or subside in two to three days. In some instances, these dull and continuous cramps can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fainting
- Pain in the lower back, thighs, or legs
- Diarrhea
While dysmenorrhea can be considered “normal” among menstruating women, it’s important to consult an OB-GYN or a health professional ASAP if:
- Cramps become so severe that they affect your quality of life each month
- Symptoms worsen
- Severe menstrual cramps manifest after you turn 25 years old
What Are the Causes of Dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea can be classified into two causes, depending on what triggers the cramps in the first place:
- Primary Dysmenorrhea: This means that chemicals called prostaglandins are responsible for the cramps. Prostaglandins are found in the lining of the uterus and play a role in the contractions of the muscles and blood vessels.
High levels of prostaglandins are usually recorded during the first day of a woman’s menstrual cycle and as such trigger painful cramps. As the days of the cycle go by, the amount of prostaglandins can decrease in the uterus, and reduce the amount of pain a woman feels.
- Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This means that the cramps can be caused by other medical conditions, namely:
- Endometriosis: Tissue that’s similar to the lining of the uterus grows on a woman’s fallopian tubes, ovaries, or tissue in the pelvis. Painful pelvic pain is a known indicator of this condition.
- Uterine Fibroids: These are non-cancerous growths that may appear in the wall of the uterus and trigger excruciating pain.
- Adenomyosis: This happens when endometrial tissue often found in your uterus’ lining appears in your uterus’ muscular walls instead.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: This refers to an infection in the female reproductive organs due to sexually transmitted bacteria.
- Cervical Stenosis: This occurs when a woman’s cervix is too small and disrupts the menstrual flow. This may lead to increased pressure and pain in the uterus.
How Can You Address Dysmenorrhea
Multiple strategies can be utilized when it comes to dysmenorrhea treatment, alongside proper diet and exercise. If you’re burdened by menstrual cramps each time your period comes, take note of these items that can help alleviate pain:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medication for dysmenorrhea: Pain relievers like Mefenamic Acid have been recommended to help target dysmenorrhea and its other painful symptoms. These medicines may be taken in regular doses before your period starts, at the beginning of your period, or even when you start to feel symptoms. Just remember to ask your doctor about the ideal dose needed for your current health status.
- Hot compress, heating pads, or heating patches: Apply any of these items onto the affected areas to reduce pain related to cramps. If possible, you can also take a hot bath to ease the discomfort.
Some other ways to lessen pain caused by dysmenorrhea and reduce its risk include:
- Eating nutrient-rich food like fruits, leafy green vegetables, fish with omega-3 fats, nuts, dark chocolate, beans, yogurt, and herbs like turmeric and ginger
- Getting at least seven (7) to nine (9) hours of sleep each night
- Doing exercises such as light walking or light cardio for at least 30 minutes, low-volume strength training, yoga, or Pilates (just make sure to ask your doctor about workouts you can do given your current health condition)
- Lessening exposure to stressors that may increase the risk for dysmenorrhea onset and severity
- Avoiding food such as fatty and salty food, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and caffeine
Struggling With Dysmenorrhea? Medicine Like Mefenamic Acid Can Help
Don’t let dysmenorrhea disrupt your daily activities. Be ready for red days with the No. 1 Mefenamic Acid brand (Dolfenal®). Bilis-ginhawa na subok na, Dolfenal the most doctor-prescribed Mefenamic Acid!
It may be of great help to women with dysmenorrhea since Mefenamic Acid helps change how the body responds to pain and swelling. Eventually, Mefenamic Acid aids in combating inflammation and swelling inside the body, and alleviates menstrual pain.
Plus, aside from its effects on menstrual pain, Mefenamic Acid may also help provide relief against toothache and headaches.
The recommended dose for adults and adolescents 14 years old and above is one (1) to two (2) tablets every eight (8) hours if needed, or as prescribed by a doctor.
You can take either medicine together with food or milk if you have experienced stomach pain after taking it. Avoid taking Mefenamic Acid (Dolfenal®) for more than seven (7) days unless directed by a doctor.
Mefenamic Acid (Dolfenal®) can be purchased in leading drugstores and pharmacies nationwide and online.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
ASC Reference Code: U0306P051823D
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menstrual-cramps/symptoms-causes/syc-20374938
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adenomyosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369138
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dysmenorrhea
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4148-dysmenorrhea
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/menstrual-cramp-remedies
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/what-to-eat-during-period#foods-to-eat
https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-during-period#best-exercises
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/dysmenorrhea-painful-periods
https://www.cdc.gov/std/pid/stdfact-pid.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html
https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/exercise-during-periods-5-must-tries-7647510/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.682341/full
