How and how to relieve pain during menstruation at home. Causes of very heavy and painful periods and ways to cope with unpleasant symptoms

There are other unpleasant side effects as well. Appetite may disappear or, conversely, increase. It can vomit and sometimes even vomit. The chest swells and hurts, the stomach swells. Also, some people have problems with the stool. Sweating becomes more pronounced. At times like these, it's hard to keep calm. The causes of painful periods are not only of concern to teenage girls who encounter them for the first time.

Pain in the lower abdomen

Before the onset of these days or during them, most ladies become melancholic, and even more often become irritable. But, perhaps, the most unpleasant moment of these days is the pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes unbearable. Many women and girls during menstruation experience discomfort from pain in the lower abdomen.

So why is this happening? Is this normal or is it a reason to see a specialist? Of course, there can be a lot of reasons, and to know for sure, you need a trip to a gynecologist.

Usually girls have a feeling that they are pulling the lower abdomen. Discomfort in the lower back and even in the anus. The pain is stabbing and jerking and comes in spasms. Such sensations do not last long, and the next day after the onset of menstruation, all these signs disappear.

Pain syndrome during menstruation experts call "algomenorrhea". This condition often torments young women who have not given birth to children. Discomfort occurs either before menstruation or on the first day of menstruation. That is, those who have this pain that is unexpressed and does not interfere with doing their own business should not worry, most likely they have no disorders. If there are violations in the cycle, that is, menstruation does not go regularly, then this violation is called algomenorrhea. This condition also provokes painful periods.

Causes of algomenorrhea

Experts distinguish two types of a painful condition:

Primary algomenorrhea.
Secondary algomenorrhea.

In the first case, the incorrect position of the uterus and the individual structural features of the body are the causes of very painful periods.

What can be done to make this feature known as early as possible? In general, this usually becomes noticeable already in adolescence. , she begins to experience discomfort in the lower abdomen. Sometimes such phenomena begin to disturb her two or three years after they begin. In any case, you will need to see a doctor.

In the second case, older women usually suffer. With secondary algomenorrhea, pain syndrome is a sign of improper functioning of the pelvic organs and (or) gynecological disease. Such pain can also be caused by an intrauterine device, which women install to prevent pregnancy. In this case, you need to be examined by a specialist.

The causes of painful periods are usually associated with uterine contractions. In the female body, cyclical changes occur, which occur once a month. These changes are explained by the maturation of the egg. If it is not fertilized, then it is rejected when the uterine mucosa is renewed. And at this point, it is excreted from the body along with the blood. This process is called menstruation. And this happens every month, until the onset of menopause. In order for the body to push out the unfertilized egg, the uterus contracts. This contraction - a spasm - causes pain.

Therefore, initially, the pain caused by muscle spasms of the uterus is normal. But besides this, there are other reasons. Some women are particularly sensitive, since they have a large number of receptors in the abdominal region, and therefore they feel pain more strongly.

Hormonal causes

The female body contains the hormones estrogen and progesterone. On critical days prostaglandin is especially pronounced, and his active work contributes to unpleasant sensations on critical days. It is he who makes the uterus contract, and the more prostaglandin in the body, the stronger the organ contracts, and, accordingly, the stronger the intensity of sensations. Increased hormone levels also lead to increased sweating, chills, heart palpitations, and nausea.

At the same time, the pain should not be unbearable and deprive the girl of the opportunity to move. It should be treatable with analgesics and antispasmodics. There should not be heavy bleeding.

Pathologies and neoplasms

Pain caused by pathological causes is difficult or impossible to relieve with analgesics. The girl becomes completely incapacitated and can only lie in bed. In this case, you should immediately contact a gynecologist. It is especially worth paying attention to this if such acute pain is observed for the first time.

Such pathologies include sexual infantilism. It comes to light at young representatives. Sexual infantilism is the underdevelopment of the uterus or its abnormal, incorrect position. A sign of such a problem is a severe pain symptom in the abdomen on the first day and similar but milder symptoms two to three days before. The reason for what is happening is the problem of removing blood due to the narrow cervical canal due to insufficient elasticity of the uterus.

The uterus may be to blame for the causes of painful phenomena, more precisely, its not quite correct position.

An abnormal position of the uterus due to a slight deviation can press on the nerve endings and, accordingly, cause more pronounced pain.

This can also lead to a feeling of heaviness in the lumbar region.

Endometriosis is a pathology that ranks third among other gynecological diseases in terms of prevalence. This disease is associated with the growth of tissue outside the uterus.

This benign growth can be observed both in various parts of the reproductive system and in other organs. Symptoms of the disease will depend on the localization of the process.

Common symptoms include severe pain, enlargement of endometrioid nodes, spotting from external areas before and during critical days, as well as discomfort during vaginal sex.

This pathology can lead to menstrual irregularities, the formation of cysts and even infertility.

Endometriosis mainly occurs in women from twenty-five to forty years old, less often in girls during the formation of the menstrual cycle. And extremely rare in menopausal women. It is likely that the disease is more common, but the difficulties in diagnosis make it problematic to establish this diagnosis, and in some cases there is an asymptomatic course of endometriosis.

Neoplasms in the pelvic organs include:

cysts;
fibromas;
tumors.

If menstruation lasts a long time, and the woman experiences too much pain, the discharge is abundant and thicker, interspersed with a different color, then this may be a sign of a cyst, fibroma, or even a tumor.

Other symptoms include problems with urination.

There are other causes of severe pain on critical days, for example, an excitable nervous system, a consequence of childbirth or abortion, heredity, lack of mineral compounds in the body, malnutrition, lack of physical activity.

Thyroid activity

This disease can be caused by an overactive thyroid gland. Excessive activity of the gland in the body makes the concentration of prostaglandins too high, and this can result in severe abdominal pain on critical days.

In addition, menstruation can be more intense and prolonged.

Inflammatory diseases

Severe pain during menstruation, nausea, fever, chills, as well as the feeling that, although this will not happen with standard menstruation, all this may indicate inflammatory diseases of the uterus, hormonal problems or an infectious disease of the reproductive system.

If a woman has itching, and the discharge has an unpleasant odor, then it is probably an infection. Cystitis - inflammation of the bladder It can also exacerbate painful periods.

Treatment at home

It is best to treat non-drug methods. Such methods can help reduce pain during this period. They will help those who have moderate symptoms and are not associated with diseases and pathologies. If these methods do not help, then you can use heavier artillery in the form of medicines.

Massage and physical education

To reduce or remove pain, you need to come to a state of rest, relax the abdominal muscles and warm them. To do this, you can make a light massage of the abdomen. You need to do it clockwise. You can rub essential oil into the abdomen if you are not allergic to it.

It will also help and relax the massage of the lumbar zone. You can additionally rub a mixture of essential oils into this area.

Physical education, Pilates, yoga will help get rid of pain. But in no case should you include exercises for the press.

As exercises, light stretching, tilts and rotations of the body are suitable. There are many exercises in Pilates and yoga that are suitable for dealing with abdominal pain.

Warm bath and swim

A warm bath will perfectly relax and reduce discomfort. For example, a bath with sea salt. Baths with sea salt are best taken shortly before the onset of menstruation, for 15-20 minutes. Contrast sitz baths can also help, which should also be taken before menstruation. After a bath or a contrast shower, you need to dress warmly so that the body does not have time to cool down, and the muscles remain in a relaxed state, and lie down for at least half an hour or an hour. And compresses can be used directly during critical days.

Swimming in a pool or pond helps with a tendency to severe pain, it releases endorphins, and endorphins are a natural pain reliever.

Herbal teas and infusions

You can drink chamomile tea, mineral water, make a decoction of parsley or sorrel, tansy, angelica, acorns and strawberries.

Painkillers and oral contraceptives

Popular painkillers can be used as medicines. Usually one tablet is enough to remove the pain syndrome.

These well-known drugs include:

No-shpa.
Spazmalgon.
Ketonal.

If the cause of painful menstruation is overexcitation of the nervous system or stress, then you can try to use a sedative of plant origin - valerian. Either tincture of valerian, or in tablets.

An effective way to get rid of unpleasant pain can be taking oral contraceptives, as they normalize hormonal levels. For the correct appointment of such drugs, a consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

There are many reasons for painful periods. Some can be dealt with simply by taking vitamins and proper nutrition, and in some cases serious treatment is needed. Moreover, the symptoms in both cases can be similar.

If there are too strong pains in the lower abdomen, then in any case it is necessary to consult a gynecologist.

In addition, one cannot, in principle, neglect a visit to this doctor, because there are various diseases that do not manifest themselves in any way, proceed in a latent, that is, asymptomatic, manner, and the sooner such a disease is detected, the greater the chance of a complete cure.

Violation of the cycle, pathology of organs, systems due to external or internal factors, can provoke painful periods. If this affects the quality of life, causes a deterioration in general well-being and a temporary decrease in working capacity, then the nature of the menstrual phase is not normal.

About 75% of sexually mature girls and women of reproductive age are experiencing critical days 2 days before the start of the cycle and the entire period of critical days. The symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in each individual case will be expressed with varying degrees - someone feels only slight discomfort or slight irritability, and someone will not be able to get out of bed from pain.

It depends on the anatomical features of the structure of the reproductive organs or due to existing pathologies that are not always related to the field of gynecology, but, for example, to the endocrine, vascular, hematopoietic systems, and so on.

If during the period of menstruation a woman experiences a deterioration in well-being to such an extent that she cannot fully rest and work, then it is necessary to look for the reasons that “launched” such a reaction of the body to the change in the phases of the cycle. Painful menstruation may be a secondary sign of the underlying pathology, which is why examination and further treatment is required.

With a monthly deterioration in well-being, especially in adolescents who have begun puberty (growth of the mammary glands and pubic hair, etc.), it is strongly recommended to visit the gynecologist's office and undergo an extensive examination.

Other symptoms of pathologies

When a sexually mature girl or a woman who has not yet given birth experiences minor deviations from her usual state, in which analgesics, antispasmodics and other drugs are not required, her critical days (CD) are characterized as painless periods. If she is having a hard time with PMS, is forced to do breathing or physical exercises, take medications, then you should look for a pathology.

Symptoms associated with painful menstruation:

loss of consciousness or dizziness;
migraine;
nausea, vomiting;
arrhythmia, tachycardia;
increased sweating;
unstable blood pressure (jumps, decrease, increase);
aching joints, muscles;
psycho-emotional instability;
heat;
prostration;
scanty or excessively abundant bleeding.

Each woman may have one or more symptoms characteristic of a particular pathology, but there is always pain in the lower abdomen, which can begin 1-2 days before the cycle and continues until the end of the menstrual phase. It often radiates (gives off) to the perineum, lumbosacral back, organs located in the small pelvis. Pain is characterized by cramping attacks, but it can also be stably aching. And also it is often twitching, stabbing, or accompanied by cuts all over the abdomen.

Causes of painful periods

Until today, there is an opinion that this situation with menstruation will disappear on its own after a young woman bears her first child and gives birth. This is possible only if the cause of painful menstruation is an improperly located body of the uterus. This is its slight bend, which arose during the growth of the organ during puberty or during unsuccessful lifting of weight.

With a congenital defect, a genetic predisposition to an abnormally current menstrual cycle, any pathology - the appearance of the first child does not save from monthly pain. That is why a mandatory gynecological examination with subsequent treatment is required.

Painful menstruation occurs with pathologies:

dysmenorrhea;
dysfunction of the glands of the reproductive system or ovaries;
inflammation of the tissues of the reproductive organs (vaginitis, andexitis, endometriosis);
infectious or sexually transmitted diseases that are sexually transmitted;
myoma;
polyps in the cavity or on the cervix;
polycystic ovaries;
adhesions in the appendages;
ectopic pregnancy;
injury.

The causes of painful periods should also be sought among functional disorders of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, neuropsychic and vegetovascular systems. But the deviation in the work of the endocrine and sex glands is considered by doctors first of all. After all, hormonal imbalance is one of the main factors due to which painful menstruation occurs.

If you go into details, the predominance of prostaglandin in the blood, which is responsible for the contraction of the uterine muscles, occurs due to glandular dysfunction, and this entails a high level of the hormone. The uterus begins to contract intensively, due to which the rhythm of contractions is disturbed, and pain appears.

What do they do to find out the reasons

First of all, you need to undergo a medical examination. Girls under 16 need to contact a pediatric gynecologist. During the diagnosis of painful periods, it will be necessary to donate blood 1-5 times for a general biochemical analysis and hormonal status. This will help track the synthesis of prostaglandin and other sex substances.

During the gynecological examination, smears and scrapings are taken for cytology. With painful periods, videocolposcopy or hysteroscopy, ultrasound, and laparoscopy are often done. This helps to see the intrauterine space and ovaries, to analyze the condition of the organs.

If diagnosed with dysmenorrhea

Upon completion of the examination, doctors in the results indicate the name of the pathology or another factor that provoked painful periods. The causes are eliminated with medication, with the help of surgery or physiotherapy, and other optimal methods of treatment are also selected. When a diagnosis of dysmenorrhea is made in a medical report - what does this mean?

Pathology refers to cycle disorders in females from the period after menarche (first menstruation) to the onset of menopause (premenopause), characterized by regular, but always painful, menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea is accompanied by psycho-emotional and vegetative disorders. This is a depressive state, loss of strength, unwillingness to get out of bed, headache, arthralgia, lack of appetite, temperature above 37 C, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, sore throat, insomnia, etc.

During the menstrual phase, the leading symptom of pathology may not be pain, but another symptom that causes discomfort, exhausting the nervous system. This affects memory, performance, contributes to mental or physical overwork.

Primary dysmenorrhea

Most often, a functional disorder of the cycle affects adolescent girls, sexually mature girls and nulliparous women. For the first time, very painful periods may occur for 3 years after menarche, or the intensity and duration of attacks will increase in subsequent years.

Primary dysmenorrhea is not associated with pathological processes that entail changes in the tissues of the reproductive organs. The cause of painful periods is considered to be prostaglandin, estradiol E2, psychological factors associated with growing up, and physical changes in the uterus, in which, during the growth process, her body may bend.

During the formation of the cycle, a lack or excess of hormones causes dysfunction of the contractility of the uterus. High muscle tone does not allow the cervical canal to expand in a timely manner, to keep the smooth muscles in a relaxed state for a sufficient period so that the organ can rest. As a result, the endometrium is separated by large clots, the tissues of the uterus are in constant tension, pieces of the mucosa cannot pass through the cervical canal - this is why severe pain most often appears in the primary form.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

Functional disorder of subtype 2 is inherent in women who have congenital or acquired pathologies that directly or indirectly affect the menstrual cycle. They cause painful periods, because they cause compaction, adhesions, growth in the tissues of the reproductive organs. This entails a violation of blood circulation, muscle spasms, increased seizures.

The most common causes of secondary dysmenorrhea are inflammation of the mucous membranes and muscular membranes of the uterus itself (endometriosis and the like), ovarian dysfunction (cystosis, salpingo-oophoritis, etc.), the presence of polyps, tumors or an intrauterine device.

How to eliminate painful periods

Treatment includes the use of exercise therapy, physiotherapy - UHF, laser therapy, medications aimed at removing the main cause of dysmenorrhea. With painful periods, non-steroidal drugs are prescribed that relieve inflammation. Antispasmodic drugs are prescribed.

With painful menstruation, hormonal drugs are used (Marvelon, Silesta, Mercilon, oral contraceptives). Antiprostaglandin agents are also used (Indomethacin, Naprosin, Brufen, Butation and other species that tend to suppress the synthesis of this hormone).

What to do with painful periods is prohibited:

self-medicate;
change the dosage or regimen of medication;
interrupt the therapeutic course;
supercool;
do hard physical work.

With painful periods after a medical consultation, it is allowed to resort to the methods of informal medicine. This is acupuncture (acupuncture), herbal treatment, apitherapy.

Conclusion

If painful periods occur in each cycle, what should I do? The first step to solving the problem should be a deep medical examination, which begins with an examination on the gynecological chair. Then you just need to follow all the medical recommendations aimed at eliminating the causes of their appearance - therapy, regular gymnastics and a healthy lifestyle for preventive purposes.

httpss://youtu.be/TYdHoHLipEI?t=10s

From a medical point of view, painful periods are called algomenorrhea, and almost half of women face this problem, and 10% complain of very painful periods that interfere with work and study. The expectation of aching and cramping pains radiating to the sacrum, hip joints and back during critical days overshadows the lives of many women, so we can say that painful menstruation is also a social problem.

The causes of painful periods depend on whether primary algomenorrhea is observed or secondary.

Primary algomenorrhea and its causes

In the case of primary algomenorrhea, it is sometimes difficult to understand why the stomach hurts so much. On ultrasound, everything is fine, there are no anatomical changes in the internal organs, and menstruation is painful. However, sometimes the reasons lie in the underdevelopment of the uterus and its incorrect position. Most often, the reasons are hidden in the hormonal problems of women.

It is to blame for the fact that we have painful menstruation, the hormone prostaglandin, or rather, violations of its synthesis. It’s just that the closer the period is, the more it is produced, and this provokes:

increased contractility of the muscles of the uterus;
squeezing of blood vessels;
malnutrition of its tissues.

The fact that painful periods and their causes are associated with hormonal dysfunction is evidenced by the fact that the first heavy periods usually come a year after the onset of menstruation, that is, by the time the ovulatory cycle has been established.

Other causes of painful periods, which can be attributed to the primary, are associated with problems of the nervous system: a woman is simply susceptible to pain.

There is also a psychological reason for painful periods. Very often, girls deny their femininity, which is why they believe that menstruation is something abnormal and dirty. In many traditional and not only countries, a woman is treated as an imperfect person, and everything related to women's health and nature is considered abnormal. However, psychosomatics is a dubious concept, but it’s still worthwhile to figure out why you are embarrassed to be a woman, and the pain can go away.

And sometimes painful periods have purely physiological causes.

Menstruation is painful if the structure of the uterus interferes with the proper outflow of menstrual blood. The uterus may be bent or irregular in shape. It could also be due to being overweight. Very often, painful periods of this type occur in young and nulliparous women.

Very often, the reasons that menstruation is painful are hidden in female diseases. In this case, we are talking about algomenorrhea of the second type. Painful menstruation in this case is due to inflammatory processes in the ovaries and appendages, as well as the uterus.

Other causes that can cause painful periods are:

endometriosis;
and endometritis;
varicose veins of the uterus;
myomas and fibromyomas;
genital trauma;
ectopic spiral.

Painful periods of this type are very common in older women who have given birth, had abortions and caesarean sections, underwent cauterization of the cervix and gynecological operations.

Often pain is given to the rectum and sacrum, often causing fever. Painful sensations come a few days earlier than the menses themselves, and continue until the second or third day of the cycle. In such cases, pills will not help, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary.

Any treatment should begin with an examination - how else to find out the reasons?

Women who have painful periods need not only a routine gynecological examination and smear examination, but also ultrasound, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, as well as a study of hormonal levels.

But what about the treatment? As mentioned above, the treatment of type II algomenorrhea begins with the treatment of the underlying disease.

Treatment of algomenorrhea of the first type should include drugs that suppress the synthesis of prostaglandins. The most popular among them are:

butadione;
naprosin;
brufen;
indomethacin.

They begin to be taken a couple of days before menstruation begins, and continue to drink in the first two or three days of the cycle.

Naprosin is taken twice a day, ¼ gram, indomethacin - three times a day, 25 mg, brufen - three times a day, 1/5 gram. Treatment with these drugs lasts from three cycles or longer. In addition, in the first days of the cycle, it is advised to take vitamin E (300 mg each).

What else helps with painful periods:

Physiotherapeutic treatment will be useful, for example, electrophoresis with novocaine on the solar plexus, which needs to be done about ten times. They do the procedure every other day, you need to finish by the time your period comes.
Darsonvalization and acupuncture, which is carried out for three to four months, will also be useful. The first time the procedure is carried out for the whole month, then - only after ovulation, that is, in the second phase.
If menstruation is painful, in the second phase of the cycle, you can drink valerian and put a heating pad on the lower abdomen. Before critical days, you can’t overload, but you can do physical education.
Treatment can be with low-dose OCs such as Mercilon, Silest, Marvelon.
Needless to say, you need to normalize your lifestyle. Painful periods can be caused by lack of sleep, and love of alcohol and coffee, and smoking, and stress.
A sedentary lifestyle can also cause increased pain during menstruation. You need to move and maintain an active lifestyle.

And, of course, pain can be stopped with the help of antispasmodics (papaverine, no-shpa) and analgesics (ketoral, analgin, ibuprofen, tamipul, etc.). But do not get carried away with pills, you need to find out the root cause and undergo a course of treatment, if necessary.

In addition, painful periods are more common in obese girls, so sometimes it is enough to lose weight, and the pain will go away. The diet must include foods with fatty acids, which positively affect the hormonal background.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

In the life of every girl there comes a moment when she grows up and this is expressed not only in the fact that she becomes smarter and taller, but also in the changes that the female body is subject to. Strengthening the production of hormones during puberty is expressed in the acquisition of typically female constitutional features - a figure is formed, breasts increase in size.

The most striking manifestation of growing up is that the moment of the first menstruation comes. It is from this moment that childhood ends and a new stage in life begins. Each girl passes this period differently, and much depends on how well she is prepared for this, in which, of course, the mother plays the primary role.

As a rule, the fear of the ongoing changes makes you think about why there are painful periods. In addition to the fact that this issue begins to worry during puberty, it remains relevant for older girls and women.

There are women who, almost throughout their lives, experience painful periods and looking for all sorts of ways to help get rid of it. For many, this becomes a real problem. We will consider the reasons for this feature of the female body and methods of treatment in this article and try to figure out whether the physiological or pathological condition is painful menstruation.

Concept. Definition

Painful menstruation (medical name algomenorrhea) is a pain syndrome that occurs during menstruation and a few days before its onset. Characterized by painful monthly aching or cramping pains in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region and sacrum. They may be accompanied by general malaise.

Clinical symptoms

Algodismenorrhea proceeds, as a rule, in all women the same way. In the lower abdomen, aching pain appears in the lower abdomen, lower back and sacrum in the days preceding menstruation. On the day of the onset of menstruation, the pain becomes more pronounced, sharp, cramping. Pain sensations are usually observed during the first two days, then gradually subside and disappear completely. In some cases, the painful monthly cycle is so difficult that a woman loses her ability to work, and even ordinary self-service is given with great effort. Very painful periods also affect overall well-being, as they cause irritability, depression and increased anxiety. In these cases, it can be said that painful periods become a social problem.

Other symptoms that accompany painful periods can also join the pain syndrome: nausea, headaches, vomiting, dizziness. In some women, sleep is disturbed, appetite increases or decreases sharply, sensitivity to various smells increases, and taste sensations change. With the most severe course of painful periods, a woman may have increased pressure, a migraine may appear or worsen. In addition, a painful menstrual cycle can cause increased heart rate and fainting. There may be painful periods with blood clots and vary in intensity of bleeding.

An increase in temperature during painful periods is a fairly rare symptom. It is observed in cases where a woman suffers from secondary algomenorrhea, which has developed on the basis of endometriosis.

A characteristic feature of painful periods is the period of their occurrence. As a rule, it occurs 1-1.5 years after the first menstruation. It was also noted that algomenorrhea is observed more often in women with an ovulatory, regular menstrual cycle.

Epidemiology. Statistical data

Painful periods are a fairly common condition. According to statistics, women aged 14-44 years (for primary algomenorrhea) and women aged 30-40 years (for secondary algomenorrhea) are susceptible to this pathology. Painful periods in this age group occur in 31-52% of women. Of the total number of women who have a painful menstrual cycle, about 10% of women lose their ability to work with the onset of menstruation.

The reasons

Painful periods can be primary or secondary. Primary algomenorrhea is considered functional, since it is not associated with changes in the internal genital organs of an anatomical nature. Secondary algomenorrhea is one of the symptoms of congenital pathology of the internal genital organs (malformations) or gynecological diseases: endometriosis, chronic inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages.

Until the end, all the reasons that can cause painful periods have not yet been clarified. With primary algomenorrhea in women, no abnormalities are found at all with a thorough examination. In the secondary form, signs of endometriosis or inflammatory diseases of the appendages may be detected.

With secondary algomenorrhea, women are often diagnosed with internal or external endometriosis. In these cases, pain lasts more than 1-2 days.

Causes of secondary algomenorrhea can also be: childbirth, abortion, surgical interventions on the appendages and uterus, uterine fibroids (with a submucosal location of the node), the use of intrauterine contraceptives (spirals).

Another reason for painful periods can be varicose veins of the small pelvis, as well as ruptures of the broad ligament of the uterus (this pathology is known in medicine under the name of Allen-Masters). The expansion of the veins of the small pelvis is extremely rarely an independent disease. Most often, it is a manifestation of a systemic disease that occurs with varicose veins of the lower extremities and hemorrhoidal veins. Ruptures of the broad ligament of the uterus can occur with birth injuries and with very rough curettage of the uterine cavity.

Mechanism of pain syndrome in painful menstrual cycle

Why do painful periods occur, or rather, what is the mechanism for the development of pain in this case? The immediate cause of pain is uterine contractions, causing vasospasm, which leads to malnutrition of tissues. Uterine contractions, in turn, are caused by increased levels of prostaglandins.

In addition to causes directly related to the internal genital organs, painful periods can be observed in cases where a woman has flat feet, posture disorders. A certain role is also assigned to the psychological state of a woman. Some women have a subconscious expectation of the onset of a painful menstrual cycle, and therefore, when menstruation occurs or approaches, a woman experiences fear that enhances even the usual discomfort that characterizes these days of the month. That is why in each case it is important to determine which component plays a primary role - biological or psychological, and if both are present, then the doctor should determine which of them is dominant.

Classification

Painful periods are classified according to various criteria.
Depending on the cause of occurrence, algomenorrhea is divided into:

Primary;

Secondary.

Painful periods come in three degrees of severity:

Easy;

Middle;

Severe (with disability),

Complications

With painful menstruation, complications and with mild or moderate severity are not observed. In severe cases, disability (short-term, temporary) and the development of severe forms of depression are possible. With secondary algomenorrhea, complications are not directly related to the pain syndrome, but are determined by the underlying disease and its course.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis

Diagnosis of painful periods is not a problem, since complaints of pain during the menstrual cycle is the main and sufficient sign to make a diagnosis of algomenorrhea. For a doctor, the main task is to find out the true causes and answer the question: why painful periods. Examination of the patient allows you to identify those gynecological or general diseases that caused the development of secondary algomenorrhea. Depending on the established diagnosis, tactics of management are chosen, the doctor can prescribe treatment and give recommendations.

For diagnostic purposes, the following is prescribed:

General clinical examination;

Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;

Laparoscopy;

Dopplerography of vessels (to detect varicose veins of the small pelvis);

Psychologist consultation.

Treatment

In the treatment of painful periods, not only the elimination of pain syndrome is of great importance, but also adequate therapy of the underlying disease.
Methods of therapy are divided into drug and non-drug.

Medical treatment for painful periods
The main drugs for the treatment of painful periods are: antispasmodics and analgesics. It is noted that a combination of no-shpa and nurofen gives a good effect. In addition, in many cases, oral contraceptives are effective, for example, Diane-35, Yarina. Good help is provided by vitamin E, which must be taken in courses.

Non-drug treatments for painful periods
If you have painful periods, pills are not always the only way to relieve pain. There are many other, non-pharmacological methods that may not completely eliminate the pain, but will help to significantly reduce its intensity and duration.

For women with painful menstrual cycles, the following measures are recommended:

Compliance with the daily routine;

Full sleep;

Sports (to strengthen the press);

Diet (reducing the consumption of high-calorie foods, increasing the menu of fruits, vegetables and liquids);

Complete cessation of smoking and alcohol;

Reducing emotional overwork, minimizing stressful situations;

Yoga classes ;

Point and general massage;

Electrophoresis with novocaine on the solar plexus area (6-8 sessions are prescribed in such a way as to finish them by the beginning of menstruation).

Folk remedies

There are many proven traditional medicine recipes that will help reduce pain during menstruation. We recommend that you take advantage of some of them.:

Horsetail. To prepare a solution of 1 tbsp. a spoonful of horsetail should be poured with 300 ml of boiling water, thawed for 1 hour. Take 50 mg every hour. As the pain subsides, you can increase the interval between doses.

water pepper. Leaves and stems (2 tablespoons) pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, cook for 10 minutes. After cooling, drink 100 ml 3 times a day.

Collection of herbs: field horsetail, knotweed grass, centaury, goose cinquefoil (ratio 1:1:3:5). We take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of the mixture, steamed with 1 cup of boiling water. Leave to brew for 1 hour, then take a sip throughout the first day of menstruation.

Elecampane root. We steam 1 teaspoon with boiling water. You need to insist 1 hour, then take 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day.

Lovage root. Steamed with boiling water 1 tbsp. a spoonful of roots, keep in a steam bath for 30 minutes. Cool, filter, then take 3 times a day for 1-2 tbsp. spoons.

fragrant celery root. Fill with cold water 2 tbsp. spoons, insist 2 hours, filter, take 1/3 cup three times a day.

Wild strawberry leaves. We take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of leaves, pour 1 glass of cold water, insist about 6-8 hours. Take 1/2 cup per day.

Mixture: peppermint leaves, valerian root, chamomile flowers (ratio 1:1:2). Pour boiling water over 1 tbsp. a spoonful of the mixture, insist 30 minutes. You should take 2 tbsp. spoons 3 times a day.

Prognosis for painful periods

With painful menstruation of a primary nature, the prognosis is favorable. If algomenorrhea is secondary, then the prognosis is determined by the underlying disease.

Preventive measures

If a woman suffers from a painful menstrual cycle, then the first thing to do is to consult a doctor. Only a competent consultation with a doctor will help to find out the real cause and consider options for solving the problem.

In addition, there are a number of measures, following which you can reduce the intensity of pain. Some of them need to be used constantly, that is, made part of your lifestyle (playing sports, going to the pool, quitting smoking and alcohol, diet), and there are those that need to be used immediately before the next menstruation.

The latter include the following: before the onset of menstruation, you can take a warm bath with essential oils, drink tea with soothing herbs and sleep well. And it is also very important to tune in to positive emotions. This harmless set of measures will improve your overall well-being, and the upcoming periods will not be so painful.
Stay healthy!

The appearance of pain during menstruation is a very urgent problem for many girls and women. According to statistics from various sources, dysmenorrhea is observed in 30-90% of the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. In about 10% of cases, very painful periods lead to loss of performance and disruption of daily activities. The maximum peak incidence occurs between the ages of 18 and 24. However, it can occur in any girl and woman from the first menstruation to the onset of menopause.

In accordance with medical terminology, a pathological condition characterized by a violation of the menstrual cycle in the form of pain during menstruation of varying intensity is commonly called dysmenorrhea. However, the term "algodysmenorrhea" is considered obsolete and is practically not used.

Cause

Why do painful periods occur? Despite the modern level of medicine, most experts are unlikely to be able to give an unambiguous answer to this question. The exact cause of painful periods in primary dysmenorrhea is still unknown. Some scientists associate its occurrence exclusively with functional disorders in the female body.

There are suggestions about the influence of excessive production of prostaglandins on the development of primary dysmenorrhea, which provoke uterine contraction, vasospasm and impaired microcirculation in the myometrium (ischemia). As evidence for this theory, the results of menstrual blood tests are cited, in which an increase in the level of prostaglandins by 2–4 times is found, compared with the norm.

The development of secondary dysmenorrhea is based on various diseases or structural changes in the female reproductive system. The most common causes of painful periods with this form of pathology:

Endometriosis.
Myoma of the uterus.
Congenital anomalies in the development of the genital organs.
Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system.
Serious problems with the blood vessels of the small pelvis (for example, varicose veins).

If you're not sure what to do about painful periods, make an appointment with a medical specialist.

Severity

Depending on the severity of the pain syndrome, several degrees of severity of dysmenorrhea are distinguished. What are the criteria for evaluating this violation of the menstrual cycle:

First degree. Painful sensations during menstruation are mild. In rare cases, they affect professional and daily activities. There are no systemic manifestations. Painkillers (analgesics) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are sometimes taken to relieve pain.
Second degree. Painful periods interfere with daily life. Engaging in professional activities (training, work, etc.) is possible only after taking painkillers. Single systemic symptoms are observed.
Third degree. There is a sharp decrease in professional and daily activity. Quite often there are systemic manifestations (headache, depression, sleep disturbance, problems with appetite, fainting, nausea, etc.). Taking painkillers does not bring the desired effect.

The early first menstruation in a child aged 10-12 years is often accompanied by painful sensations.

Features of primary dysmenorrhea

In most cases, primary dysmenorrhea begins to appear in adolescents 1–2 years after the onset of menstruation. Young girls of asthenic constitution are more often ill. Clinical picture of primary dysmenorrhea:

Painful periods occur 12 to 24 hours before or with the onset of menstruation. As a rule, several days last.

The pains are cramping in nature and are localized in the lower abdomen. Sometimes they complain of aching, twitching or bursting pains that spread to the perineum and lower back.
In parallel, there is a deterioration in the general condition. There is weakness, irritability, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, fainting, etc.
Systemic clinical symptoms, including pain syndrome, can disturb a woman from 2–3 hours to several days.

Gynecological and ultrasound examination of girls and women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea does not reveal pathological changes in the organs of the reproductive system. The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical examination and patient complaints.

Features of secondary dysmenorrhea

As clinical practice shows, secondary dysmenorrhea is a manifestation of many gynecological diseases (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, anomalies in the development of the organs of the reproductive system, etc.). The main group of patients are women over 30 years of age with a history of childbirth, miscarriage, artificial termination of pregnancy, infectious or inflammatory gynecological diseases. It should be noted that painful menstruation in secondary dysmenorrhea most often develops due to endometriosis.

Basically, there are constant aching pains throughout the cycle. A few days before menstruation can increase significantly. When uterine fibroids are characterized by cramping pain. If a woman has secondary dysmenorrhea, then some intrauterine pathology will be determined thanks to an ultrasound examination. This is the main distinguishing feature from the primary form. If necessary, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy can be used as a method for diagnosis and simultaneous treatment.

The cause of painful menstruation, which is very pronounced, is often an organic pathology.

Treatment

What to do with painful periods in a teenager, girl and woman? Regardless of age, painkillers (Ibuprofen, Tamipul, Spazmalgon, No-shpa, etc.) are used as emergency care for severe pain during menstruation. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that applying a heating pad or carrying out other warm procedures in the lower abdomen in such cases is contraindicated, since in the presence of an infectious or inflammatory disease in this area, serious complications cannot be avoided. Timely seeking help from a specialist doctor is the only sure way to get rid of pain during menstruation.

Methods of getting rid of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea are somewhat different. In the vast majority of cases, with primary dysmenorrhea, an integrated approach to treatment is used, which includes:

Drug therapy (painkillers, antispasmodics, tranquilizers, vitamins, etc.).
Non-drug treatment (psychotherapy, physiotherapy).
Folk remedies (at the discretion of the attending physician).

It is possible to successfully cure secondary dysmenorrhea only if the underlying disease (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, etc.) is finally eliminated. During exacerbations, symptomatic therapy may be prescribed, which consists in taking painkillers.

Only a qualified specialist, after conducting a thorough examination, is able to determine what can hurt in the lower abdomen.

Drug therapy

The main goal of treating primary dysmenorrhea is to eliminate pain, eliminate autonomic disorders and normalize the mental state. The determining factor in the appointment of drug therapy is the severity of the disease. In a mild form, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken, which are considered basic therapy. If more severe forms of the disease are observed, not only NSAIDs are used, but also drugs based on gestagens, nootropics and drugs that improve cerebral circulation.

Given the risk/benefit ratio, Ibuprofen is considered the best option for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea among all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have been clinically studied. It has been proven that when it is used, the production of prostaglandins in the uterine mucosa is suppressed to a normal level. In addition, it does not affect the change in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Also, Ibuprofen is characterized by a peripheral and central analgesic effect. Nevertheless, the dosage and duration of taking NSAIDs must be agreed with your doctor.

Magnesium preparations can be added to the course of treatment in case of a shortage of this microelement in the body. With very painful periods, constantly disturbing a woman, it is recommended to prescribe combined oral contraceptives. They help reduce estrogen levels, which leads to a decrease in the production of prostaglandins and the elimination of pain. They also provide a decrease in the threshold of excitability of the myometrium. Preparations containing gestagens have a similar effect.

To increase efficiency, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and combined oral contraceptives can be combined. Vitamin E also has a positive effect. Not so long ago, antispasmodic drugs were actively used to treat pain. Now their use is not so popular.

Summarizing all of the above, we can state that drug therapy for primary dysmenorrhea consists of:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Tamipul, Naproxen, etc.).
Antispasmodic drugs (No-shpa, Spazmalgon).
Combined oral contraceptives or preparations containing gestagens.
Calming drugs - tranquilizers (Relanium).
Homeopathic medicines (Remens, Menalgin).
Vitamin E.

To avoid the development of unwanted side effects and complications, the attending physician must determine what should be taken for painful periods.

Non-drug therapy

An excellent effect in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea gives psychotherapy. Special relaxation and distraction techniques help to successfully cope with painful periods. Especially recommended for teenagers and young girls. Various physiotherapeutic procedures are also actively used as non-drug therapy. The following types of physiotherapy are most popular:

Reflexology.
Amplipulse therapy.
Magnetotherapy.
diadynamic currents.
Electrosleep.
Ultrahigh frequency therapy.
Ultraviolet irradiation in erythemal doses.
Balneotherapy.

Physical methods of influencing the female body help to normalize the regulation of the menstrual cycle, reduce the inflammatory process in the reproductive system, improve peripheral blood circulation (microcirculation) and stimulate reproductive function. However, there are situations when most physiotherapy procedures cannot be used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Among the main contraindications are:

Acute inflammatory pathology of the uterus and appendages.
Endometriosis.
Malignant tumors.
Serious diseases of the central nervous system.
anemic syndrome.

If you do not find out the reason why menstruation is very painful on the first, second or any other day, the symptoms will recur.

ethnoscience

Often, many girls and women with painful periods, which are of a permanent nature, resort to treatment with folk remedies. However, do not forget that the independent use of folk remedies in the treatment of primary or secondary dysmenorrhea without the knowledge of the attending physician often ends in serious complications. Solely for reference, we list several recipes of traditional medicine that can help with pain during menstruation:

Celery infusion. Half a teaspoon of celery seeds is poured into a glass of boiled water. Insist for 9 hours. Use an infusion of celery seeds in a tablespoon four times a day for half an hour before meals.
Strawberry leaves. Half a tablespoon of a medicinal plant is poured into 200 ml of boiled water. It is necessary to let it brew for 8 hours. At the end of the term, the infusion of strawberry leaves is filtered. Take 100 ml twice a day. If you cook a decoction, then it is boiled over low heat for half an hour.
Calendula. To prepare the infusion, we take a medicinal plant at the rate of 3 tablespoons per 500 ml of boiling water. Leave the container with the solution for 120 minutes in a dark place. An infusion of calendula is used to wash the vagina (douching) three times a day. The course of treatment can last up to 5 days.
Melissa. In a glass of boiled water, put 2 tablespoons of chopped lemon balm leaves. The infusion process should last at least two hours. Drink an infusion of lemon balm should be 100 ml three times a day.

Adjust your daily work/rest/sleep schedule.
Go for a balanced diet. During menstruation, easily digestible and vitamin-rich foods should prevail.
Control your weight. Sudden weight loss or weight gain adversely affects menstrual function.
It is advisable to regularly take vitamin and mineral complexes.
Do not get carried away with strong coffee and tea.
Learn to deal effectively with stressful situations and emotional stress.
Walk outdoors more often.
Adhere to the optimal motor mode. Physical activity is selected taking into account the age and general condition of the girl.
Bad habits (smoking, alcohol) negatively affect the female body. By switching to a healthy lifestyle, you will create serious prerequisites for improving the functioning of all organs and systems, including the reproductive one.

If the form of dysmenorrhea (primary or secondary) is not defined, prolonged use of painkillers and tranquilizers is strongly discouraged.