Pain during menses. Severe pain during menstruation. Severe spasms that regular painkillers don't help

Every month, women have critical days. Nobody likes this period, and some are waiting for it with fear because of the terrible cramping pains. There are times when a representative of the weaker sex is forced to stay at home and call an ambulance, as she feels terrible. What causes severe pain during menstruation, how to prevent their occurrence and relieve spasms, if they have already appeared, you need to know in order to be able to help yourself before visiting the doctor.

Why does the lower abdomen hurt

Dysmenorrhea- these are the ones that accompany menstruation. They arise due to the fact that within a month the epithelium grows in the uterus, to which the embryo will attach after fertilization, and if this does not happen, the body gets rid of it by bleeding. Doctors have found that it is impossible to get pregnant on the first day of the cycle.

During menstruation, a woman experiences a slight malaise, discomfort in the abdomen and fatigue. However, this does not prevent her from adhering to the usual rhythm of life. If the critical days are very painful, and the cycle is irregular, then you need to contact a gynecologist.

Types of pain during menstruation

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary.

Primary occurs within two years from the beginning of the girl's first menstruation in her life. It is not associated with any pathologies, and the pain is natural and occurs due to the expulsion of an unfertilized egg from the ovary. This kind of discomfort usually disappears after the first birth. With primary dysmenorrhea, the cycle does not go astray, but remains normal and regular.

Secondary, or as it is also called, acquired dysmenorrhea, occurs due to diseases and changes in the genitals. It appears more often in the fairer sex over 30 years of age and is accompanied by cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia and vegetovascular abnormalities (, dizziness).

If the discomfort does not change over the years, then such dysmenorrhea is called compensated. If the pain only increases with age, then, accordingly, decompensated.

Varieties of associated ailments

In addition to pulling pains in the genital area, menstruation may be accompanied by:

Discomfort in the heart.
Severe headaches or migraines.
Rapid fatigue.
Discomfort in the eye area.
Sleep disturbance.
Pressure surges.
Irritability and depressed mood.
Puffiness.
Mood swings.
Back pain.
Dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Increased sweating.
Pain or tenderness in the breasts.
Constipation, diarrhea or other abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract.

The severity of dysmenorrhea

There are 4 types of pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation:

Causes of menstrual pain

Menstrual pain can occur due to the following factors.

Incorrect arrangement of internal organs, in particular, the uterus.
Formed adhesions and scars after artificial termination of pregnancy (abortion).
Heredity.
Constant psycho-emotional stress.
Lack of iron, calcium and magnesium in the body.
Hormonal disruptions.
Avitaminosis.
Installed intrauterine device.
Ectopic pregnancy.
Sedentary and inactive lifestyle.
Inflammation in the pelvis.
Diseases like uterine fibroids, endometriosis.
The formation of cysts or polyps in the uterus.
Sexually transmitted infections.

If the sensations do not interfere with the normal activity of the girl, then do not worry and draw hasty conclusions. If spasms interfere very strongly and cannot be tolerated, then it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Treatment of dysmenorrhea

When medications no longer help to get rid of terrible symptoms and a woman is forced to give up all her duties for several days every month, then a gynecological examination is vital.

Most of the drugs your doctor will prescribe are aimed at reducing the amount of prostaglandins produced and thereby reducing the uterine contractions that cause seizures.

The doctor may prescribe low-dose hormonal drugs - oral contraceptives. Anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs and antispasmodics will also have an impact.

Some time before the start of menstruation, the doctor prescribes complex preparations, which include iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamins. You need to drink them in advance so that by the beginning of the cycle the necessary microelements accumulate in the body and have the desired effect.

Electrophoresis and UHF provide pain relief and warming. These procedures will help remove pain, but it is also better to start them in advance.

Treatment at home

If menstruation is regular, the pain is tolerable and there is no need to revise your schedule, then you can alleviate the patient's condition at home in the following ways:

Lie down for a while in the fetal position (on your side with your legs tucked in).
Stand under a warm shower, which will relax the muscles and dilate the blood vessels.
Massage the abdomen in circular motions clockwise and massage the lower back.
Attend a yoga class or do a little exercise at home (body rotation in different directions, tilts).
Take an antispasmodic or pain reliever.
Before and after menstruation, take baths with the addition of sea salt for about 20 minutes. During spasms, apply compresses from it to the lower abdomen.
A 15-minute ice pack will help relieve tension and reduce bleeding.
Drink mint and chamomile tea several times a day.
In the absence of contraindications, you can rub a solution of essential oils into the lower abdomen and sacrum: 5 drops of sage and yarrow and 50 ml of St. John's wort.

For prevention, doctors advise doing yoga and swimming, which relax the muscles. Do not overwork, be very nervous and drink alcohol, especially during and before menstruation. Limit your intake of foods that cause bloating and sugary foods. But chocolate, on the contrary, will help the production of endorphins. It is best to lead a healthy lifestyle and get rid of the causes of pain during menstruation than to suffer and treat their consequences in the future.

Hello dear readers. Let's figure out what to do at home if your stomach hurts during your period. After all, it is no secret that menstruation for several days gives women discomfort. Some simply experience discomfort in the first days, but there are those to whom “this inevitability” causes real pain, knocking out of the usual rhythm for some time. This condition can be accompanied by feelings of nausea, bloating or diarrhea, headache, migraine, heightened sense of smell, or even pain when touching the body.

Why does the lower abdomen hurt during menstruation

According to research, doctors have found that at this time, more than 80% of women suffer from severe pain in the lower abdomen. This is due to the fact that during such a period in the body, substances that are responsible for inflammation and pain accumulate in large quantities.

They increase the ability of the uterus to contract, and spasms are formed that disrupt blood circulation, lead to local irritation of the nerve endings. Thus, pain appears, which lasts only the first days, or throughout the entire menstruation.

There are other reasons why pain occurs:

The peculiarity of the location of the uterus and pressure on the nerve receptors.
Low sensitivity to pain.
Hormonal background.
Increased pain after 30 years.
High levels of the hormone estrogen.
ongoing inflammatory processes.
Consequences of injuries or operations.
An installed pregnancy protection coil can cause pain during menstruation.

In medical terms, pain can be explained by the fact that the hormone prostaglandin causes uterine contractions.

The greater its concentration, the more it contracts, causing discomfort. Plus, this adds a feeling of nausea, headache or even vomiting.

Violation of the cycle also leads to pain that occurs before and during menstruation. At a young age, when the cycle is just beginning to form, many suffer from painful sensations. When dealing with complaints, the doctor may prescribe a course of examinations.

After which, most often a diagnosis is made, called algomenorrhea. It is his symptoms that are pain in the abdomen, passing into the upper parts of the legs, sleep disturbance or sweating. For some, menstrual pain stops after the first birth.

If menstrual pain is simply unbearable, then its causes may be:

cyst on the ovaries;
endometriosis;
lack of calcium in the blood;
bending of the uterus;
inflammation in the pelvic organs;
miscarriage.

It is impossible to independently determine what is the cause. To determine the root cause of painful periods, you should consult a doctor.

How to relieve period pain

There is no one universal way that will save all women from regular pain.

It simply cannot be, because it happens differently for everyone. Pain can be a harbinger of the onset of menstruation and continue for the first days, or cause discomfort until they end.

Each should find its own way, if not complete deliverance, then at least reduction of these sensations by selection.

To reduce pain, you can observe the following points:

Find time to rest. In work, you need to take breaks and weekends, make sure that the body is not overloaded.
Take time to sleep, go to bed at the same time.
Make a daily routine and follow it. In this case, the nervous system will begin to rest.
Do not overcool the body. Drafts or improperly chosen clothes for the weather will lead to inflammation that disrupts the cycle.
Monitor nutrition, it should be not only correct, but also balanced (reduce the amount of flour products, fried foods, eliminate alcohol).
Drink clean water without gas.
Stop smoking.
Sign up and attend a gym or yoga classes.
Go to the sauna (stress will be reduced).
Spend more time walking.
Practice hardening.

Intimate gymnastics will help reduce the feeling of pain. When performing Kegel exercises, strengthening occurs, elasticity and tone of the muscles of the perineum increase. Thus, in the reproductive organs, blood supply improves and the likelihood of inflammatory processes decreases.

A prerequisite before using the technique is a medical consultation, which will identify possible contraindications.

Stomach hurts during menstruation - what to do

Why it hurts from the abdomen during menstruation, we figured it out. Remember, with very severe pain, you should consult a gynecologist. Now let's figure out what can be done at home if the stomach hurts during menstruation. You can take pills, folk remedies, follow the daily routine, do exercises, but first things first.

1. Folk remedies

Not all women want to use drugs for various reasons (side effects, a number of contraindications, fear of addiction, allergies) to cope with monthly pain. In such cases, some folk remedies are suitable.

Dry heat (heater or bottle filled with water)

It is necessary to lie on your back, applying warm to the stomach. After that, blood flow in the uterus will increase, and the feeling of pain will decrease. It is important not to hold more than 5-7 minutes, so as not to cause heavy bleeding.

Warm herbal tea

You can use fees or individual types of herbs. Help reduce pain:

melissa or mint (the main herbs for women's health, have a calming effect, normalize the cycle, relieve sleep disorders);
chamomile (the oils contained in it will soothe pain, strengthen the immune and nervous systems);
raspberry leaves (has the ability to relieve menstrual pain and regulate the cycle);
crushed elecampane root (capable of normalizing hormones in the female body, reduces the feeling of pain on critical days, is also useful for infertility);
horsetail (during painful periods, it has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, is used as a tonic drink).

Pain Relief Drink Recipes

Pour 3 teaspoons of dry raspberry leaves with a glass of boiling water, let it brew. Drink throughout the day in portions, 50 ml.

Pour 1 teaspoon of dry elecampane root with a glass of boiling water, insist for an hour. Drink a tablespoon, three times a day.

2. Massage

It has a relaxing effect, reduces pain and strengthens the body. Regular sessions will positively affect the internal organs.

3. Medications

The simplest and first thing that comes to mind for getting rid of menstrual pain is to take a pill. Doctors also prescribe medications of various actions to get rid of discomfort. Some of them:

sedatives
They are also used during PMS to improve mood, eliminate tearfulness and irritability. Have a good effect: tincture or tablets of valerian, motherwort. To restore sleep, the doctor may prescribe a course of sleeping pills or “evening” herbal pills.
Painkillers
The most effective drugs that quickly relieve pain these days include: Ketanov, Pentalgin, Ibuprofen, Analgin, Ketorol.
Antispasmodics
Many women are helped by No-shpa, it is often replaced with an analogue called Drotaverine or Papaverine.

A course of taking vitamins B, E, calcium or Magne B6, the Supradin complex will help prevent pain. If primary algomenorrhea is detected, then contraceptives or progestins are prescribed.

4. Exercise

You can reduce menstrual pain by using the proper breathing system. To do this, you need to lie on your back, place a light object on your stomach (you can use a book).

Breathe only through the nose, at the same time making a movement with the wall of the abdomen, making sure that the object rises in time. For 5-7 seconds, you will have to keep the abdominal muscles in a tense state. This exercise should be done for two minutes. The pain in the lower abdomen will gradually subside.

Acupressure acts on areas of pain with the help of active points. Kneeling, it is necessary to pinch the hips. Then press with the elbow, first from the outside of the thigh towards the knee.

At the end, walk along the inside, heading towards the pelvis. The next option is to press on a point that is 4 fingers higher on the inside of the ankle. A good effect occurs after clicking on the points located:

below the navel and in the inguinal region;
in the center of the back, on the coccyx;
in the middle of the leg, on the inside.

Effective exercises for painful periods

Lying flat on your back, bend your legs, feet should rest on the floor, while keeping your arms parallel to the floor, along the torso. Within two minutes, do smooth backbends with your stomach, with relaxed muscles. Repeat - 5 times.
Lying on your back, press your buttocks to it. With knees bent, place your feet on the wall. Fix your position for 5 minutes.
Moving away from the wall, bend one leg as close to the chin as possible. Leave the other one on the floor.
The simplest thing is to kneel with your hands on the floor, lower your head between them, stay in this position for only 2 minutes.
Yoga practitioners can use Cobra Pose for menstrual cramps. Lying on your stomach, straining your knees, bring your feet together and exhale. Then raise the torso up, tilting the head back, inhale and exhale twice. Keeping the buttocks tense, fix for 2 minutes.

Taking vitamins, adjusting the daily routine and using herbal infusions, you can reduce menstrual pain that is not caused by injuries or a feature of the body.

In fact, this is a natural process that he will cope with on his own after a certain time. Using the suggested tips and doing simple exercises, the pains that torment many women every month will go away. And life will not stop on such days because of discomfort.

There are women who consider the most terrible days in their lives - critical. Dysmenorrhea, or very severe pain during menstruation, the causes of which can only be identified by a gynecologist, simply unsettles the ladies. Such symptoms are not normal, but signal serious health problems. Here you can not hesitate, you should consult a doctor for help as soon as possible.

What is the menstrual period

Menstruation, or menstruation, is the process of rejection of a certain part of the endometrium, during which bleeding occurs. menstruation is considered the beginning of the menstrual cycle. During this period, a woman cannot become pregnant.

During monthly bleeding, an intense contraction of the uterine muscles occurs. Vasospasm occurs, which prevents the proper nutrition of tissues, and therefore there is severe pain during menstruation. The reasons for this lie in the increased level of prostaglandins in the blood. That is, during the whole month, the uterus prepares for the fertilization of the egg, and its internal cavity is covered with small blood vessels, which should nourish the embryo in case of conception. If pregnancy does not occur, then these tissues become unnecessary for the body. He seeks to get rid of them by bleeding.

The situation is reminiscent of a “mini-birth”, where the uterus contracts and tries to push out unnecessary tissues, while opening the cervix. Moderate pain here is quite acceptable, but severe pain indicates health problems. You do not need to endure them and you need to do everything possible to get rid of monthly soreness.

Severe pain during menstruation: causes

As a rule, behind such an uncomfortable state lies a number of very different factors, these are:

violation of the hormonal background of a woman;
inflammation of the uterus or appendages;
endometriosis, including adenomyosis;
myoma (fibromyoma) or any other formation in the uterus;
polyps in the uterine environment;
violation of the production of progesterone;
ovarian cyst;
ectopic pregnancy.

Can cause stress and prolonged nervous tension severe pain during menstruation. The reasons will help to establish a specialist. So, a gynecologist should be contacted with prolonged menstruation, which lasts more than seven days and is accompanied by very severe pain. You should go to the doctor with an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C. Of particular concern are symptoms that occur for the first time in a woman. And severe pain in the first days of menstruation. The reasons must be clarified.

A type of dysmenorrhea

There are primary and secondary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). The first occurs as a result of a failure in the production of progesterone. This is a kind of response to the non-fertilization of the egg. The woman experiences pain during the release of the egg from the ovary. In the absence of ovulation, the body begins to rebel and experiences a number of ailments. These are abdominal pains, migraine, dizziness and nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, neuropsychological disorder, etc.

Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs if there is or appendages. In addition, pain in the lower abdomen may indicate an inflammatory process in the abdominal cavity, pregnancy. These may be the consequences of surgery, trauma or a viral disease. Similar ailments provoke and some methods of protection from unwanted pregnancy. For example, a spiral.

Types of ailments

Severe pain during menstruation, the causes of which often speak of health problems, can be different, these are:

headache (migraine);
discomfort, increased pressure in the eye area;
sharp jumps in blood pressure;
discomfort in the heart;
nausea, dizziness and vomiting;
excessive sweating;
depression, irritability;
mood swings;
sleep disturbance;
fast fatiguability;
puffiness;
excessive sensitivity of the breast;
lower back pain;
violation of the gastrointestinal tract (flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, etc.).

It has been proven that most women experience some discomfort during menstruation (especially on the first day) between the ages of 13 and 45.

About pain syndrome of varying severity

Changes in the chemical composition of the blood during menstruation affect the functions of the brain, which causes migraines. A similar condition can be caused by a violation of the water-salt balance. In order for the body to be able to fully carry out the process of cell rejection during the menstrual period, it accumulates fluid, which then participates in this process. Causes swelling of the limbs, articular part and brain tissue. All this provokes a severe headache during and before menstruation.

Lower abdominal pain

Severe abdominal pain during menstruation, the causes of which each woman has her own, occurs in many. Moderately manifested pain is considered the norm, while severe ones indicate certain disorders in the gynecological field.

Pain in the abdomen can be weak, moderate and strong. They appear in the depths of the pelvis as a dull, pulling or pressing pain. They can be constant or pulsating. Pain syndrome is considered normal, which begins to manifest itself before the onset of critical days and disappears immediately after the end of menstruation.

Severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation, the causes of which are often not established, can be combined with migraine, accompanied by a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Such a state cannot be considered normal. In this case, you should undergo a complete medical examination.

Consequences of painful menstruation

Very severe pain during menstruation, the causes and consequences of which must be identified by a gynecologist, lead to a complete loss of ability to work. They affect the well-being, the psychological state of a woman.

The mild and moderate form does not cause complications. The average pain syndrome, provoked by diseases of the genital organs and pathologies, can progress due to the development of a gynecological disease. At the same time, the pain itself does not have any effect on the complication of the symptom.

Menstruation should not be accompanied by very severe pain, depriving a woman of full capacity. The treatment of such symptoms is not limited to painkillers, you should look for the true cause and eliminate it. Severe pain is exhausting. They are hard to endure not only physically, but also emotionally, because it harms the nervous system. In addition, the constant use of anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers is addictive and a number of side effects.

Very painful critical days signal a serious problem in the body. It is simply necessary to treat such periods.

Diagnosis of painful menstruation

Severe pain during menstruation, the causes and treatment of which will help establish the correct diagnosis, is a real problem for a woman. To begin with, the lady should visit her gynecologist, who can prescribe the following:

hormone analysis;
pelvic ultrasound;
laparoscopy;
scraping for the study of intrauterine material;
general clinical examination;
dopplerography of vessels.

In addition, a woman must constantly keep a diary of the monthly cycle and a calendar of critical days. All the symptoms that were present during this period are entered there. Length of menstruation, profusion. All this helps to establish the severity of the disease. The specialist may also advise to be examined by a neurologist, psychotherapist and osteopath. Often, at the end of the examination, a diagnosis of algomenorrhea is made. Treatment is prescribed depending on the severity.

Treatment of menstrual pain

Menstrual pain affects 90% of women aged 18 to 35 years. Such pains are often intense, so the timely intake of an effective analgesic helps patients restore the rhythm of life and completely eliminate menstrual pain.

Dialrapid is a fast-acting analgesic that eliminates pain of any intensity. Potassium bicarbonate acts as a pH buffer, providing the drug with complete dissolution in water, and subsequently creating a microenvironment around the active substance - diclofenac potassium. It is this microenvironment that promotes accelerated absorption and helps the drug to be completely absorbed by the body. The pronounced effect of Dialrapid shows in the first 5 minutes after application. The powder is absorbed by the body almost as quickly as an injection, and unlike its tablet counterparts, it has a high peak plasma concentration.

Folk remedies that can reduce pain

Very severe pain during menstruation, the causes of which lie in the diseases of a number of organs, can be eliminated by traditional medicine.

The pain symptom will help to remove. To prepare the infusion, pour a tablespoon of herbs with a mug (300 ml) of boiling water. Let it brew for an hour. Drink 50 mg every hour and reduce the dose as the pain subsides.

Severe pain before menstruation, the causes of which are individual for each woman, is able to remove water pepper. Two tablespoons of the plant are poured with half a liter of boiling water, after which the mixture is boiled over a fire for another 10 minutes. Before use, the herbal infusion must be cooled and filtered. Eat three times a day for 100 gr.

The collection of the following herbs will help relieve soreness: knotweed, centaury, horsetail, in a ratio of 1:3:1:5. Here, a tablespoon of the mixture is steamed with a glass of boiled water. They insist on an hour. Drink one sip throughout

Elecampane root helps to cope with pain. Pour a teaspoon with a glass of boiled water, wait an hour, filter. Use a tablespoon in the morning, afternoon and evening.

These and other folk recipes are able to overcome menstrual pain, so they cannot be discounted.

Preventive measures

Delivers a lot of problems severe pain during menstruation. How to treat it without drugs and what to do so that in the future such a symptom does not bother? So, the following measures help to eliminate the cause and have a preventive effect on the body:

Correct schedule.
Complete sleep.
Physical exercise, including swimming.
Dietary menu with a predominance of raw vegetables and fruits.
Drinking the right amount of water, at least 1.5 liters per day.
Refusal of bad habits (alcohol and cigarettes).
Relaxation and getting rid of stress, depression.
Yoga, acupuncture, massage, electrophoresis with novocaine.
Soothing herbal tea.
Bath with essential oils.

Such events will best affect the health of a woman, her well-being and reduce the pain of menstruation. They can get rid of this discomfort forever.

There are contraindications. It is necessary to consult with a specialist.

Update: December 2018

Moderate pain during menstruation occurs in about 70% of girls and women of childbearing age. The pain syndrome that accompanies menstruation can be of varying intensity. Unsharply expressed pain, only slight discomfort, especially in nulliparous women, is considered a normal physiological phenomenon.

However, if every month a woman experiences unbearable, severe pain during menstruation, accompanied by diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, vomiting and other symptoms that make a woman unable to work, there really are obvious “critical days” - this is usually referred to in medicine as a disease of algomenorrhea. Such symptoms indicate that a young woman has various disorders in the hormonal, vascular, sexual, nervous or other body systems.

If the causes of painful periods are established, then the treatment of these disorders can significantly alleviate the condition, improve the tolerance of such a natural process in a woman's body as menstruation. In this article, we will tell you why girls and women experience painful periods, the causes and treatment of such a disorder.

What other symptoms can accompany painful periods and why is it considered a disease?

In medicine, very painful periods are considered as the most common menstrual disorders. Between the ages of 13 and 45, almost all women experience mild discomfort and soreness on the first day of their menstrual bleeding. And only 10% of them complain of very strong cramping spastic pains from uterine contractions, which are also supplemented by the following symptoms:

79% of women experience diarrhea
84% vomit
13% headache
23% dizzy
16% fainting

The main symptom of algomenorrhea is pain in the lower abdomen, which appears on the 1st day of menstruation or 12 hours before it begins, it gradually subsides by 2-3 days, it can be aching, twitching, stabbing, radiating to the rectum, bladder, also maybe . Against the background of unbearable pain during menstruation, a woman's psycho-emotional state is disturbed, irritability, drowsiness, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and weakness appear. Painful periods poison a woman's life, the expectation of another bleeding adversely affects the psyche, the emotional sphere of life, leads to conflicts in the family, at work.

With a mild degree of algomenorrhea - short-term, moderate pain during menstruation does not lead to loss of working capacity and activity, such pain can be tolerated without additional pain medication, however, the causes of painful periods should be clarified, since even a mild degree of algomenorrhea can become more pronounced in the future, with more severe discomfort. Sometimes, after childbirth, a mild degree of algomenorrhea stops in women and uterine contractions become not so painful, its increase during pregnancy and contraction after pregnancy further weakens spastic pain during menstruation.

With an average degree - pulling pains in the lower abdomen are complemented by general weakness, nausea, chills, and frequent urination. Psycho-emotional disorders also join - depression, irritability, intolerance to pungent odors and sounds, performance is noticeably reduced. This degree of algomenorrhea already needs medical correction, and the causes of pain should also be clarified.

In severe cases, very intense pain in the lower back and abdomen is accompanied by headache, general weakness, fever, pain in the heart, diarrhea, fainting, vomiting. In a severe case of painful menstruation, a woman completely loses her ability to work, usually their occurrence is associated either with infectious and inflammatory diseases or with congenital pathologies of the genital organs.

The main causes of primary painful menstruation in adolescent girls

Primary algomenorrhea appears with the first menstruation or develops within 3 years after the onset of menstruation. It mostly happens in easily excitable, emotionally unstable girls, with an asthenic physique, in combination with. Depending on the accompanying "set" of symptoms, primary painful periods are divided into:

Adrenergic type

In this case, the level of the hormones dopamine, adrenaline, norepinephrine rises, provoking a failure of the entire hormonal system of the body. Girls develop constipation, severe headache, body temperature rises, heart rate increases, insomnia appears, legs and arms become bluish in color with spasm of small vessels, the body and face turn pale.

Parasympathetic type

It is characterized by an increase in the level of the hormone serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid. In girls, on the contrary, the heart rate decreases, nausea with vomiting appears, body temperature decreases, gastrointestinal disorders are expressed by diarrhea, swelling of the limbs and face often appears, allergic reactions on the skin, girls gain weight.

Modern research establishes the fact that primary painful menstruation is not an independent disease, but a manifestation of deeper internal disorders, that is, symptoms of the following diseases or abnormalities:

Congenital malformations of connective tissue development

In gynecological practice, it has long been established that approximately 60% of girls with primary algomenorrhea are diagnosed with genetically determined connective tissue dysplasia. In addition to painful periods, this disease is expressed by flat feet, scoliosis, myopia, and dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

This is a very serious disease that occurs more often in girls with elongated limbs, flexible joints, cartilage tissues, most often magnesium deficiency is detected during the growth of the child, which can be established by passing a biochemical blood test.

Diseases of the nervous system, neurological disorders

In girls with signs of a reduced pain threshold, with emotional instability, with various psychoses, neuroses and other neurological disorders, pain perception is exacerbated, so the pain during menstruation in such patients is pronounced.

Bends of the uterus anteriorly and posteriorly, underdevelopment of the uterus, malformations of its development - bicornuate, two-cavity uterus

The occurrence of very painful periods, due to abnormalities in the development of the uterus, is due to a problematic, difficult outflow of blood during menstruation from the uterine cavity. This provokes additional uterine contractions, causing pain during menstruation.

Causes of secondary algomenorrhea in women

If pain during menstruation occurs in a woman who already has children, or she is over 30 years old, then this is considered as secondary algomenorrhea. Today, every third woman has it, most often in a moderate form, since it reduces performance and is aggravated by concomitant symptoms, and is also accompanied by heavy menstruation. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen, painful periods occur with other symptoms, which are usually divided into several characteristic groups:

Vegetative symptoms - bloating, vomiting, nausea, hiccups
Vegetative-vascular symptoms - dizziness, legs, fainting, heart palpitations, headaches during menstruation
Psycho-emotional manifestations - taste disturbance, odor perception, increased irritability, anorexia, depression
Endocrine-metabolic symptoms - increased unmotivated weakness, joint pain, itching of the skin, vomiting

The intensity of pain during menstruation depends on the general health of the woman, on age and concomitant diseases. If the patient has a metabolic disorder (and other disorders of the endocrine system), then endocrine-metabolic manifestations are added to additional symptoms during menstruation, with disorders of the cardiovascular system, vegetative-vascular symptoms may be more pronounced, with the approach of premenopause in women (see. ), increases the likelihood of psycho-emotional instability, depressive symptoms.

Often, women with secondary algomenorrhea occur, which definitely cannot be ignored, and this is an urgent reason to contact a gynecologist for examination and treatment. If primary painful periods, the causes of which are associated with congenital anomalies and pathologies, are very difficult to treat, then the occurrence of secondary algomenorrhea is mainly associated with acquired diseases of the female genital organs, the treatment of which must be carried out without fail, these are:

infectious - inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs and the accompanying adhesive process in the small pelvis
malignant and benign (polyps) tumors of the uterus and appendages
varicose veins in the abdominal cavity, in the pelvic organs
pelvic neuritis

Also, in women over 30 years old, the appearance of very severe pain during menstruation can be caused by the following reasons, provoking factors:

means of intrauterine contraception
, other intrauterine interventions, due to cicatricial narrowing of the cervix
adnexal surgery, birth complications, or complications after caesarean section
mental and physical overwork, constant stress, violation of the regime of rest and work

Why should painful periods be treated?

Given the above, it should be understood that the natural physiological function - menstruation, should not cause significant general malaise in a woman, depriving her of working capacity. In order to reduce the pain of menstruation, treatment should not consist in pain relief, but in eliminating the cause of this phenomenon. Of course, it is possible to hope that this will change, for example, with the birth of a child, but if this does not happen, especially if painful periods occur in a woman after the birth of children, you should contact a gynecologist to find out the cause of pain during menstruation.

To endure pain is not only physically difficult, but also very harmful to the nervous system, and the regular use of NSAIDs and analgesics does not eliminate the cause of painful periods, moreover, the body gets used to them and painkillers have a number of side effects.
The appearance of very painful periods is an indicator that some kind of failure is occurring in the body, a disease, this is a wake-up call to the fact that it is imperative to find the cause of the body's inadequate response to the natural process.

Painful periods can and should be treated. Read more about that in our next article. To determine the cause of primary algomenorrhea, a gynecologist is examined, tests for hormonal status, ultrasound of the pelvic organs are taken, and the girl should also be examined by a neurologist, osteopath, and psychotherapist. With secondary algomenorrhea, a hormonal examination, ultrasound, diagnostic laparoscopy, and diagnostic curettage are also performed.

A woman or girl with painful periods should keep a diary of observations, a menstrual calendar, in which she describes in detail the sensations, the number of discharges, the duration of the cycle and the duration of bleeding, all the symptoms that occur during menstruation, in order to then help the doctor determine the cause and choose the method of therapy.

Normal periods come regularly and last 3-5 days. These days, a woman quickly gets tired, feels unwell. However, this does not cause too much discomfort, does not interfere with the usual way of life. However, some feel severe pain in the abdomen. Sometimes it is so painful that a woman is forced to abandon all business, stay at home, drink painkillers. Such pain during menstruation is a sign of pathology. The cause may be diseases and hormonal disorders. It is impossible to endure and hope that the malaise will pass by itself. You have to go to the doctor.

Content:

When pain during menstruation is considered a pathology

The mucous membrane of the uterus (endometrium) is regularly updated, resulting in menstruation. The removal of dead epithelium from the uterus is carried out by contracting its muscles. In this case, compression of the nerve endings and compression of the vessels occurs, which causes pain in the lower abdomen. Pain radiates to the sacrum and lower back. Usually they appear on the eve of menstruation and in the first 2 days after their arrival.

Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) is a pathology. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen and back, there are associated ailments of varying severity. If a woman’s cycle is regular, the nature of menstruation is normal, then unpleasant symptoms quickly pass without causing her any particular torment. In severe cases, serious treatment is required.

Types of dysmenorrhea

There are two types of dysmenorrhea:

Primary (functional), not associated with any diseases. Usually, menstruation becomes painful 1.5-2 years after the onset of puberty, when the cycle normalizes, ovulation occurs regularly. Often, pain during menstruation is significantly weakened after the first birth.
Secondary (acquired), associated with pathological changes in the genital organs and various diseases. It occurs most often in women over 30 years of age. Usually accompanied by vegetative-vascular disorders (dizziness, excessive sweating, and others), as well as tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmia.

If over the years the intensity of pain during menstruation remains constant, then such dysmenorrhea is called compensated. If the pain during menstruation becomes stronger every year, then it is called decompensated.

Degrees of dysmenorrhea

There are 4 degrees of dysmenorrhea, differing in the intensity of pain.

0 degree. Pain in the abdomen is mild, pain medication is not required.

1 degree. Pain is moderate, quite tolerable. Natural accompanying symptoms are mild depression, headache, indigestion. The discomfort can be completely eliminated by taking an anesthetic drug.

2 degree. Pain during menstruation is severe, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, chills, general weakness, migraine, irritability. The duration of the illness increases. Painkillers and sedatives help make you feel better.

3 degree. Severe abdominal pain appears in a woman 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation, continues until it ends. At the same time, the temperature rises, the head hurts a lot (up to vomiting), tachycardia and pain in the heart occur. There may be fainting. The woman is completely incapacitated. It is not possible to improve the condition by conventional means.

Addition: Pain during menstruation may differ in nature (cramping, pulling, aching, stabbing), give to the lower back, hips.

Causes of painful menstruation

Functional pain during menstruation can occur as a result of the pathological location of the uterus, the formation of adhesions and scarring after an abortion, the increased sensitivity of the woman's body to the changes taking place in it, and emotional excitability. An important role is played by heredity. The occurrence of pain can provoke vitamin deficiency and a lack of magnesium and calcium in the body. A sedentary lifestyle is also a cause of progressive dysmenorrhea. Contributes to the occurrence of pain during menstruation and a factor such as hormonal disorders in the body. An excess of the hormone prostaglandin causes an increase in uterine contractions, narrowing of blood vessels.

The appearance of primary dysmenorrhea is facilitated by the use of an intrauterine device. Secondary dysmenorrhea can occur as a result of pathologies such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ectopic pregnancy, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. Severe pain during menstruation appears due to the formation of polyps and cysts in the uterus.

Video: What are the causes of painful periods

How to relieve period pain

If the pain is moderate, the cycle is regular, menstruation is normal in volume and duration, then with the help of some techniques, you can ease the pain.

Recommendation: With severe pain, it is recommended to visit a doctor and make sure that there are no diseases that are asymptomatic. In some cases, chronic inflammatory diseases and even tumors may not manifest themselves. A pain symptom may be the only signal of trouble.

If, after a gynecological examination, a woman does not have any diseases, then at home, the condition can be alleviated in the following ways:

Massage the abdominal muscles in a clockwise direction, which will help relieve tension in them and relieve spasms. It is also good to massage the lower back.
Take a warm shower to help relax muscles and dilate blood vessels.
Lie on your side with your legs tucked up to your stomach (fetal position).
Take no-shpu to eliminate spasm in the uterus, ketonal or ibuprofen (have a strong analgesic effect), valerian (as a sedative).
Do light physical exercises (tilts, rotation of the body). Good for pain relief during menstruation yoga.
Apply during menstruation compresses with sea salt on the lower abdomen. Before and after menstruation, it is useful to take relaxing short (15-20 minutes) baths with the addition of such salt.
Drink soothing chamomile and mint tea (add 1-2 teaspoons of honey to 1 cup of tea). It is useful to take an infusion of parsley, strawberries.
If there is no allergy, essential oil can be rubbed into the skin in the area of the sacrum and lower abdomen. The procedure is carried out 2 times a day 2 days before menstruation and in the first 2-3 days after they start. It helps to relieve severe pain during menstruation with a mixture containing 50 ml of St. John's wort oil, 5 drops of yarrow and sage oil.
In case of pain and heavy bleeding, ice should be applied to the lower abdomen for 15 minutes (over clothing, put in a bag).

Swimming is recommended. During swimming, the muscles relax, nervous tension is relieved. Endorphins (the so-called joy hormones, analgesic substances) are intensively produced in the body.

Video: Exercises for pain during menstruation

When to See a Doctor

Obvious signs of serious pathologies are most often severe pain that lasts a long time (more than 2 days). Moreover, the pain is so strong that the woman is forced to put aside all her affairs and stay at home. Abdominal pain is accompanied by diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Dizziness, headache, stabbing pain in the abdomen can be signs of excessive blood loss and anemia.

Severe cramping pain in the abdomen occurs with an ectopic pregnancy. The woman needs urgent surgery.

When painkillers and no-shpa do not help, the pain and volume of discharge increase, a doctor's consultation is simply necessary. If severe pain appeared during menstruation suddenly against the background of a cycle disorder, weight loss, this may be a sign of a tumor. You need to see a gynecologist urgently.

Drugs prescribed for dysmenorrhea

To eliminate pathological pain during menstruation, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with antispasmodic drugs. They are able to suppress the production of prostaglandins, thereby reducing uterine contractility.

For the treatment of dysmenorrhea, oral contraceptives are widely used - hormonal low-dose drugs that prevent the formation of excess prostaglandins. Herbal preparations based on phytoestrogens, which improve hormonal levels, as well as homeopathic remedies of non-hormonal action (menalgin), are also used. Gradually accumulating in the body, they help regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce pain and improve the condition of the nervous system.

Complex preparations containing vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, as well as plant extracts (for example, time factor) are prescribed. It is recommended to start taking medications in advance, before the onset of menstruation. Then, by the time they occur, the required dose accumulates in the body, the drug acts more efficiently.

Physiotherapy methods - UHF and electrophoresis help to reduce pain during menstruation. In this case, the procedure is carried out in advance. Before the onset of menstruation, special solutions (novocaine, sodium bromide) are applied to the stomach and exposure to ultrasound or electrical impulses is performed. There is warming and anesthesia.

Prevention of dysmenorrhea

In order for menstruation to be less painful, it is recommended to stop drinking alcohol on critical days, avoid stress, not catch a cold, move more, do yoga. It is necessary to limit the use of sugar these days, foods that cause bloating. It is useful to eat chocolate, which stimulates the production of endorphins, as well as foods containing calcium and magnesium.

Video: Yoga classes during menstruation

1. There are contraindications. It is necessary to read the instructions or consult with a specialist.