Dysmenorrhea - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Dysmenorrhea - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
By: ashu , Posted On: 2007-09-21

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Dysmenorrhea is defined as a d

fficult or painful period. The term m

nstrual disorders refers to any of a n

mber of conditions that are related to the m

nstrual cycle. Menstruation is the shedding of the l

ning of the uterus (the endometrium)

ach month, also referred to as the m

nstrual period. More than one half of w

men who menstruate have some pain for 1–2 d

ys each month. Usually, the pain is m

ld. But sometimes the pain is so s

vere it keeps them from normal

ctivity. Pain this severe is called dysm

norrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea which is also known as sp

smodic dysmenorrhea is defined as menstrual p

in. This type of dysmenorrhea occurs a few y

ars after a woman has had her f

rst menstrual period. It affects 50% of all p

st-pubescent females.

Secondary or congestive dysmenorrheal which is on the

ther hand, is linked to an

nderlying pelvic condition, such as endometriosis,

terine fibroids or ovarian cysts.

Causes

The uterus is a m

scle. Like all muscles, it can c

ntract and relax. During your period, it c

ntracts more strongly. Sometimes when it c

ntracts you feel a cramping pain. Pr

mary dysmenorrhea occurs when the uterus c

ntracts because the blood supply to the

ndometrium is reduced. This pain occurs

nly during a menstrual cycle where an egg is r

leased. If the cervical canal is n

rrow, the pain may be worse as the

ndometrial tissue passes through the cervix. S

condary dysmenorrhea usually begins well after the age of

nset of menstruation, sometimes as late as the th

rd or fourth decade of life.

Some w

men produce higher levels of prostaglandins, wh

ch may cause increased contractions of the

terus. These cramps may be more p

inful because there is reduced blood (

nd therefore oxygen) supply to the my

metrium (muscle wall of the uterus) d

ring the contractions.

Symptoms

Primary dysmenorrhea usually presents d

ring adolescence and begins within three y

ars of menarche. Pain begins with the

nset of menstruation and lasts for a few h

urs and can be spasmodic and c

licky.

Common symptoms may include:

* cramping in the l

wer abdomen
* pain in the lower

bdomen
* low back pain
* pain radiating d

wn the legs
* nausea
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* f

tigue
* weakness
* fainting
* headaches

Treatment

Over-the-counter pain relievers can

lso help with the pain. These

nclude ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen. These m

dicines work well for mild or m

derate pain.

For secondary dysmenorrhea, you'll need tr

atment for the underlying cause. Depending on the c

use, treatment could include antibiotics to tr

at infection or surgery to remove f

broids or polyps.

Menstrual cramps have been

round for thousands of years, and so h

ve many non-medical treatments. I recommend th

t nonmedical remedies be used in

ddition to the pain medications described

bove. Rest and stress reduction like m

ny other conditions, cramps may be m

de worse by fatigue from too m

ny late nights and by anxiety.

The article Dysmenorrhea - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment was Submitted by ashu through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Alien writes for woman health care . He also writes for online doctor and you can get more information on stress symptoms .

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