What is menstrual cramp/pain?

Dysmenorrhea is referred to as menstrual cramps which are caused by contractions of the uterine. Common menstrual cramps are often referred to as primary dysmenorrhea, while menstrual cramps associated with a disorder in the reproductive organs are known as secondary dysmenorrheal but both could be treated.

Menstrual cramps are one of the annoying parts of your period. This primary and secondary dysmenorrhea is the two main types of dysmenorrhea.

In primary dysmenorrhea, its menstrual cramps are recurrent (do resurfaces) and are not associated with any medical disorder. The pain usually starts 1 or 2 days before the actual menstruation, or when menstrual bleeding begins and is being felt around the lower abdomen, back, or thighs.

Some people could experience mild to severe pains which can typically last 12-72 hours depending on the girl’s body. Pain is usually accompanied by vomiting and nauseating feelings, fatigue, and even diarrhea. However, these common menstrual cramps appear less painful as a woman ages and may stop completely when a woman has its first baby.

Consequently, medical disorders like adenomyosis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or infection bring about secondary dysmenorrheal in most women. Secondary dysmenorrhea pains usually start earlier in the menstrual cycle and stay longer than common menstrual cramps. Its pains are not accompanied by vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or fatigue.

What are the causes of painful menstrual cramps?

Menstrual cramps arise from the tightening in the uterus (usually a muscle) by a chemical known as prostaglandin. The uterus which is a site for the development of a baby contracts throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle. While a woman is menstruating, the uterus contracts more strongly.

However, if the uterus tightens too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels, stopping the supply of oxygen to the muscle tissue around the uterus. Since the part of the muscle loses its supply of oxygen, it can then bring about pains and menstrual cramps.

Also, the pain usually occurs right before menstruation begins, as the level of prostaglandins increases in the uterus lining. The levels are high usually during the first day of the menstrual period. As menstruation continues and the uterus lining is shed, the levels decrease. This implies that pain decreases as the levels of prostaglandins decrease.

Read more: https://relhealth.com/dysmenorrhea-new-symptoms-causes-treatment/