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Painful periods: causes, treatment. Types of algomenorrhea

A woman’s body undergoes monthly processes related to the functioning of the reproductive organs. If everything is in order with your health, then menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon, which, although inevitable, does not cause much trouble. But some women tremblingly await the onset of the next torture in the form of painful periods, when all their strength and attention are focused on overcoming this condition, it is impossible to think about work or family matters. Such periods are a pathology that requires treatment.

Content:

Algomenorrhea and its types

Algomenorrhea (painful menstruation) is a disorder that is associated with unusually severe abdominal pain during menstruation. Menstruation can become painful from the very beginning of its appearance in a girl. This condition sometimes bothers a woman until the onset of menopause.

Painful sensations in the lower abdomen and lower back during menstruation occur in every woman. The pain is associated with contractions of the uterus, which rejects dead mucous membrane. However, the strength of the sensations depends on the individual characteristics of the body, such as the location and shape of the uterus, state of health, and sensitivity to pain.

It is considered normal if painful sensations do not cause a woman to suffer, menstruation causes only mild discomfort, which goes away after 2-3 days. A pathology requiring treatment is unbearable pain during menstruation, which makes a woman unable to work, and she cannot do without painkillers. In addition to painful periods, she has signs of other cycle disorders and symptoms of related ailments.

Symptoms that occur with painful menstruation

In addition to abdominal pain, abnormal periods also cause:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
severe headache;
autonomic disorders (excessive sweating, fever, dizziness, fainting);
surges in blood pressure, rapid pulse or cardiac arrhythmia;
weakness, pain in muscles and joints.

There may be irregularities in the regularity of menstruation and an increase in their duration. Blood discharge may become too intense or, conversely, scanty. It is possible to experience spotting, bloody leucorrhoea between menstruation.

Painful sensations often occur before the start of menstruation (1-2 days) and disappear only with their end. The pain can be constant or similar to contractions, pulling, cutting, aching.

Degrees of pain

There are 3 degrees of severity of painful periods.

Mild degree characterized by short-lived and tolerable painful sensations.

Average degree manifested not only by painful sensations in the abdomen and back, but also by increased urination, chills, and neuropsychic disorders (increased irritability, depression, intolerance to bright light, strong odors and loud sounds).

Severe degree associated with very severe pain, cardiac dysfunction, increased body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, general weakness, and loss of consciousness.

Depending on the cause of painful menstruation, two types of algomenorrhea are distinguished: primary and secondary.

Video: Symptoms of painful periods, what to do if they occur

Primary algomenorrhea

This is the name for painful periods that are not associated with diseases or damage to the genital organs. Most often it occurs in adolescents within 3 years after the onset of puberty. At this time, dramatic changes in the composition of hormones occur in the body.

Depending on the type of hormone, an increase in the level of which leads to pain, two types of primary algomenorrhea are distinguished:

Adrenergic (increased adrenaline content in the blood). This type is characterized by symptoms such as fever, increased heart rate, severe headache, pallor, hiccups, bloating, and indigestion in the form of constipation.
Parasympathetic (increased serotonin content in the spinal cord). In this case, painful symptoms such as a decrease in pulse, a decrease in body temperature, diarrhea, swelling of the face and limbs, and weight gain occur.

Types of pathology

Considering the cause of painful periods, several types of primary pathology are distinguished: spasmogenic, psychogenic and essential.

Spasmogenic algomenorrhea. The main cause of pain is spasmodic contractions of the uterine muscles.

Psychogenic. Pain occurs due to fear of symptoms experienced once and leaving an indelible mark on the memory.

Essential. This is a disease caused by a decrease in the threshold of sensitivity to pain due to disruption of the centers of the brain. Moreover, even a slight impact on the nerve endings causes severe pain.

Causes of painful menstruation

The causes of the primary disease are:

A congenital disorder of the development of connective tissue in the body due to a lack of magnesium. This disease is dangerous because it leads to disruption of the composition of cartilage tissue. Improper formation of joints occurs, limbs lengthen, flat feet and scoliosis occur. Myopia, indigestion, and varicose veins are also common.
Tuberculosis of the genital organs.
Neuropsychiatric disorders.
Congenital malformations of the uterus (bicornuate uterus, abnormal location of the uterus, its underdevelopment).

Note: If the cause of pain during menstruation is a bending of the uterus, which arose already during puberty (due to developmental abnormalities or heavy lifting), then after a woman gives birth to a child, her painful menstruation may turn into normal. But if there is a congenital pathology, then after childbirth it does not disappear. A gynecological examination and treatment is required.

Secondary algomenorrhea

Secondary pathology occurs as a result of acquired health disorders: the formation of scars and adhesions in the uterus after operations and abortions, as well as hormonal disorders, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Such problems can occur at any age, but more often they occur in women 25-30 years old.

One of the causes of pain in secondary algomenorrhea is the presence of varicose veins in the pelvic and abdominal organs. Inflammation of the nerves located in the pelvic area can also cause severe pain.

Secondary algomenorrhea often occurs in women seeking to lose weight through fasting, which leads to anorexia or bulimia. One of the main reasons for the appearance of painful periods is a violation of the structure of the uterine tissue, their scarring, soldering after illnesses.

Infections of the genital organs. They can be sexually transmitted, causing the appearance of purulent inflammatory processes, leading to cycle disruption and worsening the symptoms of algomenorrhea. You can get rid of such diseases (trichomoniasis, syphilis, genital herpes, gonorrhea) only with simultaneous treatment of both sexual partners.

There are infectious diseases that can be contracted both sexually and through everyday life (for example, thrush).

Inflammatory diseases. They can occur when microorganisms enter from the outside due to violation of hygiene rules, as well as as a result of activation of opportunistic microflora. In small quantities, streptococci, staphylococci, and E. coli are present in a healthy body without causing any pathogenic effect. Their activation and pathological reproduction occurs due to hypothermia, lack of vitamins, disruption of the composition of the microflora of organs, and their damage.

Diseases that can lead to painful periods include inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis), the mucous membrane of its cavity (endometritis), and fallopian tubes (salpingitis).

Warning: The peculiarity is that inflammatory processes quickly spread from the external genitalia to the uterus and ovaries. The consequence of chronic diseases is the bending of the neck, coarsening of tissues, disruption of the condition of blood vessels, the appearance of cysts, polyps, and malignant neoplasms. In this case, the woman experiences various menstrual irregularities and pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies during menstruation.

Tumors of the uterus(fibroids, cancer). The pain and unusual nature of menstruation is often the only sign of its formation. A growing tumor compresses blood vessels, as well as nerve endings located in the uterus and neighboring organs. The shape of the uterus may be disrupted, and menstrual blood stagnates in it. Swelling occurs and muscle elasticity is lost. Uterine contractions become painful. As the tumor grows, the manifestations intensify.

Endometriosis. This disease is associated with endometrial hyperplasia and its growth into other organs. In this case, the processes of the cycle are shifted in time of onset, menstruation becomes painful, prolonged, and hormonal disorders occur due to the appearance of dangerous ovarian diseases (such as, for example, an endometrioid cyst).

Dysplasia, leukoplakia, cervical erosion. These diseases are associated with damage to epithelial cells in the cervix, impaired ability to stretch the cervix, a possible change in its shape, and a decrease in the contractility of the uterus.

Violation of hormone production. It can be caused by taking hormonal drugs, using hormonal contraceptives, malfunctioning of the ovaries, thyroid gland, and pituitary gland. Metabolic disorders and its consequences (diabetes mellitus, obesity, sudden weight loss) can also cause painful periods.

Cause of painful menstruation after childbirth

During childbirth, the ligaments that hold the uterus are damaged, causing it to deviate from its normal position, which leads to pain during menstruation due to contractions of the uterus. It is also possible to change its shape, forming folds in which menstrual blood stagnates. This causes a painful inflammatory process.

Video: Causes and treatment of algomenorrhea

Treatment for algomenorrhea

A gynecological examination, a smear test for infections, as well as blood tests for hormones and atypical cells allow us to draw conclusions about the presence of diseases. After examining the organs using ultrasound and tomography methods, it becomes obvious whether there are developmental pathologies or neoplasms in the uterus. If necessary, their nature is clarified using a biopsy. The choice of treatment methods depends on the type of disease, the woman’s age, and the severity of the pathology.

Treatment of primary algomenorrhea

Doctors advise that in the presence of primary pathology, try to avoid worries and stress, devote more time to physical exercise, quit smoking and drinking alcohol. In the second half of the cycle, it is recommended to limit sex and not lift weights.

Physiotherapeutic treatment (electrophoresis for introducing novocaine into the solar plexus area), as well as acupuncture, helps well. Drug therapy is prescribed: taking sedatives (valerian, relanium), painkillers (spasmalgon, no-shpa), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, butadione), vitamin E.

Plant-based drugs are used to normalize hormonal levels (remens, climadinone). For the same purpose, hormonal contraceptives (anteovin, ovidone) are prescribed.

When experiencing painful periods, it is necessary to keep a menstrual calendar in which the intensity, location and nature of the pain are recorded. It is important to visit a gynecologist every 3 months. If nothing is done, the condition will only worsen over time, and a mild degree of impairment will become severe.

Treatment of secondary algomenorrhea

If it is determined that the cause of painful menstruation is diseases of the genital organs, then treatment is carried out with drugs of appropriate action (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals).

Progesterone-based drugs are used, which suppress ovulation and reduce intrauterine pressure, as well as the intensity of uterine contractions. In this case, the use of oral contraceptives has a good effect. Treatment with duphaston is carried out successfully.

If painful periods occur due to the presence of adhesions, scars or tumors in the uterus, then surgery is performed. This takes into account the patient’s age and her intention to have children.

Physiotherapy methods (electrophoresis, therapeutic baths) can combat inflammatory processes. A popular method of eliminating menstrual pain is hirudotherapy (applying leeches that suck out blood, reducing tension in the uterus). Leech saliva contains painkillers and anti-inflammatory substances.

If the doctor finds no contraindications, then for such a pathology it is permissible to use traditional medicine: soothing herbal teas with oregano, mint, muscle-relaxing beetroot and pumpkin juices. Decoctions and infusions with anti-inflammatory properties (from burdock leaves, acorns and herbal mixtures) are used.

Video: How to relieve painful periods

Most often, painful periods are primary dysmenorrhea, that is, unpleasant sensations do not arise due to illness, but on their own. If you are healthy, but you are in pain, then prostaglandins are to blame for your illness - these are mediators that increase the sensitivity of pain receptors. They are produced in the lining of the uterus during menstruation. Because of them, the uterus contracts in order to remove blood and endometrium faster.

When there are a lot of prostaglandins and the uterus contracts strongly, pain appears in the lower abdomen, which resembles cramps.

Sometimes back pain is added to these sensations. Prostaglandins also influence the contraction of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, so these substances are responsible for nausea and diarrhea during menstruation.

What other reasons cause pain?

If the pain begins suddenly, then you need to examine the genitourinary system and organs that are located nearby. Perhaps the real cause of discomfort is diseases, such as:

Endometriosis.
Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis).
Myomas, fibromas and other tumors.
Inflammatory diseases in the pelvic organs.
Intestinal diseases.

With painful periods, any of these diseases can be associated with increased production of prostaglandins. Therefore, if the pain becomes stronger than usual, lasts longer than three days, the cycle is disrupted, unusual discharge appears, or, consult a doctor with these symptoms.

What tests should I take to understand that this is not a dangerous disease?

An examination by a gynecologist is needed (at the same time, the doctor can take smears, including for hidden ones), as well as an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.

This is enough to draw conclusions about health and treat either illness or dysmenorrhea.

If during the examination the doctor finds nothing, and the pain during menstruation is severe, does not go away with bleeding, and the prescribed treatment does not help, then an exploratory operation will be required to find or exclude endometriosis.

Why does it hurt me, but my friend endures menstruation without problems?

You're out of luck. No one can say for sure why some women have heavier periods than others. This is a feature of the body that needs to be dealt with.

What pills can you use to save yourself?

First aid - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs. These are fairly safe painkillers, sold without a prescription and in a variety of combinations.

Anti-inflammatory drugs do more than just numb the pain. They reduce the production of prostaglandins, the very ones that are to blame for everything.

There is no point in immediately rushing for products with a complex composition. Regular ibuprofen may help. There are also stronger drugs - indomethacin, ketoprofen. All drugs have contraindications. Women who have stomach diseases need to be especially careful. To take NSAIDs in these cases, you need to consult a doctor who will select the drug.

But antispasmodics help with dysmenorrhea worse (if they help at all), because they do not affect the cause of the pain.

Will birth control pills help?

Hormonal oral medications create an artificial menstrual cycle with its own hormonal background. At the same time, the endometrium becomes thinner so that a fertilized egg cannot attach to it. And since this layer is thinner, there are fewer prostaglandins in it. Therefore, birth control pills are often prescribed for painful periods. Painful menstrual periods.

If your doctor recommends pills, try to choose modern drugs with minimal side effects and check if you have any contraindications.

Therapy is not limited to pills: hormonal IUDs or perform the same tasks.

How to treat, besides pills?

There are methods that help make it easier to endure pain during menstruation. Unfortunately, it is impossible to say for sure that they will help: everyone has their own reactions. Try everything one by one, focus on your own state and listen to the sensations.

Warm. The best option is to crawl under the covers and sit with a mug of hot tea, you can even apply a heating pad to your lower abdomen, but this is not always possible. If you need to leave the house and do business, dress warmly. Choose clothes that don't create discomfort in the abdominal area: tight jeans and belts that cut into the body will last a few days. A warm shower works too.
Sport. You need to play sports for prevention, and when it becomes difficult, do light muscle exercises and stretching.
Acupuncture. There is no evidence that such alternative medicine works. But at least the procedures distract from the pain.
Relaxing massage. It distracts from unpleasant sensations and is generally beneficial for the body and mind, which also needs to rest sometimes. Massage your abdomen, stroking it clockwise in the area where pain is felt.
Comfortable position. If you can lie down, try to raise your legs higher or lie on your side with your knees bent.
Quitting smoking. You need to quit for good, and not just for those days when you feel pain.
Vitamins and microelements. This is also not an absolutely reliable method, but it is possible that supplements with vitamins B6, B1, E, magnesium and calcium will help you Menstrual cramps: Lifestyle and home remedies.

Is it possible to get rid of pain once and for all?

Not as long as you're on your period. Although there are surgeries Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) which destroy nerves in the uterus. The effectiveness of such treatment is low, but there are risks.

Will the pain decrease after childbirth?

There are no guarantees that the pain will go away after childbirth, despite the fact that many doctors for some reason recommend childbirth as a remedy for many gynecological problems.

Some women notice that pain decreases with age and after childbirth, but not everyone can count on this. The pain may remain with you until menopause.

Pain in the lower abdomen for most women during menstrual periods is a normal phenomenon that they encounter every month. The most severe pain during menstruation is felt in the first days, and starting from the third day, its intensity gradually subsides. Menstrual pain is nagging in nature, but the pain syndrome has the form of colic and acute pain in the lower abdomen. This phenomenon is usually called, it most often affects young, nulliparous women, as well as women who are overweight and have harmful addictions.

Dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when a woman’s painful dysregulation is accompanied by a whole range of pathological symptoms, including headaches, nausea, weakness and fatigue. For some women, severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation prevents them from doing household chores and significantly reduces their productivity, so you should know the main reasons that provoke pain and be able to cope with them.

In this article you will learn why your stomach hurts during menstruation, and what to do if the sensations are very strong.

What can hurt and accompanying symptoms

- this is a normal process that occurs in all women of reproductive age every month, starting from puberty and until the onset of menopause, when the reproductive function withers. During menstruation, a woman feels a certain discomfort and there is an additional need to comply with hygiene standards.

Very often, the process of rejection of the inner layer of the uterus is accompanied by menstrual pain, they resemble short-term cramps in the lower abdomen, which disappear on the second day of menstruation.

Both biological and mechanical processes are involved in cleansing the body during regulation. The nervous system sends a signal to the muscles of the genital organs, causing them to spasm. What actually hurts during menstruation is the contracting walls of the uterus, which thus push out the exfoliated endometrium and blood through the vagina. The whole process is controlled by impulses that pass through nerve cells. Pain is felt only when there is insufficient nutrition of the nerve cells, as a result of which they stop the nerve impulses.

Usually, pain begins to be felt on the eve of menstruation, in which case we can talk about the presence of dysmenorrhea. This is the medical name for a condition in which the stomach hurts very much during menstruation. The nature of the pain is usually aching, stabbing or cramping; a woman’s lower abdomen pulls, and the pain can also radiate to the kidney area or lower back. Mild pain is characteristic of menstruation; if it intensifies, you should definitely seek help from a doctor, since they are the only symptom of some dangerous gynecological diseases, including oncology. But even in the absence of obvious causes, severe pain in some cases may require medical treatment.

If the cause of pain during regulation is illnesses and infections in the organs of the reproductive and urinary systems, then accompanying symptoms may be observed:

pain in the back and sacral area;
heaviness and pain in the lower extremities;
general weakness and poor health;
emotional swings, in which aggressiveness and irritability are replaced by complete apathy.

The intensity of pain varies for each woman and depends on the characteristics of the body, its general condition, heredity and the woman’s lifestyle. About 32% of women aged 18 to 25 years experience very severe pain, which has a detrimental effect on performance and disrupts their normal lifestyle. At the age of 25-35, this percentage decreases slightly and amounts to 28%, and at the age of 35-45, almost 40% of the fair sex experience monthly pain. The choice of treatment for this pathology will depend on the type of dysmenorrhea and its severity.

Classification and degrees of deviations

Most often, the stomach hurts severely on the first day of menstruation, and starting from the second day, the pain subsides. If a woman experiences severe pain on the eve of menstruation and accompanies all critical days, then a diagnosis of “dysmenorrhea” is made. Depending on the causes of occurrence, two types of pathology are distinguished:

primary dysmenorrhea or functional. It is diagnosed when the body produces an increased amount of prostaglandins, which cause excessive contraction of the uterine muscles. In this case, painful sensations appear on the eve of menstruation and continue for another 3-4 days. This type of dysmenorrhea is typical for girls 16-25 years old. Associated symptoms include headache, diarrhea and nausea. Since pain in this case is not associated with any pathologies, ultrasound will not show any developmental anomalies or lesions in the pelvic organs. The situation may improve with age or after the birth of a child;
secondary or acquired algomenorrhea. It appears most often in women after 30 years of age. The cause of such dysmenorrhea can be excessive excitability of the nerve roots during uterine contractions, inflammation and pathology in the organs of the reproductive system, and endometriosis. Painful sensations can also be the body’s reaction to the intrauterine device.

In the case when, over the years, pain during menstruation remains at the same level of intensity, then they are usually called compensated, but if they increase with each cycle, these are decompensated pain.

Depending on the intensity of menstrual pain, there are 4 degrees of dysmenorrhea:

Zero degree. The pain is mild, tolerable and does not require painkillers.
The first degree is characterized by moderate pain, which is accompanied by depression, digestive system disorders and headaches. You may feel slightly unwell and drowsy, but the woman remains incapacitated and is still physically active. In 40% of women, this stage of algomenorrhea manifests itself from the first menstruation. After childbirth or with age, the situation changes, and until the end of reproductive function, about a quarter of all women live with moderately painful periods. If the pain is at the same level, then no measures need to be taken; 1-2 painkiller tablets are enough in special cases. If they increase, mandatory consultation with a specialist is required.
The second degree is severe menstrual pain, accompanied by nausea, chills, dizziness, migraine-like pain, general weakness and irritability. Analgesics and sedatives help correct the situation.
The third degree of dysmenorrhea is diagnosed with very severe pain in the lower abdomen, which begins 2 or even 3 days before the regulation, and only goes away with its end. Additionally, the body temperature may rise, severe headaches may occur, which can provoke vomiting, the heart rhythm may become erratic, and heart problems may appear. A woman may faint, lose her ability to work, and ordinary painkillers from the home medicine cabinet cannot cope with the situation. This is a very dangerous degree of algomenorrhea, which can lead to disruption of the menstrual cycle, and even cause infertility. Often at this stage of dysmenorrhea, concomitant diseases of the reproductive system or nearby organs are also diagnosed.

Why does pain occur during menstrual periods?

In adolescents, primary algomenorrhea is most often diagnosed, associated with an abnormal position of the uterus or abnormal development of the reproductive organs. Often, after the first birth, pain during menstruation for women with primary dysmenorrhea ceases to cause discomfort.

If dysmenorrhea occurs after puberty, then it is considered to be secondary; such abdominal pain can be caused by various reasons:

uterine contractions. This is the main factor that causes severe pain during the regulative period, even during the menstrual cycle, which proceeds without any disturbances. The contraction of the smooth muscles that make up the walls of the uterus is caused by the hormone prostaglandin; the higher its level, the higher the contractility of the uterine muscles. Normally, this hormone is responsible for the timely cleansing of the uterus from exfoliated endometrium, but with its increased concentration, intense muscle contractions cause a woman to feel pain. Not only the intensity, but also the nature of the pain depends on this hormone;
Critical days are particularly painful if a woman has genital diseases. Unbearable pain during regulation occurs with endometriosis, uterine fibrosis and inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system. Pain syndrome can signal an existing disease, or be a consequence of an already eliminated gynecological illness;
A deficiency of certain microelements can lead to disruptions in the menstrual cycle, resulting in painful periods. In this way, a lack of calcium and magnesium in a woman’s body may occur;
genetic predisposition. If a woman’s closest relatives suffered from severe menstrual pain, then she too is at risk. Not only pain sensations, but also the pathologies that cause them could be inherited;
An imbalance of hormones and, as a result, painful periods can be caused by stress and poor nutrition.

If pain during menstruation does not go away even after taking painkillers, they can be triggered by the following factors:

bending and displacement of the uterus. If these are congenital anomalies, then there is a high probability that the pain will go away after childbirth;
avitaminosis;
a sharp drop in progesterone levels;
cysts and polyps in the ovaries;
spontaneous abortion;
emotional overstrain, state of shock;
adhesions;
polycystic ovary syndrome;
hormonal imbalance caused by an overactive thyroid gland;
intrauterine device;
excessive excitability of the nervous system;
pelvic overload syndrome;
cervical stenosis;
recent operations, including abortion, childbirth;
sedentary lifestyle;
malignant tumors.

If the pain during the procedure is tolerable and lasts a short period of time, there is no need to panic, but if the pain is severe, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Diagnostics

To determine the exact reason why a woman experiences severe pain during menstruation, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination. It must include the following activities:

an oral survey, during which the gynecologist draws up an overall picture and makes an assumption about the possible cause of menstrual pain;
gynecological examination in a chair and palpation of the mammary glands;
Ultrasound examination of the organs of the reproductive system;
blood tests for hormones;
a smear for flora and cytology, the latter will help determine the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

In some cases, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy may be necessary, as well as additional consultations with specialists (surgeon, endocrinologist, psychologist, etc.).

When to see a doctor

If the stomach hurts very much during menstruation, this may be one of the signs of serious problems with the woman’s health, and without the help of a gynecologist it will not be possible to eliminate them on your own. You need to see a specialist in the following cases:

because of the pain, performance decreases so much that the woman is forced to take a day off from work and lie in bed;
if your period has been going on for 2-3 days, and the pain does not decrease in intensity;
bleeding has been profuse for more than 2 days, and there are large, dark clots in the discharge;
if a woman has been systematically taking hormonal contraceptives for a long time, and pain during regulation does not reduce its intensity;
if painful periods begin to bother a mature woman;
if painkillers and antispasmodics are not able to calm the pain;
if the intensity of bleeding during regulation only increases;
when, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, there is a headache, nausea and diarrhea;
the menstrual cycle is disrupted;
the woman lost weight dramatically.

If you have the symptoms listed above, you should immediately seek help from a specialist who, after a comprehensive diagnosis, will be able to determine the cause of the pain and prescribe the correct treatment.

Ways to reduce pain

Experts say that any pain cannot be tolerated, because it not only has a detrimental effect on the emotional state, but can harm both physical and mental health. If a woman experiences severe pain during regulation, first of all it is recommended that she consult a gynecologist, but if this is not possible, there are some ways to help with pain during regulation:

Thermal procedures perfectly relieve muscle spasms, but they cannot be used in inflammatory or purulent processes, as well as in inflammation of appendicitis. If you do not know the exact cause of severe menstrual pain, then there is no need to experiment with warming procedures. If the cause is muscle spasm, then warm water will be the best help. It is applied to the lower abdomen for a quarter of an hour, but no more than twice a day. A more gentle method of warming up is to apply a warm diaper, which is ironed on several sides;
water procedures. A hot bath is relaxing, but during regular periods it is better to replace it with a short warm shower. This procedure will eliminate fatigue and relieve pain, while you can additionally massage your stomach with a washcloth to relax the muscles and ease the spasm;
you can make a compress with sea salt and apply it to the lower abdomen, this will remove pain during regulation;
massage using a warm mala containing warming additives or essential oils, which are preheated in a water bath to body temperature. Essential oils of saffron, bergamot and grapefruit relieve spasms, but you can replace them with regular baby massage oil. Before the massage, be sure to measure the heating temperature of the oil to prevent thermal burns to the massaged area. Massage movements along the abdomen and lower back should be done clockwise, this will reduce pressure on the abdominal cavity. If a woman does not have allergies, then you can rub a composition of essential oils into the lower abdomen and lower back throughout the entire period, which includes 4 drops of clary sage oil, 5 drops of marjoram and yarrow oil and 50 ml of St. John's wort oil;
if painful periods are caused by dehydration, which often accompanies heavy menstrual blood loss, then the treatment is simply to normalize the drinking regime. If there is a lack of fluid in the body, pain in the lower abdomen will be dull or sharp, but in no case cramp-like. Typically, pain of this kind is not too intense, but it may well cause discomfort to women with a low pain threshold. You can replenish the lack of fluid with spring water, still mineral water, teas and herbal infusions, berry compotes and dried fruit decoctions. You can drink fresh fruit, but it is better not to drink alcohol, strong tea, coffee and cocoa;
It is useful not only throughout the entire cycle, but also during regular periods to engage in not too intense physical activity, which improves tone and eliminates spasms - Pilates, gymnastics, yoga, morning exercises and swimming;
some experts recommend applying an ice pack to the lower abdomen, but for no more than 10-15 minutes; this advice is not supported by all gynecologists, so before using it, you should consult with your doctor;
Physiotherapeutic procedures – electrophoresis, acupuncture, auto-training, psychological therapy, etc. – can cope with menstrual pain;
you need to improve your psycho-emotional state, relax, for this you can read a book or watch an interesting film, go to the cinema or spend time in the company of a loved one. Positive emotions can reduce the intensity of pain;
assume the fetal position. This position relieves spasms and relaxes the muscles. For a positive effect, a woman needs to lie on her side, pull her legs up to her chest and lie down, or better yet, sleep.

In especially severe cases, treatment of pain during menstrual periods cannot be done without medications.

Drugs

In some cases, in order to cope with pain during regulation, the doctor prescribes it to the woman. Medicines from several groups with different mechanisms of action are usually prescribed:

gestagens;
hormonal contraceptives in tablet form;
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The first group of drugs affects secretory changes in the mucous layer of the uterus, but does not affect ovulatory function. Progesterone and testosterone are actively used. These artificial hormones reduce uterine tone and the amount of prostaglandins produced, and reduce the excitability of the nerve roots located in the uterine muscles.

The use of hormonal contraceptives has a beneficial effect on a woman’s hormonal levels and normalizes her menstrual cycle. Birth control pills suppress ovulatory function, reduce the intensity of menstruation, and suppress nervous excitability and uterine tone. Therefore, with the systematic use of oral contraception, menstrual pain is significantly reduced. Progestins and oral contraceptives have a long-lasting effect.

If women have a contraindication or excessive sensitivity to hormonal drugs, for menstrual pain, the doctor may prescribe non-steroidal drugs that reduce the level of prostaglandins, but the effect of their use will be observed for 2-6 hours. This group of drugs includes Mig, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Nimesil, Ibuprofen, Nurofen Express, Next, Ibufen.

antispasmodics. They weaken spasms of smooth muscles and blood vessels. The most famous medicines from this group are Drotoverine. To relieve spasms, it is enough to take 1 tablet; you can repeat the dose 2-3 times a day. You can also use intramuscular injections, they relieve pain faster. The antispasmodic Papaverine has a milder effect; it is produced in the form of rectal suppositories. It must be placed in 1-2 candles for 3-5 days, it has a cumulative effect, so you should not expect a lightning-fast effect;
if, in addition to pain, there are other unpleasant symptoms, experts recommend using complex-action drugs that not only relieve pain, but also eliminate spasm and inflammation. Pentalgin also belongs to this group of drugs;
if pain during regulation provokes overexcitation of the nervous system, sedatives may be prescribed (Persen, Fitosed).

It is worth mentioning separately about the well-known Analgin. These tablets were previously used to relieve any pain. Most women still use it for menstrual pain, although Analgin has too many side effects, which are eliminated in modern analogues. Since this drug can cause bleeding and reduce the production of white blood cells, it should only be used if other medications are ineffective. For mild pain, you can use Paracetamol; women choose this medication because of its rapid action, although for severe pain it is useless.

Any medication whose action is aimed at eliminating pain has a number of contraindications and side effects, so it should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, based on the diagnosis and general health of the patient.

Help from folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that can soothe menstrual pain; they can be easily prepared at home. It is important to remember that taking any medicine from alternative medicine should be agreed with your doctor.

Let's talk about the most effective folk recipes to help cope with menstrual pain:

ginger tea. Ginger root contains many phytoncides, esters and glycosides that can relieve pain and have an antibacterial effect. To prepare tea, you need to take 1 teaspoon of grated, fresh or half a dry ginger root, pour boiling water, add a pinch of cinnamon and leave for 6-7 minutes. The drink can be supplemented with a leaf of lemon balm, a slice of lemon or sweetened with sugar. A woman will be able to feel the effect of tea within half an hour. This recipe is not suitable for women with acute diseases of the digestive system and blood diseases. Ginger tea should also not be drunk during heavy periods;
mint tea with lemon balm. This herbal mixture has a pronounced analgesic effect. To prepare the drink, mix 2 g of dry or fresh peppermint and lemon balm leaves, add 4-5 drops of lemongrass oil and pour a glass of boiling water. Tea is brewed for 6-7 minutes. Schisandra can be replaced with 5 g of orange, lemon or other citrus zest. Drink tea daily until the regulation is complete. It can serve as a prophylactic; for this purpose it is taken daily in the morning and a couple of hours before bedtime;
chamomile tea with raspberries. In this recipe, it is raspberries that are used, and not leaves, since the latter, on the contrary, help to strengthen uterine contractions. A tablespoon of apothecary chamomile poured into a glass of boiling water, to which 15 g of dried raspberries is added, will help eliminate muscle spasms in the uterus and thereby relieve pain. The drink is infused for 10 minutes, then a little cinnamon and honey are added. This tea will not only soothe and relieve spasms, but will also have a general strengthening effect on the female body;
Herbal decoctions with horsetail and bearberry will help get rid of pain, but have a diuretic effect. You need to drink this drug before your period;
Tea with catnip will help calm and relax the uterine muscles;
An infusion of oregano will help get rid of cramps not only in the uterus, but also in the intestines, this significantly alleviates a woman’s condition during her period. A spoonful of dry raw materials is poured into a glass of boiled water and infused for some time, taken three times a day before meals;
A decoction of viburnum bark shows good effectiveness in the fight against menstrual pain. 4 tsp. dry bark, add 0.25 liters of water and boil for half an hour. Drink a tablespoon before meals;
Strawberries also work well.

Exercise

Experts have developed a whole range of physical exercises that allow you, without the use of medications, to get rid of not only severe menstrual pain, but also the accompanying symptoms. The following exercises can be performed every day for prevention and during menstruation to relieve pain:

lying on your back, bend your knees and place your feet on the floor. Hands are placed along the body with palms facing the floor. On a short exhalation, a smooth deflection of the abdomen is made for several minutes. The muscles completely relax. Repeat 4 times;
you need to lie on your back with your buttocks positioned as close as possible to the wall, and your legs raised up perpendicular to the floor, then your legs bend at the knees. You need to stay in this position for 4-5 minutes;
You need to lie on your back, straighten your legs, pull one leg up to your chin, and leave the other on the floor. You need to spend 2-3 minutes in this position, and then do the exercise on the other leg;
you need to get on all fours and lean your elbows on the floor, you need to hold your head between your hands. You need to stay in this pose for 2-3 minutes. A similar exercise can be done lying on your back;
You need to lie face down on the floor, bring your feet together and strain your knees. As you exhale, the body rises, the head is thrown back and the buttocks contract. You need to stay in this position for half a minute. As you exhale, return to the starting position.

These exercises are suitable for those who are contraindicated for drug treatment, but they should be performed only as prescribed by a doctor in cases where a woman has a spinal disorder and is diagnosed with arterial hypertension.

Prevention

To avoid having to treat dysmenorrhea, it is better to initially follow simple preventive recommendations:

do not drink alcohol, especially during menstruation;
quit smoking;
avoid hypothermia, overheating and any stressful situations for the body;
do not eat junk food, spicy and very hot dishes, drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day;
consume fermented milk products rich in calcium (yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir) every day;
have an active sex life. This helps normalize blood circulation and relaxes the muscles of the genital organs;
you should move more, walk in the fresh air, if possible, do yoga, swimming or gymnastics;
daily baths with sea salt, alternating with cold showers, will help improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
consume vitamin complexes containing calcium and magnesium;
remove from the diet foods that cause fermentation and bloating;
You should regularly visit a gynecologist at least once a year, and if you experience any unpleasant symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help.

A bar of chocolate, which contains calcium and magnesium and stimulates the production of endorphin, the hormone of happiness, will help improve your mood during menstruation.

They say that the ancestress Eve is to blame for women's ailments - painful childbirth and menstruation. She managed to snatch the forbidden fruit, and even incite Adam to commit an ungodly act! This is why, as history testifies, the creator commanded the entire female sex not only to give birth in pain, but also to lose blood with pain every month.

This, of course, is also the question of why the entire weaker sex takes the rap for the sin of Eve alone. But, one way or another, the problem of painful periods confronts seven out of ten women almost from the very beginning of menstruation.

Causes of pain during menstruation

If we ignore the biblical story, there can be several reasons for pain during menstruation.
One of them is a lack of calcium and magnesium in the body. Another, more common in women of mature age, is the presence of fibroids, fibroids or endometriosis.

In addition, various inflammatory processes in the pelvis, as well as genital infections, provoke pain during menstruation.

In cases where the source of pain is not associated with severe damage to the reproductive organs and infectious diseases, physiological discomfort during menstruation can be significantly reduced with the help of traditional painkillers or using folk remedies.

Folk remedies for pain during menstruation

Among the recipes for folk remedies for relieving pain during menstruation, the most common are herbal teas, decoctions of chamomile and oregano, as well as an infusion of the so-called red brush. This is such a traditional “female” herb, used in ancient times by healers in villages to treat heavy and painful menstruation. In addition, in such cases, following a certain diet and some pleasant indulgences in food also help to achieve the goal and cope with pain during menstruation.

Herbal tea for period pain

If the monthly natural process of cleansing the reproductive organs occurs with pain, then the first thing you need to do is put a taboo on yourself. Well, or at least significantly reduce consumption, especially a few days before the start of your period.

Classic black tea against period pain

An excellent proven remedy for painful periods is black, strong, freshly brewed tea, sweet to the point of cloying and very hot. It is better to drink it reclining in bed, placing a warm heating pad on your lower abdomen.

Chocolate against period pain

Dark chocolate has the inexplicable property of relieving cramping pain during menstruation. Although there is a plausible explanation: eating is accompanied by an increase in the level of happiness hormones - endorphins. These are the ones that provide the analgesic effect. Therefore, eat chocolate during your period as much as you like - today you can not give a damn about your waist.

And in general, some people manage to lose up to five or six kilograms of weight!

Bananas against period pain

By the way, you can dip a banana in dark chocolate dissolved in a water bath or in honey - the amount of endorphins in the blood will definitely go off scale.

Cognac against pain during menstruation

Just don’t get carried away with this product! Overdo it, and it will get even worse if it also adds to painful periods. Experts say that to eliminate discomfort in the lower abdomen during menstruation, 50-70 grams of cognac is enough.

However, remember that it is better not to even get cognac from the bar if you are using antispasmodics, sedatives or painkillers.

Other effective ways to deal with period pain

Very often, painful periods occur in those who move little. Not everyone works as a fitness instructor; some work in the accounting department working on numbers!

To some extent, you can reduce the risk of painful periods by doing at least ten to fifteen minutes a day of at least some semblance of physical exercise.

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

Why does my 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 through bleeding. Doctors have found that it is impossible to get pregnant on the first day of the cycle.

During menstruation, a woman experiences slight malaise, discomfort in the abdomen and fatigue. However, this does not prevent her from adhering to the usual rhythm of life. If your critical days are very painful and your cycle is irregular, then you need to consult 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 type of malaise 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 genital organs. It appears more often in women over 30 years of age and is accompanied by cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia and vegetative-vascular abnormalities (dizziness).

If the unpleasant sensations do not change over the years, then such dysmenorrhea is called compensated. If the pain only intensifies with age, then, accordingly, it is decompensated.

Types of associated ailments

In addition to nagging pain in the genital area, menstruation may be accompanied by:

Discomfort in the heart.
Severe headaches or migraines.
Fatigue quickly.
Unpleasant sensations in the eye area.
Sleep disturbance.
Pressure surges.
Irritability and depressed mood.
Swelling.
Mood swings.
Pain in the lower back.
Dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Increased sweating.
Breast pain or tenderness.
Constipation, diarrhea or other abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract.

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 location 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 imbalances.
Avitaminosis.
Installed intrauterine device.
Ectopic pregnancy.
Sedentary and inactive lifestyle.
Inflammation in the pelvis.
Diseases such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis.
Formation of cysts or polyps in the uterus.
Sexually transmitted infections.

If the sensations do not interfere with the girl’s normal activity, then there is no need to worry and draw hasty conclusions. If the spasms interfere very much and cannot be tolerated, then you need to consult a specialist.

Treatment of dysmenorrhea

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

Most of the medications your doctor will prescribe are aimed at reducing the amount of prostaglandins produced and thereby reducing the contractions of the uterus that cause attacks.

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

Some time before the onset of menstruation, the doctor prescribes complex medications that 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 relieve 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 reconsider 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 your muscles and dilate your blood vessels.
Massage the abdomen in a clockwise circular motion and massage the lower back.
Attend a yoga class or do some exercise at home (rotate your body in different directions, bend over).
Take an antispasmodic or pain reliever.
Before and after menstruation, take baths with sea salt for about 20 minutes. During cramps, apply compresses from it to the lower abdomen.
An ice pack for 15 minutes will help relieve tension and reduce bleeding.
Drink mint and chamomile tea several times a day.
If there are no 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. You should not overwork, be very nervous and drink alcohol, especially during and before menstruation. Limit your intake of bloating foods 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.