Everytime I get my period i have the worst cramps you can imagine. I take ibuprofen and then it usually takes the pain away within 20-40 minutes. But I was wondering why are my cramps so bad?? I don't get cramps on my lower stomache either, well sometimes I do, but it's usually just above or under my right hip bone. And almost every time I get my period, I throw up. Is there something wrong? or is it just this way becuase I haven't had my period very long. I've only had it for 2 years. No one I talk to has had their cramps this bad either. My grandma did when she was younger though, does it skip generations? please tell me. Some info and possible help...also, do you have Endometriosis??
Derived from the Greek words dys, meaning 鈥渄ifficult,鈥?meno, meaning monthly, and rrhea, meaning 鈥渇low,鈥?dysmenorrhea is the term used to describe painful menstrual cramping.
Almost all menstruating women experience some cramping during their periods, referred to as either primary dysmenorrhea, which refers to "normal" menstrual pain, or secondary dysmenorrhea, which arises as a result of an underlying disease or disorder. The condition is among the leading complaint in women who present to their physicians for gynecologic pain. More than half of all menstruating women have pain associated with menses, and studies have shown that dysmenorrhea is one of the most common reasons women miss work and/or school. Nearly 10% of women with the condition are incapacitated for up to three days each month[1].
"Normal" menstrual cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of hormones known as prostaglandins. These are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which cause the uterus to contract, sometimes quite painfully, in order to expel the menstrual debris. Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. Increased prostaglandin production can also cause the distressing gastrointestinal symptoms some women may experience. Primary dysmenorrhea most commonly occurs within a few years of menarche (a woman鈥檚 first period), while secondary dysmenorrhea can occur years after the onset of menarche.
Pain with primary dysmenorrhea usually begins on or about the first day of a woman鈥檚 period and can last up to 72 hours. In a woman with secondary dysmenorrhea, she may have painful symptoms occurring a week or more prior to her period and lasting even after her flow has stopped. In the case of a woman who has secondary dysmenorrhea, there are other reasons for her pain, including diseases or conditions like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, or similar concern.
Dysmenorrhea can be diagnosed based on symptoms, patient history, physical findings, and when appropriate, diagnostic tests such as vaginal or pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy (an examination of the inside of the uterus) and/or hysterosalpingogram (an evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes). In cases of secondary dysmenorrhea, laparoscopic surgery can be very beneficial at affording a diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause. Symptoms often include painful pelvic or abdominal cramping, headache, suprapubic cramping (an area of the pelvis overlying the bladder), backache, pain radiating down into the thigh area, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea and even syncope (a temporary of consciousness). Upon physical exam, those with primary dysmenorrhea exhibit normal vital signs and a tender uterus, but no cervical or ovarian abnormalities. Patients with secondary dysmenorrhea may exhibit varied vital signs depending on the underlying cause and may be found to have tenderness, nodules, and/or enlargement of the uterosacral ligaments, the rectovaginal septum or other adnexa (the region of the pelvis that encompasses the ovary, fallopian tube and surrounding broad ligament).
Treatment options are based on the underlying cause of the pain (primary v. secondary dysmenorrhea) and range from medical to alternative therapies. Commonly, Non-Steroidal Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen may be recommended to help with cramping, and more recently, COX-2 inhibitors have also been approved for treatment of dysmenorrhea. Prescription painkillers may also be recommended where appropriate. Combination (ethynylestradiol and progestin) oral contraceptives can also help reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating the cramps. Heating pads can also offer temporary resolve of the pain. Avoidance of smoking (which has been shown increase cramps) and reduced intake or total avoidance of salt, sugar, high fat and dairy products, alcohol and caffeine can also afford relief, as can increasing the intake of fiber, calcium and complex carbohydrates. Recent studies also indicate that Vitamin B6 complex, calcium and magnesium supplements, and Omega III fatty acids (fish oil supplements) also may help relieve cramping. Pelvic massage, exercise (which releases endorphins, the body鈥檚 own natural painkillers), Yoga (the cat stretch and the pelvic tilt), visualization techniques, aromatherapy, acupuncture and herbs like Dong Quai, Ginseng, Stragalus root, Ligusticum root and White Peony root are also said to be helpful alternative techniques for managing the pain.
If Endometriosis or another disorder is the underlying or secondary cause for dysmenorrhea, you will benefit most from having the disease diagnosed and effectively removed. It is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause. Pain that is crippling or incapacitating is never normal and should be investigated as soon as possible so that appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be rendered.
Reference:
[1] Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87(1):55-58. This is very normal. My grandma, Mom, and 2 sisters had this, but I lucked out. I highly recommend birth control pills if your cramps are affected your life so much. I get them just as bad.. apparently my doctor says there is no explanations.. its just who I am. I hope someone eles can give a better answer. It may skip generations, considering it was only your grandma who had the same symptoms as you do. But periods are different for everybody. You should definitely see your gyno on how to treat this. Immediately! Periods are a part of life, but shouldn't be painful. gurlie, my friend breaks down and cries and screams in pain wen she gets caramps so its noy a problem its normal...all i can tell u iz drink tea dont go 2 skool, lay down and stay on pain killers I have really bad cramps too, and i've also only had my period for 2 years. Sometimes my cramps are so bad that I have to stay home from school. I am going my doctor soon, and she said I probaly needed to get on the pill because it helps control cramps. If I were you I'd go to the doctor and see what they suggest.
Hope It Helps! Well, it has been a while, but I got mine at 10. Around 12 I had to go to the doctors to get checked out since my cramps were just sooo bad. I would either have to go home from school, or not even go at all. I found out that I had dysmenorrhoea. Search- dysmenorrhoea - at WebMD. It should be able to give you a little more research. My doctor prescribed me 800Mg Motrin, and I still take them since I get soo bad.
I also had to get on birth control to give the extra hormones that I was missing. It helped out a lot and I still take them. hope this helps! Good Luck.
Ali when i was younger i had horrible cramps...but after i had kids, they lessened...its best if you take some ibuprofen BEFORE your cramps start and also a heating pad helps to alleviate the cramps..... Hormones and mesturation just seem to affect people differently. I'd say it's normal and becasue yours seem to be worse than some the best thing to do would be to see a doctor and ask what the best way is to deal with it.
When I first started mensturating I didn't really get cramps at all, then later on in my 20s I started getting some, not bad by most standards. But you see I tend to get this headache around period time or mid cycle even, it stems from the back & if I don't take a tablet I'll end up with a migrane & throw up. Popping a couple of panadol generally gets rid of it though. And I also get acne which seems to flare up a couple of times a month - it's either mid cycle or just before I get my period.
Other women get very moody too, I know I do. All to do with the rise and fall of the hormone levels.
The cramps are kind of an introduction or preparation to what it will be like in childbirth too.
I had a friend who used to have to take very strong pain killers during her periods and even skip days at school some times, so be assured you are not the only one. I no longer keep in touch with her so can't tell you wether it gets easier with age or goes away. it has some fancy science related genetics thing.
there is a type of birth control that can actually help your cramps not be...so painful
i think the website is
fewperiods.com
i am not sure tho
best of luck |
