Menstrual Cramps – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Menstrual cramps are the symptoms (complaints) that accompany the time before and during the period. The so-called PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is just as much a part of this as menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) during bleeding.

The individual symptoms are so diverse that it is almost impossible to list them all. Medicine now counts over 100 of these menstrual problems and not all of them can always be clearly assigned. The classic symptoms include: abdominal pain, headache, nausea and a general feeling of illness.

causes

Researchers disagree on exactly what causes menstrual cramps like PMS, but it seems to be related to the altered hormone status just before menstruation.However, it is easy to explain why a woman has menstrual problems such as dysmenorrhea: A healthy uterus prepares itself for a possible pregnancy each cycle.

The endometrium (mucous membrane of the womb) builds up and, if there is no pregnancy, is broken down and shed again after ovulation. At this point, so-called prostaglandins are formed in the endometrium.

These are hormones that cause the muscles in the uterus to contract and encourage the removal of the shed tissue, thus causing menstrual cramps.

When to the doctor?

In the case of menstrual problems, it is only in rare cases that a doctor needs to be consulted. Many sexually mature girls and young women gradually learn how to deal with their individual menstrual problems in an optimal way. The hormonal changes in the body are initially new and unfamiliar, but can be easily overcome with a few measures, even without medical support. Rest and sufficient warmth of the abdomen are important.

Common complaints include chest tightness , abdominal pain, and a general feeling of lethargy. If these symptoms last longer than 3 days, it is advisable to seek help and support from a doctor. If the symptoms are unusually intense or if they are steadily increasing, a doctor should also be consulted.

If there are other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or tachycardia , a doctor’s visit is necessary. If the bleeding is unusually heavy, there is a risk of blood shortage. The heart is under a particularly high tension. If dizziness or disturbances of consciousness occur, a doctor should be consulted. Shortly before the bleeding occurs, changes in the breast tissue occur. If lumps form that can also be felt after the menstrual period, a doctor’s visit is necessary. Further tests must be carried out to rule out diseases such as breast cancer.

Symptoms and course

The symptoms of menstrual cramps are very complex. The most common menstrual symptoms include period pains such as abdominal cramps and back pain , which are most severe just before and during the first few days of menstruation and are triggered by uterine contractions. The women often also suffer from diarrhea , nausea or tiredness .

All other symptoms and menstrual cramps of PMS and dysmenorrhea are often of a psychological nature, as women feel uncomfortable and are more irritable and sensitive. There are women who, due to their menstrual problems, are barely or only partially able to work for a few days a month and feel seriously ill. Women who are prone to headaches and hormonal migraines are also at great risk and affected during this time. However, these menstrual cramps usually disappear completely after a few days.

complications

Various complications can arise in connection with menstrual cramps. Menstrual problems or menstrual problems can occur spontaneously in a woman’s life, improve for a short time or disappear. There is often a connection such as pregnancy, a change of partner or professional factors such as stress. Menstrual pain can severely impair the quality of life, especially in young women. They therefore tend to have the pill prescribed. There is a higher risk of infertility , cancer and liver disease. The risk of thrombosis, a stroke or cardiovascular disease is also increased.

For patients of childbearing age, a disturbed period can indicate endometriosis, which can make it difficult to have children. If bleeding occurs during menopause, cervical cancer is suspected . Further complications can be pronounced blood loss, pain-related circulatory weakness or a collapse. Before or after menstruation, severe, cramping pain – a so-called dysmenorrhea – can occur. If the pain persists for a longer period of time, a gynecological examination should be carried out. Menstrual cramps can also be accompanied by changes in the position of the uterus, fibroids in the uterus or cysts on the ovaries.

treatment and therapy

Treatment for menstrual cramps is as varied as the symptoms themselves. Rest and relaxation can be very beneficial to general well-being, warm baths can ease cramps and abdominal pain, and long walks and exercise can relax the muscles.

A hot-water bottle or heat pad on the lower abdomen also helps against menstrual problems such as uterine cramps and possible indigestion. Massages help with unpleasant tension and pain in the lower back and increase the well-being of women.Taking magnesium or iron also often relieves the symptoms and menstrual cramps, since magnesium has an antispasmodic effect and iron can counteract exhaustion and tiredness if too much iron has been excreted through bleeding.

However, if a woman cannot do without medication because of her menstrual cramps, she should pay attention to which tablets and active ingredients she uses.

ASS ( acetylsalicylic acid ), for example, thins the blood and can increase bleeding and menstrual cramps, and paracetamol has only a limited effect on the contractions triggered by the prostaglandins. Butylscopolaminium bromide, which works specifically for menstrual problems of all kinds, has proven to be the best.

outlook and prognosis

Normally, menstrual cramps vary in severity and completely disappear after a few hours or days. Sporting activities help many of those affected to achieve good relief quickly and efficiently. The movements reduce the onset of pain, cramps or discomfort in a completely natural way. However, avoid overexertion. Various home remedies and hot-water bottles or wearing loose clothing are also supportive and therefore helpful in reducing the period of suffering. In most cases, the symptoms disappear completely without medical care or long periods of downtime in everyday work.

Severe, recurring menstrual cramps should be regulated by medically supervised administration of medication. Depending on the cause of the symptoms, illness-related menstrual pain can be treated. Researching the cause can take a few visits to the doctor, since it is not always immediately possible to determine what is causing the menstrual cramps. Once the diagnosis has been made, however, there are good chances of recovery, so that here too the menstrual cycle symptoms completely resolve after a short time.

If hormone changes occur in the course of life, a new phase with the symptoms can occur. With good medical care, the causes of the current complaints can be found and treated. Permanent damage or permanent impairments are generally not to be expected in the case of menstrual problems.

prevention