Severe pain during menstruation. Painful periods: causes, treatment

Some women experience the period of menstruation with great difficulty - due to pain and decreased performance. Exhausting discomfort indicates a violation of the state of health and requires the attention of specialists. Only on the basis of the answers of laboratory, hardware diagnostic methods, they find out why the lower abdomen hurts during menstruation, and how to eliminate the symptom. It is possible that the detected underlying pathology will not be related to the field of gynecology. But even in this case, the therapeutic course should be completed completely, without interruption.

With varying degrees of intensity, pain in the lower abdomen accompanies the period immediately before menstruation and all days of physiological bleeding. Only 5 out of 100 women do not experience discomfort on the eve and during menstruation. The spectrum of potential causes of discomfort varies. This includes inflammation, tumor process, tissue destruction. Measures that are potentially capable of alleviating well-being these days can only be recommended by a gynecologist. The doctor of this profile focuses on the main reason for the deterioration of health. If it is enough for some women to take an analgesic pill and relieve spasms, then for others, a full course of treatment is provided.

Causes of menstrual pain

It should be noted right away that the localization of the underlying disease that causes painful periods is not always associated with the pelvic organs. The main causes of discomfort during menstruation:

• Diseases of the digestive system (inflammatory, destructive) - colitis, enteritis, peptic ulcer
• Problems in the musculoskeletal system (osteochondrosis)
• Infectious and inflammatory lesions of the organs of the urogenital tract (urethritis, cystitis, endometritis, chlamydia)
• Anatomical features of the uterus (bicornuate, saddle-shaped, with a bend)
• Endocrine disorders (increased levels of estrogen in the blood)
• Formation of neoplasms of benign or malignant origin (myoma, cyst, carcinoma)

Predisposing factors - irregular sex life, abortions, a history of problematic childbirth. Even a violation in the blood clotting ability leads to additional soreness during menstruation. If blood clots form from the secreted masses, it is more difficult for the uterus to move them into the vagina. Increased contractility of the reproductive organ is characterized by spasms. It is them that a woman feels during menstruation, and experiences severe pain, which is complemented by dizziness, weakness, irritability.

Do I need to take pills

With dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), you can and should take pills that allow you to stop discomfort in the lower abdomen and back. If the pains are strong, they should not be tolerated, since the level of pressure and working capacity decrease; general health worsens, dizziness. Antispasmodics are allowed to be taken before a visit to the doctor. A woman needs to enter intramuscularly 1 ampoule (2 ml) of No-shpa. When the discomfort is stopped, you can take the same medication, but in the form of tablets (no more than 3 tons per day). Papaverine has antispasmodic activity (it should be administered intramuscularly).

The analgesic effect will provide Spazmalgon, Ketanov, Dexalgin. The listed drugs belong to the group of analgesics. They eliminate pain faster after intramuscular injection. In all cases, the prescription of the drug should come from a doctor; an intradermal test should first be carried out on the sensitivity of the body to the drug.

How to relieve pain

Through observation and research, gynecologists have identified methods that help make a woman feel better, regardless of the root cause of her deterioration:

1. The use of herbal tea. Chamomile, mint, lemon balm, thyme - these medicinal herbs have a calming and anti-inflammatory property. You can take it in addition to the period of menstruation - to strengthen the immune properties and stop pathogenic processes that have a latent course. Drinking warms, provides a distracting effect.
2. Unloading the intestines in a natural way, through a laxative drug or the use of microclysters. Overloaded intestines compress the uterus. As a result, pain, spasms increase, and bleeding increases. To reduce menstrual pain - you need to empty the intestines in a timely manner. If this presents difficulties, you can use a laxative rectal suppository or microclyster (its volume is 30-150 ml).
3. Applying a heating pad to the stomach. It is not permissible in all cases, therefore, the technique can be implemented only after the approval of the doctor. Relieves pain, stiffness, allows you to relax and tune in to sleep.

During dysmenorrhea, it is not recommended to use clothes with a tight elastic band at the waist (tight trousers, skirts, belts, corsets). Squeezing the uterus increases discomfort and bleeding, hinders movement, and prevents comfortable changing of pads.

Ways to improve well-being

Non-drug methods during dysmenorrhea can partially normalize well-being. They are based on the use of heat sources, performing massage and changing attitudes towards the state. In addition to the psychological aspect, the remaining 2 factors require prior approval by a gynecologist.

Warming treatments

Warm showers are not only allowed during dysmenorrhea, but also useful. It provides a full level of hygiene, relieves pain, relaxes and warms. The use of hot water is contraindicated. During the procedure, it is advisable to massage the abdomen.

Physical activity

With dysmenorrhea, many exercises are contraindicated. Especially if they involve the impact on the abdominal muscles. The tension of the fibers contributes to an increase in discomfort and an increase in the volume of blood loss. Physical activity aimed at the uterus and genitals is recommended to be reduced before the massage. It can be carried out with or without special oil. Stroking circular movements in the lower abdomen (in the umbilical region) relieve pain, tension, and help reduce spasms. The duration of the procedure is up to half an hour.

Diet during menstruation

To reduce pain, you should abandon products that irritate the walls of the organs of the urogenital tract. It is recommended to refrain from eating sour, spicy, salty foods. Alcohol intake is strictly contraindicated (alcohol contributes to increased bleeding and spasms). Although caffeine is one of the substances that irritate organ tissues, its use during menstruation is acceptable. The reason is that due to blood loss in a woman, the level of blood pressure decreases. Coffee supports its indicators, preventing weakening of the body, dizziness and other symptoms.

Psychological attitude

Concentrating on a problematic state of health, it is difficult for a woman to relax and thereby reduce uterine spasms. In order not to regard dysmenorrhea as a stress factor, it is recommended:

• do some auto-training
• listen to soothing music
• use aromatherapy

Due to pain in the lower abdomen and back, a woman becomes irritable. At the peak of discomfort, it is advisable to limit yourself from communicating with others so as not to cause conflict situations. Rethinking the situation comes down to understanding that pain during menstruation is not a condition that just needs to be experienced, but a signal from the body about the violations in it.

Diseases that cause pain

Gynecologists have established the relationship of dysmenorrhea and diseases that a woman has. The main pathologies that contribute to the development of painful menstruation are shown in the table.

Cystitis

It is classified into acute and chronic form. It is an inflammation of the bladder, accompanied by a wide range of symptoms:

• dysuria (cutting and irritation inside the urethra when urinating)
• pain in the lumbosacral back (has girdle character)
• an increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels
• general weakness caused by intoxication of the body

During menstruation, the cervix of the uterus is opened enough to facilitate the full evacuation of blood masses. But the specified physiological phenomenon stings the reproductive organ before the penetration of pathogenic microflora. The movement of pathogens of cystitis from the bladder into the uterus leads to inflammation of that. The reverse process may also occur - cystitis due to menstruation. Inflammation occurs due to the entry into the bladder of pathological microorganisms present in the menstrual blood. In both cases, this aggravates the condition of the woman, since the pain comes from two sources simultaneously: the uterus and the bladder.

A severe gynecological disease is always manifested by violent symptoms. It is characterized by the discharge during menstruation of large fragments of the uterine mucosa. Outwardly, they resemble the liver. Discomfort increases as the tissue detaches from the reproductive organ. When these clots are rejected, bleeding increases and pain in the lower abdomen increases. Hyperthermia is not characteristic of the course of endometriosis. Additional symptoms of pathology - pain during intercourse, aches in the lumbosacral back, weakness.

Inflammation of the appendages

Adnexitis is a lesion of the fallopian tubes and ovaries (it is these organs that are combined in the term "appendages"). Typical symptoms are pain in the lower abdomen, but at a certain point (at the site of inflammation) at rest and during menstruation. Other signs:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Discharge from the vagina of viscous purulent masses between menstruation
• Pain during intercourse (with chronic adnexitis)
• Refusal of intimacy due to discomfort and decreased libido (with acute inflammation of the appendages)

Since pathogenic microflora is present in the blood, body temperature rises to high numbers. This contributes to the development of weakness, dizziness, hypotension. Chronic adnexitis is the leading cause of ectopic pregnancy. The fallopian tubes are glued together by pathological secretion, which prevents the full transfer of the fertilized egg to the uterus. As a result, it remains inside the tube and pregnancy develops there. At the same time, monthly periods can be preserved. The phenomenon reduces the vigilance of a woman - she does not suspect that she has an ectopic pregnancy.

In this case, the sources of pain during menstruation are the inflamed appendages and the fallopian tube, which stretches under the influence of the growing fetus and creates debilitating discomfort.

Cyst

Benign neoplasm of the ovaries. In rare clinical cases, it has a tendency to degenerate into a malignant tumor. Clinical manifestations - pain during menstruation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pallor of the face, darkening before the eyes. During menstruation, a woman is almost completely destabilized - on the first day of bleeding, she is forced to adhere to bed rest. Under the influence of motor activity, a rupture of the cyst may occur. In this case, an urgent call for an ambulance is indicated.

When is a doctor's consultation necessary?

Indications for contacting a specialist:

1. During menstruation, the degree of pain predisposes to loss of consciousness.
2. In addition to pain in the lower abdomen and in the back, large fragments of mucous membranes stand out.
3. The discomfort is so severe that analgesics are ineffective.

If a woman’s well-being is aggravated by a decrease in blood pressure and related symptoms, this is a good reason to make an appointment with a gynecologist. The phenomenon can lead to the development of anemia, which is unfavorable for well-being. You should also visit a gynecologist in the case when a aggravated condition occurs every month, if there is a history of problematic childbirth and past curettage. An important reason for a visit to a specialist is motherhood planning.

Diagnostics

To identify the root cause of dysmenorrhea, the patient will have to undergo the following types of diagnostics:

• Questioning and inspection. The doctor reproduces the clinical picture of the patient's condition, plans further interventions, and preliminarily establishes a diagnosis.
• Laboratory research of blood, urine. Depending on the factor that contributed to dysmenorrhea, inflammation, anemia, and an infectious process are detected. The laboratory method determines the state of hormonal balance.
• Ultrasound of the uterus, appendages, bladder, gastrointestinal tract. Allows you to detect almost all pathogenic processes of the organs of the urogenital and digestive tract.

Other diagnostic methods are prescribed taking into account the alleged diagnosis, which led to the development of dysmenorrhea. Sophisticated methods of radiation imaging (CT, MRI) are necessary to clarify the characteristics of the tumor, the degree of tissue blood supply, and the spectrum of inflammation. When dysmenorrhea is associated with osteoarticular pathologies, the patient is sent for an x-ray examination. Even if such a diagnosis is only assumed.

Treatment

During painful periods, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Voltaren). Rectal administration of any of the listed drugs in the form of a suppository relieves pain, relieves tension inside the genital canals.

To eliminate the main pathologies that cause dysmenorrhea, the following appointments help:

• Antibiotic therapy. Stops inflammatory and infectious processes.
• Hormonal preparations. Enter corticosteroids; substances produced by the pituitary gland.
• Vitamin therapy. Whole complexes or individual vitamins are prescribed.
• Analgesics. They relieve pain, normalize general well-being.
• Drugs are administered aimed at normalizing the level of blood pressure (with a decrease in its indicators).
• Dyspeptic disorders are treated with antiemetic drugs.

Additionally, the patient is prescribed a course of physiotherapy treatment (enterophuresis, magnetotherapy, UHF). To eliminate pathological secretions from the surface of the genitals, it is necessary to treat the tissues with antiseptic solutions. If a woman has anemia (caused by massive blood loss), an injection of iron preparations is indicated. When venereal diseases are detected, not only the woman, but also her sexual partner is treated.

Prevention

In order not to subsequently face the problem of severe pain during menstruation, it is recommended:

1. Refuse to perform abortions
2. If you do not want to get pregnant - choose the best method of contraception and stick to it
3. Do not get cold
4. Timely stop inflammation of the organs of the urogenital and digestive tract. To prevent the transition of pathology into a protracted form
5. Do not abuse alcohol

Other preventive measures are the use of an intrauterine device strictly within the established time limits (do not exceed the period of operation). It is important for a woman to lead an orderly sex life - to avoid casual intimacy. Attention should be paid to the issue of strengthening immunity, since 90% of diseases are a consequence of a weakening of the protective properties of the body. It is preferable to refuse lifting weights at home, not to associate professional activity with exhausting physical labor.

Video: Painful menstruation - causes

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

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

During menstruation, a woman experiences a slight malaise, discomfort in the abdomen and fatigue. However, this does not prevent her from adhering to the usual rhythm of life. If the critical days are very painful, and the cycle is irregular, then you need to contact 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 kind of discomfort 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 genitals. It appears more often in the fairer sex over 30 years of age and is accompanied by cardiac arrhythmia, tachycardia and vegetovascular abnormalities (, dizziness).

If the discomfort does not change over the years, then such dysmenorrhea is called compensated. If the pain only increases with age, then, accordingly, decompensated.

Varieties of associated ailments

In addition to pulling pains in the genital area, menstruation may be accompanied by:

• Discomfort in the heart.
• Severe headaches or migraines.
• Rapid fatigue.
• Discomfort in the eye area.
• Sleep disturbance.
• Pressure surges.
• Irritability and depressed mood.
• Puffiness.
• Mood swings.
• Back pain.
• Dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
• Increased sweating.
• Pain or tenderness in the breasts.
• Constipation, diarrhea or other abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract.

The 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 arrangement 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 disruptions.
• Avitaminosis.
• Installed intrauterine device.
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Sedentary and inactive lifestyle.
• Inflammation in the pelvis.
• Diseases like uterine fibroids, endometriosis.
• The formation of cysts or polyps in the uterus.
• Sexually transmitted infections.

If the sensations do not interfere with the normal activity of the girl, then do not worry and draw hasty conclusions. If spasms interfere very strongly and cannot be tolerated, then it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Treatment of dysmenorrhea

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

Most of the drugs your doctor will prescribe are aimed at reducing the amount of prostaglandins produced and thereby reducing the uterine contractions that cause seizures.

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

Some time before the start of menstruation, the doctor prescribes complex preparations, which 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 remove 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 revise 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 the muscles and dilate the blood vessels.
• Massage the abdomen in circular motions clockwise and massage the lower back.
• Attend a yoga class or do a little exercise at home (rotation of the body in different directions, tilts).
• Take an antispasmodic or pain reliever.
• Before and after menstruation, take baths with the addition of sea salt for about 20 minutes. During spasms, apply compresses from it to the lower abdomen.
• A 15-minute ice pack will help relieve tension and reduce bleeding.
• Drink mint and chamomile tea several times a day.
• In the absence of 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. Do not overwork, be very nervous and drink alcohol, especially during and before menstruation. Limit your intake of foods that cause bloating 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.

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

This, of course, is still the question of why the entire weaker sex is raped for the sin of one Eve. 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, then there may be several reasons for the 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, provoke pain during menstruation, various inflammatory processes in the pelvis, as well as sexual infections.

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 of folk remedies for getting rid of 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 by ancient healers in the 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 is painful, then the first step is to impose a taboo on yourself. Well, or at least significantly reduce the use, especially a few days before the onset of menstruation.

Read also:

How to cure hemorrhoids at home - folk remedies

It would be nice to start drinking tea brewed from a mixture of medicinal herbs in advance - chamomile, sage, St. John's wort and mint. This tea has both antispasmodic, analgesic and sedative properties. For pleasant taste sensations, herbal tea can be drunk with lemon and honey - it's time to pamper yourself, even with such trifles.

Classic black tea for period pain

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

Chocolate for period pain

Bitter chocolate has an inexplicable property to relieve spastic pain during menstruation. Although there is a plausible explanation: eating is accompanied by an increase in the level of hormones of happiness - endorphins. These are the ones that provide pain relief. Therefore, eat chocolate during menstruation, as much as you like - today you can not give a damn about the waist.

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

Bananas for period pain

Banana, by the way, can be dipped in bitter 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 tool! Overdo it - and it will become even worse if it also drags on to painful periods. Experts say that to eliminate discomfort in the lower abdomen during menstruation, 50-70 grams of brandy is enough.

However, get it on your nose that it’s better not to even get cognac from the bar if you use antispasmodic drugs, or sedative or painkillers.

Other effective ways to deal with pain during menstruation

Very often, painful periods occur in those who move little. Not everyone works as fitness instructors, someone in the accounting department is working on numbers!

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

Pain in the lower abdomen for most women during critical days is a normal phenomenon that they encounter on a monthly basis. The most severe pain during menstruation is felt in the first days, and starting from the third day, their intensity gradually subsides. Menstrual pains have a pulling character, but the pain syndrome has the form of colic and acute pain in the lower abdomen. This phenomenon is commonly called, it is more often affected by young, nulliparous women, as well as overweight ladies and harmful addictions.

Dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when a woman's painful regulation 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 interferes with household chores and significantly reduces performance, so you should know the main causes that provoke pain and be able to cope with them.

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

What can hurt and associated symptoms

- this is a normal process that occurs in all women of reproductive age on a monthly basis, starting from puberty and up to the onset of menopause, when 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 cramps in the lower abdomen, which disappear on the second day of menstruation.

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

Usually, pain begins to be felt on the eve of menstruation, in which case we can talk about the presence or dysmenorrhea. So in medicine is called a condition in which the stomach hurts a lot during menstruation. The nature of the pain is usually aching, stabbing or cramping, the woman pulls the lower abdomen, and the pain can also radiate to the kidney area or to the lower back. For menstruation, weak pains are characteristic, if they increase, you should definitely seek help from a doctor, since they are the only symptom in some dangerous gynecological diseases, including oncology. But even in the absence of apparent causes, severe pain in some cases may require medical treatment.

If diseases and infections in the organs of the reproductive and urinary system became the cause of pain during the regulation, then concomitant symptoms may be observed:

• pain in the back and in the sacrum;
• 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 in each woman is different and depends on the characteristics of the body, on its general condition, on heredity and the woman's lifestyle. About 32% of women aged 18 to 25 experience very severe pain that adversely affects performance and disrupts their normal lifestyle. At 25-35 years old, this percentage decreases slightly and amounts to 28%, and at the age of 35-45, almost 40% of the fair sex faces monthly pains. 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 a lot on the first day of menstruation, and starting from the second day, the pain subsides. If a woman has 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 are headache, diarrhea and nausea. Since pain is not associated in this case with any pathologies, ultrasound in the pelvic organs will not show developmental anomalies and lesions. The situation may improve with age or after the birth of a child;
• secondary or acquired algomenorrhea. It occurs most often in women after 30 years. 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, endometriosis. Also, pain can be a reaction of the body to the intrauterine device.

In the case when, over the years, the 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 pains.

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

1. Zero degree. Pain is mild, tolerable and does not require pain medication.
2. The first degree is characterized by moderate pain, which is accompanied by depression, digestive upset and headaches. There may be a slight malaise and drowsiness, but the woman does not lose her ability to work 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 about a quarter of all women live with moderately painful periods until the end of reproductive function. If the pains are at the same level, then no measures are needed, 1-2 painkillers are enough in special cases. If they increase, a mandatory consultation with a specialist is required.
3. The second degree is severe menstrual pain, accompanied by nausea, chills, dizziness, migraine-like pain, general weakness and irritability. Analgesics and sedatives help to correct the situation.
4. 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 disappears only with their end. In addition, body temperature may rise, severe headaches occur, which can provoke vomiting, the heart rhythm goes astray, and heart problems may appear. A woman can faint, her working capacity is lost, 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 a failure of the menstrual cycle, and even cause infertility. Often, at this stage, dysmenorrhea is also diagnosed with concomitant diseases of the reproductive system or nearby organs.

Why does pain occur on critical days

In adolescents, primary algomenorrhea is most often diagnosed, associated with an abnormal location of the uterus or an anomaly in the 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 regular period, even with the menstrual cycle, which proceeds without any disturbance. The contraction of the smooth muscles that make up the walls of the uterus causes 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 pain depends on this hormone;
• critical days are especially painful if a woman has diseases of the genital area. Unbearable pain during regular periods occurs with endometriosis, uterine fibrosis and with 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 disease;
• deficiency of certain trace elements can lead to disruptions in the menstrual cycle, resulting in painful periods. Thus, a lack of calcium and magnesium in a woman's body may appear;
• genetic predisposition. If a woman's closest relatives suffered from severe menstrual pain, then she is also at risk. Not only pain sensations could be inherited, but also the pathologies that cause them;
• imbalance of hormones and, as a result, painful periods can cause stress and malnutrition.

If pain during menstruation does not go away even after taking painkillers, the following factors can provoke them:

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

If the pain during the regulation is tolerable and lasts a short period of time, you should not panic, but with severe pain, you need to consult a specialist.

Diagnostics

To determine the exact reason why a woman is worried about 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 makes an overall picture and makes an assumption about the possible cause of menstrual pain;
• gynecological examination in the 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 needed, as well as additional consultations of narrow specialists (surgeon, endocrinologist, psychologist, etc.).

When to See a Doctor

If the stomach during menstruation hurts very much, this can be one of the signs of serious health problems for a woman, 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 such cases:

• due to pain, working capacity drops so much that a woman is forced to take a day off from work and lie in bed;
• if menstruation has been going on for 2-3 days, and pain does not reduce its 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 the pain during the regulation does not reduce its intensity;
• if painful periods began to disturb a woman of mature age;
• if painkillers and antispasmodics are not able to calm the pain;
• if the intensity of bloody discharge during the regulation only increases;
• when, in addition to pain in the lower abdomen, a headache, nausea and diarrhea begin;
• disrupted menstrual cycle;
• The woman has lost a lot of weight.

With 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 adversely affects the emotional state, but can harm both physical and mental health. If a woman experiences severe pain during regular periods, she is first recommended to contact a gynecologist, but if this is not possible, there are some ways to help with pain during regular periods:

• thermal procedures perfectly relieve muscle spasms, but they cannot be used for inflammatory or purulent processes, as well as for inflammation of appendicitis. If you do not know the exact cause of severe menstrual pain, then you do not need to experiment with warming procedures. If the cause is muscle spasm, then warm will be the best help. It is applied to the lower abdomen for a quarter of an hour, but not more than twice a day. A more gentle method of heating is the application of a warm diaper, which is ironed from several sides;
• water treatments. A hot bath is relaxing, but during the regular it is better to replace it with a short warm shower. Such a procedure will eliminate fatigue and relieve pain, while you can additionally massage the 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 the pain during the regulation;
• massage using a warm mal containing warming additives or essential oils, which are preheated in a water bath to body temperature. Essential oils of saffron, bergamot and grapefruit relieve spasm, but you can replace them with regular baby massage oil. Before the massage, be sure to measure the temperature of the heating oil in order to prevent thermal burns of the massaged area. Massage movements on 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 it is possible to rub a composition of essential oils into the lower abdomen and lower back throughout all the adjustments, 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 it is enough to simply normalize the drinking regimen as a treatment. With a lack of fluid in the body, pain in the lower abdomen will be dull or sharp, but in no case cramp-like. Usually this kind of pain is not too intense, but it may well cause discomfort to women with a low pain threshold. You can make up for the lack of fluid with spring water, mineral water without gas, teas and herbal infusions, berry compotes and dried fruit decoctions. You can drink fruit juices, and 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 that 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, not all gynecologists support this advice, therefore, before using it, you should consult your doctor;
• physiotherapy procedures - electrophoresis, acupuncture, auto-training, psychological therapy, etc. can cope with menstrual pain;
• it is necessary to improve the psycho-emotional state, relax, for this you can read a book or watch an interesting movie, 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 spasm 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, it is even better to sleep.

In especially severe cases, the treatment of pain during critical days cannot do without medication.

Preparations

In some cases, in order to cope with pain during the regulations, the doctor prescribes a woman. Usually medicines from several groups with a different mechanism of action are prescribed:

• gestagens;
• hormonal contraceptives in the form of tablets;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

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

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

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

• antispasmodics. They relieve spasms of smooth muscles and blood vessels. The most famous drugs from this group are Drotoverin,. To relieve spasm, it is enough to drink 1 tablet, you can repeat the reception 2-3 times a day. You can also use intramuscular injections, they quickly stop the pain syndrome. The antispasmodic Papaverine has a milder effect; it is produced in the form of rectal suppositories. It must be put on 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 drugs that not only anesthetize, 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).

Separately, it is worth mentioning the well-known Analgin. These pills used to be used to eliminate any kind of pain. Most women still use it for menstrual pain, although Analgin has too many side effects that are eliminated in modern counterparts. Since this drug can cause bleeding and reduce white blood cell production, it should only be used if other medicines have failed. For mild pain, Paracetamol can be used, women choose this medication because of its quick action, although it is useless for severe pain.

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 of folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that can soothe menstrual cramps and can be easily prepared at home. It is important to remember that taking any medication from alternative medicine should be coordinated 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, which can relieve pain and have an antibacterial effect. To prepare tea, you need to take 1 teaspoon of grated, fresh or half dry ginger root, pour boiling water, add a pinch of cinnamon and leave for 6-7 minutes. The drink can be supplemented with a lemon balm leaf, a slice of lemon or sweetened with sugar. A woman will be able to feel the effect of tea in 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, 2 g of dry or fresh peppermint leaves and lemon balm are mixed, 4-5 drops of lemongrass oil are added and poured with a glass of boiling water. Tea is brewed for 6-7 minutes. Lemongrass can be replaced with 5 g of orange, lemon or other citrus peel. Tea is drunk daily until the end of the regulation. It can serve as a prophylactic, for this 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 the leaves, since the latter, on the contrary, contribute to the strengthening of uterine contractions. Eliminate muscle spasm in the uterus and thereby remove the pain will help a tablespoon of pharmaceutical chamomile, filled with a glass of boiling water, to which 15 g of dried raspberries are added. The drink is infused for 10 minutes, then a little cinnamon and honey are added. Such tea will not only soothe and relieve spasm, but will also have a general strengthening effect on the female body;
• vegetable decoctions with horsetail and bearberry will help get rid of pain, but have a diuretic effect. You need to drink such a drug before menstruation;
• tea with catnip will help calm and relax the uterine muscles;
• an infusion of oregano will help get rid of spasms not only in the uterus, but also in the intestines, this greatly facilitates the condition of a woman during menstruation. A spoonful of dry raw materials is poured into a glass of boiled water and infused for a while, taken three times a day before meals;
• good efficiency in the fight against menstrual pain shows a decoction of viburnum bark. 4 hours dry bark, pour 0.25 liters of water and boil for half an hour. Drink a tablespoon before meals;
• strawberry also works well.

Physical exercise

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

• lying on your back, bend your knees and rest your feet on the floor. Hands are placed along the body with palms to the floor. On a short exhalation, a smooth deflection of the abdomen is made for several minutes. The muscles are completely relaxed. Repeat 4 times;
• you need to lie on your back while the buttocks should be located as close as possible to the wall, and the legs are raised up perpendicular to the floor, then the legs are bent at the knees. In this position, you need to stay for 4-5 minutes;
• you need to lie on your back, straighten your legs, pull one leg to your chin, and leave the other on the floor. In this position, you need to spend 2-3 minutes, and then do the exercise on the other leg;
• you need to get on all fours and lean on the floor with your elbows, you need to keep your head between your hands. In this position, you need to linger 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 tighten your knees. On exhalation, the body rises, the head throws back and the buttocks contract. In this position, you need to linger for half a minute. As you exhale, return to the starting position.

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

Prevention

In order not to have to treat dysmenorrhea, it is better to initially follow simple preventive recommendations:

• do not drink alcohol, especially during critical days;
• quit smoking;
• avoid hypothermia, overheating and any stressful situations for the body;
• do not eat junk food, spicy and very spicy foods, drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day;
• consume fermented milk products rich in calcium every day (yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir);
• lead an active sex life. This helps to 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, which alternate with cold showers, will help improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
• use 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 for any unpleasant symptoms, you should urgently seek medical help.

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

Most often, painful periods are primary dysmenorrhea, that is, discomfort does not arise due to illness, but by itself. If you are healthy, but you are in pain, then prostaglandins are to blame for the malaise - 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 to quickly remove blood and endometrium.

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

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

What other causes 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:

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

With painful periods, any of these diseases can join the increased production of prostaglandins. Therefore, if the pain has become stronger than usual, lasts longer than three days, the cycle has broken, unusual discharge has appeared, or consult a doctor with these symptoms.

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

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

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

If, upon examination, the doctor does not find anything, and the pain during menstruation is severe, does not go away with bleeding, and the prescribed treatment does not help, then a diagnostic operation will be required to find or exclude endometriosis.

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

You were unlucky. 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 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.

It makes no sense to immediately rush for funds with a complex composition. Ordinary ibuprofen may help. There are also stronger drugs - indomethacin, ketoprofen. All drugs have contraindications. Women who have stomach problems should 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 orals create an artificial menstrual cycle with their own hormonal levels. At the same time, the endometrium becomes thinner so that a fertilized egg cannot attach to it. And since this layer is thinner, then there are fewer prostaglandins in it. Therefore, contraceptive pills are often prescribed for painful periods. Painful menstrual periods.

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

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

Than to be treated, except for tablets?

There are methods that help to 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 in turn, focus on your own state and listen to the sensations.

1. Warmly. The best option is to get under the covers and sit with a mug of hot tea, you can even apply a heating pad to the lower abdomen, but this is not always possible. If you need to get out of the house and do business, dress warmly. Choose clothes that do not create discomfort in the abdomen: tight jeans and belts that cut into the body will wait a few days. The warm shower also works.
2. Sport. You need to go in for sports for prevention, and when it becomes difficult, do light exercises for muscles and stretching.
3. Acupuncture. There is no evidence that such alternative medicine works. But at least the procedures distract from the pain.
4. Relaxing massage. It distracts from unpleasant sensations and is generally useful for the body and mind, which also needs to rest sometimes. Massage the abdomen, stroking it clockwise in the area where the pain is felt.
5. Comfortable posture. If it is possible to lie down, then try to raise your legs higher or lie on your side with your knees bent.
6. To give up smoking. Quit for good, not just for the days when you feel pain.
7. Vitamins and trace elements. 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 have your period. Although there are surgeries Patient education: Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) which destroy the nerves in the uterus. The effectiveness of such treatment is low, but there are risks.

Will the pain decrease after childbirth?

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

Some women notice that the pain decreases with age and after childbirth, but not everyone can count on it. Perhaps the pain will remain with you until the menopause.