
What are the Symptoms and Signs
Many women experience menstrual pain at some point in their lives. The pain can be severe enough to affect your daily life. Menstrual cramps can start a few years after your period starts. Throughout your 20s, these pains may continue until you have a baby. Afterwards, for unknown reasons, your cramps usually decrease. If there is another underlying cause, menstrual cramps can start at any time of your life.
In general, the complaints are as follows;
- Cramping pain in the lower abdomen
- Pain in the lower back and radiating to the thighs
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Dizziness
What are the Risk Factors
- Women at increased risk of menstrual cramps are
- Under 20 years of age
- Entering puberty early (before the age of 11)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Presence of depression
- Period of weight gain (young girls between 14 and 20 years old)
- Not having given birth
- Smoking
When to consult a doctor
If menstrual bleeding started a few years ago and the menstrual period has become painful, there is usually no underlying disease. However, if this painful period prevents you from your daily life for a few days a month, if you are older and these severe menstrual cramps have just started, then you should see your doctor. Thus, the underlying cause can be found and treated accordingly.
How to Diagnose
To make the diagnosis, your doctor will ask about your health history and perform a gynecological examination. The examination can detect any abnormalities or infections in the reproductive organs. Other tests may also be performed depending on your other complaints.
Imaging tests. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to check for abnormalities in the abdominal cavity.
Laparoscopy. It is a surgical procedure. Through a small incision in the abdomen, a tube with a tiny camera at the end can be inserted into the abdomen to look directly at the internal organs.
Hysteroscopy. An instrument inserted through the vagina can be used to look directly into the cervix, canal and uterus.
What It Can Cause
It depends more on the underlying cause. For example, if the cause is an infection, it can block the oviduct and cause infertility. Or an ectopic pregnancy (where the pregnancy occurs in the oviduct or elsewhere instead of in the uterus) can develop.
How to Treat
If there is a cause of menstrual pain, a treatment is applied. If there is an infection, antibiotic treatment is performed. Surgical procedure is performed in diseases such as fibroids and polyps. Or if there is endometriosis, treatment is given for it. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to relieve menstrual pain. You can also apply your own relaxing methods. For very severe menstrual cramps, low-dose birth control pills recommended by your doctor can also be used.
What are Relaxing Methods
You can take a hot shower when the pain starts. You can put a hot water bottle on your abdomen. Regular exercise also increases the release of endorphins (our body’s natural painkillers). You should rest well. If your body is well, the pain will be less intense. You can also do other relaxing methods. For example, massage, yoga and meditation. These activities will help to reduce your pain and will not harm you.