Introduction

Most women feel period pain for 1 to 2 days each cycle. It is normal, but some might experience intense pain and regular cramps during menstrual periods that interfere with their daily life. This condition is called dysmenorrhea. It is categorised as either primary or secondary. • Primary dysmenorrhea: This type begins with your first period and stays throughout life. It is a lifelong condition. Severe menstrual cramps often occur due to unusual and intense uterine contractions. • Secondary dysmenorrhea: This category comes from an underlying physical issue. It starts later in life. Conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease may cause it.

What Causes Dysmenorrhea?

Primary dysmenorrhea happens when the uterus contracts abnormally because of a chemical imbalance in the body. The chemical prostaglandin plays a role in controlling these contractions. Secondary dysmenorrhea results from other medical problems often linked to endometriosis. In this condition, your endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. It can lead to pelvic pain, infections, and internal bleeding. There are other reasons behind secondary dysmenorrhea, too. These include: • Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID • Uterine fibroids • Issues with pregnancy like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy • Tumours, infections, or polyps in the pelvic area

What are the Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea shows up with certain symptoms that vary for each individual. These include: • Cramping or pain in the lower abdomen • Aches in the lower back • Pain that spreads to the legs • Feeling nauseous • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Feeling tired • Weakness • Episodes of fainting • Headaches Other health problems or conditions might have similar symptoms, so it’s important to see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

Risk Factors

Any woman can experience dysmenorrhea, but some might face a higher chance of getting it. These include: • Those who smoke • Those who drink alcohol during their period, as it may worsen menstrual pain • Those who are overweight • Those whose periods started before age 11 • Those who have never been pregnant Talk to your doctor to learn more.

How does Your Doctor Diagnose Dysmenorrhea? Doctors diagnose dysmenorrhea by reviewing your medical history and performing both a full physical and pelvic exam. They might also run additional tests. • Ultrasound: This test creates pictures of organs inside the body by using sound waves with very high frequency. • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This method captures detailed pictures of body parts by using strong magnets, radio waves, and a computer. • Laparoscopy: Doctors insert a thin tube called a laparoscope, which has a lens and light, through a cut made in the abdominal wall. The doctor uses this tool to look inside the abdomen or pelvic area and check for unusual growths. • Hysteroscopy: Doctors perform this procedure to check the cervix canal and the uterus's inner area. They use a tool called a hysteroscope, which they insert through the vagina.

How is Dysmenorrhea Treated?

Your doctor will decide how to treat dysmenorrhea based on several factors, including: • Your age • Medical history • Your general health • How severe the condition is • Whether the cause is primary or secondary • How well you can handle certain medications, treatments, or procedures • What they expect about the condition’s progression • Your personal choices or input Options to ease dysmenorrhea symptoms might include: • Medications that block prostaglandins, like NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to ease pain • Pain relievers like acetaminophen • Birth control pills, which stop ovulation • Hormone therapy involving progesterone • Adjusting diet to eat more protein while cutting down on caffeine and sugar • Taking vitamin pills • Doing physical activities regularly • Using a heating pad on the stomach • Taking a hot shower or bath • Massaging the stomach area In very serious cases, intervention procedures might be required: • Endometrial ablation, which removes the uterine lining • Endometrial resection, where the uterus lining gets removed • Hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed