Dysmenorrhea
How to overcome pain during periods.
Pain during menstrual cycles/painful periods is the most common complaint in women in the reproductive age group accounting for almost 40-50%. 90% of adolescents have painful periods without any underlying cause.
This affects a woman’s quality of life and results in absenteeism from work or school and anxiety and poor performance.
It is of two types:-
- Primary
- Secondary
Primary Dysmenorrhea
Mostly seen in adolescent girls and unmarried women present with cramping pain, which begins a few days before menses and severe on 1st day and 2nd day and lasts for 2-3 days. There is no underlying cause, the uterus and other pelvic organs are normal. Pain is in the suprapubic area and radiates to the thigh and back
Secondary Dysmenorrhea:
- Usually starts 1 or 2 days before the menstrual cycle and lasts throughout periods. Pain is severe and spasmodic and associated with underlying uterine pathology like infections, Endometriosis, adhesions due to previous surgeries, adenomyosis fibroids, and Retroverted uterus.
Usually seen in the age group of 20-30 years. - The underlying cause has to be identified in these women by pelvic examination, Imaging-Ultrasound and MRI. Diagnostic Laparoscopy may be necessary if the pain is not subsiding.
- Prostaglandins Inhibitors are given for pain and oral contraceptive pills are given if the pain is not subsiding