Key Takeaways:
- Period pain is common but not always normal.
- Causes range from hormonal changes to conditions like endometriosis.
- Home care helps, but severe pain needs medical advice.
- The right products and lifestyle habits can ease discomfort.
Do you know that menstrual pain strikes millions of women every month? For some it’s mild, but for others it can become severe period pain that disrupts daily life. Painful cramps stay for a few hours or drag on for several days. Many women come up with the question - Why are periods painful or why period pain varies from women to women. There is not one answer to this as it often depends on fundamental health issues. The main purpose of our blog is to help you understand the types of menstrual pain, their real causes, and the line of treatment that can make you healthy and happy.
What is Dysmenorrhea?
The medical word for painful periods is dysmenorrhea. The pain during periods is more severe than usual period pain. During this painful period some women have nausea, diarrhoea, or even exhaustion. In many cases, it begins in the lower abdomen and spreads to the legs or back. Period pain that is excessively painful is never normal and often indicates a more serious issue that requires intervention.
Types of Dysmenorrhea
Doctors usually divide period pain into two categories.
Primary dysmenorrhea: Prostaglandin-induced uterine contractions lead to primary dysmenorrhea. The cramps start a day before bleeding and last for first few days of the cycle.
Secondary dysmenorrhea: These kinds of painful periods may happen due to endometriosis, fibroids or infections. It is often noticed that these kinds of pain start earlier in the menstrual cycle and last longer days in most cases.
For women, both these types of period pain hamper their day-to-day life, but secondary dysmenorrhea requires treatment because it indicates an underlying issue.
What causes Painful Periods?
The actual reason for menstrual pain is different for each woman. While the primary reason could be Prostaglandins, but other health problems can also make the period worse:
1. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): The hormonal changes that occur before a woman’s period may cause mood swings, cramps and discomfort.
2. Endometriosis: Here the tissue that should stay inside the uterus grows outside. It builds up. It bleeds. And it causes pain that feels heavier during periods.
3. Fibroids: These are benign masses (Noncancerous growths) in the uterus. But they press on nearby areas. That pressure causes pain and bleeding during periods.
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This happens when infection spreads in the reproductive organs. It brings inflammation. It brings cramping too, sometimes very sharp.
5. Adenomyosis: Rare but very painful. The lining in the uterus grows into the muscle wall. This results in swelling, heavy bleeding, and strong cramps each cycle.
6. Cervical stenosis: This is an uncommon medical condition where the cervix narrows and restricts menstrual flow that leads to pressure and cramps during periods.
These are some of the reasons for painful periods in women. It often goes almost unnoticeable for others. Extreme period pain is mostly because of one of these causes.
Risk factors you should consider
Here are the factors that increase the chances of severe pain during periods:
- Being under 20 years old
- Early puberty (before age 11)
- If you have a family history of painful cramps
- If you have Heavy or irregular bleeding
- If you smoke regularly
If any of these apply to you, then your body may react strongly to menstrual changes.
Look for these symptoms
Period pain usually doesn't come alone. Fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, and sometimes a headache often accompanies alongwith pain. Several women also complain about lower back pain that can last for several days. If your cramps during your periods gets worse or last for longer, there is a high probability that you may be experiencing secondary dysmenorrhea. The best way to understand this is to keep a track of your symptoms, as it may help doctors understand the primary reason much earlier.
Try these home remedies and lifestyle tips
Women often try to find a solution on how to stop period pain for good, but it sometimes can be more effective to manage than to cure it. There are a lot of home remedies available that lessen pain and help you manage your period pain effectively:
- Take a hot water bottle or heating pad for relief
- Exercise regularly (e.g. walking, stretching, or yoga)
- Drink herbal tea (e.g. ginger, chamomile, or cinnamon)
- You should eat healthy and balanced meals that include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Take supplements like magnesium or omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin B1 (We highly recommend you to consult with your doctor before any self-medication)
We also suggest you to avoid caffeine and alcohol and eliminate excessive salt. This will also help bring down period cramps.
When should you consult a doctor
Not every period has warning signs but certain period symptoms require medical care and intervention. We advise you to visit a doctor immediately if you have:
1. Pain that hampers your daily schedule.
2. You notice large blood clots during periods
3. Extreme pain which is not normal during your period cycle.
4. Pelvic pain even when you are not in your periods
5. You have fever or your period smells foul
If you have unbearable pain that goes on and on for several months can be warning sign. You should not overlook and visit a doctor immediately.
Say goodbye to Period Discomfort
Make your periods worry-free with ultra-absorbent, reusable GoPadFree™ period panties. Get them today for your period comfort.
Shop NowDiagnosis and test
In order to identify any abnormality, your doctor with start with a pelvic and physical exam. Based on his preliminary examination, he may advise MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound. If there are any complications, your doctor may ask you to undergo laparoscopy that will enable him to examine your abdomen closely. Tests and examinations like these often help doctor identify the precise reasons for dysmenorrhea and suggest you the best course of treatment.
Final thoughts
Menstrual cramps can vary from mild annoyance to agonizing cramps. If you have ever wondered why are period so painful or experienced cramps during periods that seem impossible to bear consult a doctor immediately. There are several ways such as home remedies, medical treatment, and lifestyle modifications. Don't disregard your signs. The sooner you get answers, the sooner you can achieve permanent relief and enhance your quality of life. And as always, we at HealthFab always wish you a happy and healthier periods.