Menstrual pain

Female physiology is very complex and unpredictable. A woman's body is able to perform a real miracle - the birth, nurturing and the birth of a baby. However, for such happiness it is necessary to sacrifice something. Perhaps this is how you can treat periodic pain in women associated with the course of the menstrual cycle, which are called menstrual pain.

Some sources claim that 56% of women experience moderate-to-moderate menstrual pains that do not interfere with their daily activities. At the same time, about 35% of women experience such severe menstrual pains during critical days that they not only have body temperature changes, chills appear, but also lose consciousness.

It is very difficult to find a woman who has no painful moments in the female genitourinary system during critical days. However, the duration of menstrual pain is insignificant, often 1-3 days and is characterized by the abundance of bloody discharge.

In addition to menstrual pains about the onset of critical days, it can also portend pain in the area of the mammary glands, their enlargement or some kind of hardening.

They are afraid of menstrual pain, nevertheless, it is not necessary, however, if the pain is extremely strong and the usual painkillers do not help, then you need to turn to the gynecologist and consult with him about further actions aimed at overcoming painful sensations.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

What is menstrual pain?

Scientifically speaking, menstrual pains are called dysmenorrhea. This condition, which is characterized by pain in the abdomen, pelvis, urogenital system in the body of a woman during menstruation or before its onset. Dysmenorrhea, in medical practice, can be divided into two types - primary and secondary.

Primary or functional dysmenorrhea is usually observed in adult women. It is characterized by painful sensations of varying severity in the lower abdomen, which are observed for 1-3 days before or during menstruation. Over time, the strength of menstrual pain is reduced, and after childbirth soreness can disappear altogether.

Symptomatics of functional menstrual pain can appear in a couple of years after the onset of menstruation. However, this does not in any way indicate a violation of the functioning of the body, or the termination or disruption of the uterus and its appendages.

Physicians consider the two most frequently occurring causes of menstrual pain. The main cause of menstrual pain doctors call sharp or prolonged contractions of the uterus. At the same time, the body of a woman reduces blood flow to the uterus and releases a prostaglandin substance, which helps to reduce internal female muscles.

Another reason can also be called the release of very large blood clots with abundant blood discharge, which creates discomfort in the cervical canal.

Also, in the formation of pain during menstruation may not be the best way to participate in the lack of mobility, smoking, obesity, stress, heredity and other factors. Ancillary symptoms of dysmenorrhea are also diarrhea, or vice versa, constipation, frequent urination, and headaches.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is more pronounced, more prolonged and characterized by diseases of the mocereproductive system. Secondary menstrual pain most affected by women in age from 20 to 30 years. Pain is observed not only in the lower abdomen, but also in the lower back and legs. The pain may be different - piercing, cutting, dull, aching - and lasting much longer than in the case of primary dysmenorrhea.

Causes of menstrual pain of secondary appearance are typical for women who have suffered from various diseases of the genital organs, including endometriosis, as well as those who injected the intrauterine device. As in primary dimenorrhea, negative factors, such as obesity, smoking and stress, can also affect the occurrence of secondary menstrual pain.

In terms of severity, secondary dysmenorrhea is divided into three subspecies. The first - the easiest - is observed at the beginning of menstruation and does not stay for long, is located in the lower part of the abdomen. The second is a more prolonged subspecies of dysmenorrhea, which is characterized by unceasing 2-3 day pain. Sometimes there is nausea or diarrhea, discomfort throughout the body. The third subspecies of dysmenorrhea is the most severe, characterized by pain lasting from 2 to 7 days. Pain is observed not only in the lower abdomen, but also in the back, and also in the legs. In addition, the work of the gastrointestinal system is disrupted.

Strong menstrual pains not only exhaust the body of a woman, but also change for a time her perception of the world, her reaction to others, to people's behavior. A woman can become irritable, embittered or otherwise detached, may become depressed.

Menstrual pain during pregnancy

During pregnancy, women are almost always concerned about the state of their body, and in particular - the tummy. Therefore, if suddenly there are some painful sensations in the lower abdomen, the girls immediately try to go to the doctor, so as not to endanger their baby.

In the earliest stages of pregnancy, women may experience pain similar to menstrual pain. If menstrual pains appear before the due date, then, most likely, you are pregnant. Usually a similar phenomenon is observed on the 6-12 day after fertilization and is characterized by a pulling pain in the lower abdomen.

Severe menstrual pain during pregnancy, features in the beginning, can mean that the pregnancy is ectopic. If, in addition to pain, dizziness, nausea, or fainting are observed, then you must immediately go for ultrasound. And in case of the beginning of bleeding, only immediate surgical intervention will help you - immediately call for an ambulance. Such symptoms may indicate involuntary abortion, which is treated only in a hospital.

If menstrual pain during pregnancy is caused by trauma, excessive physical exertion or the development of some disease, then a possible negative effect in the form of untimely detachment of the placenta. Such a phenomenon is dangerous for both the mother and the child and requires immediate intervention by the observing gynecologist and possible premature births followed by treatment of the mother and child.

Pains similar to menstrual pain can also occur in the mother's body if the digestive system reacts negatively to food-colitis can occur, gases may form, dysbiosis or a feeling of heaviness. Also, violations of the digestive system are associated not only with food, but also with the expansion of the uterus, which can transmit the gastrointestinal tract to a pregnant woman. Such a manifestation of pregnancy can be adjusted by drawing up the right diet and diet.

If there are menstrual pains during pregnancy in the last stages, then this can be triggered by a constant tension of the abdominal muscles. To relieve soreness, try to relax your tummy.

During pregnancy, there may also be feelings similar to menstrual pains that result from the development of an infectious disease in the urinary system of the mother, as well as exacerbations of appendicitis, pancreatic inflammation or other surgical diseases. They are usually accompanied by additional symptoms - dizziness, severe nausea, fever. In such cases, do not try fate and should immediately seek help from your gynecologist, who will certainly eliminate the unpleasant sensations and help to cope with all the causes of the pain in such a way as not to harm the baby.

Treatment of menstrual pain

The primary type of menstrual pain is treated by adjusting the diet, the way of life, stopping the use of nicotine, and also fighting with constant stress. With functional dysmenorrhea, relaxation helps to cope with pain - lie on a horizontal surface and attach, if possible, a hot water bottle. If after that the pain disappeared, then you need to drink an antispasmodic or anesthetic.

In the case of secondary dysmenorrhea, such methods will not help - only medical intervention will help.

How to get rid of menstrual pain?

During the appearance of menstrual pains, try to rest more, do not burden the body, and apply warm warmers to the stomach. Try to avoid stressful situations that can exacerbate soreness. Try different relaxation techniques.

Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, if possible, do not drink coffee, because these substances contribute to increased pain.

If you have chosen an intrauterine device as a contraceptive and, because of its installation, you have increased painful sensations with a period of a month, you should consider withdrawing such a drug from your body and choosing another contraceptive.

It is also worth thinking about the management of a healthier and more active way of life. Watch your own weight and diet. Spend 30 minutes, 1 hour per day for physical training - running, swimming, fitness or other exercises. They will help strengthen muscles, joints, bones and improve the circulation of blood in your body, which, in turn, will help to transfer menstrual pain.

What to drink with menstrual cramps?

If you can not keep track of your physical activity and diet, you can not quit smoking, or you can not become more resistant to stress, then you will receive medications for menstrual pain.

So what are the means of menstrual pain offered by modern medicine and pharmaceuticals? Doctors say that many non-steroidal medications are effective in fighting pain with menstruation. Such tablets as aspirin, voltaren and ibuprofen can help you get rid of pain during menstruation.

No less effective means of menstrual pain are antispasmodics, such as no-shpa, buscopan, which regulate the level of prostaglandin in your body. For the most effective treatment, it is necessary to start taking the medication for a couple of days before the start of menstruation and finish the reception on day 2 after the onset of discharge. However, the continuous use of these drugs is not recommended, especially without consulting a doctor, as this may lead to inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The doctor may prescribe paracetamol or other analgesics in return for these drugs.

There are cases when, with very severe pain during menstruation, the intake of birth control pills is prescribed. These drugs regulate the production of eggs in the female body by increasing the amount of hormones estrogen and progesterone. They also reduce the amount of blood flowing to the uterus during menstruation. This leads to a decrease in the abundance of bloody discharge and, consequently, to the reduction of painful sensations. Your doctor may prescribe contraceptives for menstrual pain - danazol, progestogen or other agents that release gonadotropin, but the latter can have many negative side effects.

How to relieve menstrual pain?

If you do not want to go to the doctor and the pain is repeated in month by month in your strength and character of manifestation, then you should know the basic names of the pills that help to get rid of unpleasant sensations, as well as the means that help to cope with temporary female ailments.

First of all, take care of your own food - some food can increase pain during menstruation, so you should avoid using them before and during menstruation. Most often negatively affect the body during the monthly products, in which there is arachidonic acid - these are products of animal origin, saturated fats. Instead, it is better to increase the consumption of fish products, which help to relax the muscles and remove spasms - tuna, salmon, mackerel and others. Increase also the consumption of nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables and fruits, products containing calcium. Calcium helps to normalize muscle tone and reduce the intensity and amount of spasms. Similar effect has products containing magnesium - beans, dried fruits, cereals, yoghurts, as well as green vegetables.

As for physical activity - do not strain your muscles through the chur, as this can increase the abundance of discharge, increase the flow of blood. However, lying all the time is also not recommended. It is recommended to perform exercises that help to strengthen and stretch muscles - walking or running, aerobic exercises, cardio exercises, yoga.

Help relieve the painful sensations of hot compresses and warm baths, which help relax the muscles and relieve pain in the lower abdomen.

Use more liquid - juices, water, herbal teas - they help to avoid dehydration, accelerate the circulation of blood in the body. A special effect is, for example, warm milk mixed with half a teaspoon of cinnamon - removes spasms and has anti-inflammatory properties.

So how to ease menstrual pain and what drugs can you take to get rid of menstrual pain and not harm your own body?

Analgin for menstrual pain

Analgin has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. He is prescribed, among other things, and with menstrual pain. It is taken orally after meals 0.25-0.5 g twice-thrice a day. The maximum daily dose is 3 g of the drug.

Of the side effects observed decrease in the number of granulocytes or platelets in peripheral blood, the flow of blood vessels (hemorrhage), low blood pressure, interstitial inflammation of the kidneys, allergic rashes.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

But-shpa for menstrual pain

But-spa is a spasmolytic agent that, during menstruation, is taken in the form of tablets or capsules. Used to treat spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs.

The dosage of taking the drug for adults is 40-80 mg three times a day. In this case, the maximum daily dose of the drug per day is 200 mg.

Of the side effects known - dizziness, palpitations, increased sweating and body temperature, allergic reactions are possible. In unreasonably high doses, it can cause conduction disturbances in the atria and ventricles of the heart, reduce the reaction of the heart muscles and can cause cardiac arrest and paralysis of the respiratory system.

[10], [11], [12], [13]

Other tablets for menstrual pain

To combat menstrual pain, a lot of money has already been invented. Each woman selects the drug, based on the strength and duration of the test pain.

So, some help and no-shpa, and some do not soothe the most powerful painkillers.

More often than not, women now, as the study of women's forums show, use such anesthetic for menstrual pains, like nurofen, novigan, spasmalgon, baralgin, ketans and tamipul.

Nurofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Blocks the generation of proglandins. Quickly absorbed - for 30-60 minutes. Adults can take 0.2-0.8 g 3-4 times a day. It is recommended to take the drug after eating, squeezed with a lot of liquid. Has a number of side effects.

Novigan is a combined remedy with spasmolytic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The drug is prescribed for 1-2 tablets up to 4 times a day. Long-term use of the drug is not recommended. The remedy has an impressive list of side effects.

Spazmalgon - has a combined analgesic and antispasmolytic effect. Well absorbed, the greatest effect is observed after 30-120 minutes. In the form of tablets, the drug is taken up to 3 times a day for 1-2 tablets. It is not recommended to take the drug for longer than 3 days in a row. If the expected effect is absent, discontinue use. Has a number of side effects.

Baralgin - has a combined analgesic and antispasmolytic effect. It is prescribed for spasms of smooth muscles of internal organs. Appointment of 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day as a whole, with a small amount of liquid. There are a lot of side effects.

Ketanov is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, anesthetic. The concentration of the drug in the blood is reached after 45-50 minutes. The drug is prescribed for taking 1 tablet every 4-6 hours. Treatment should not be longer than 7 days. The instruction recommends to reduce the dose of the drug to patients who are lighter than 50 kg, people older than 65 years, as well as patients with impaired renal function. Strong enough drug. For today in drugstores it is on sale only under the prescription of the doctor. Pharmacology provides buyers with analogues of this drug.

Tamipul - an analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antipyretic. The structure includes ibuprofen, paracetamol and caffeine. It is taken orally. To remove menstrual pain, 1-2 capsules are taken up to 4 times a day, depending on the intensity of pain. The maximum amount of the drug per day - 6 pieces. The interval between doses should be at least 4 hours. Has a number of side effects.

Plaster from menstrual pain

Modern pharmaceuticals offer women to refuse or partially replace medicinal preparations with a warming patch, which is used for menstrual pain. Within 20 minutes, the temperature of the patch reaches 50 degrees, which helps to actively affect the foci of pain, improves blood circulation in soft tissues, removes muscle spasms.

It is recommended to use this remedy in the first days of menstruation, when the pain is most pronounced.

The action time is up to 6 hours.

You should use it carefully, as there is a risk of getting burned. Do not use the plaster for more than 12 hours a day.

Do not apply the patch on the affected areas of the body, and also remove it immediately if you feel excessive heating.

Do not tear the patch and avoid getting the contents on the mucous membranes and eyes. In case of contact rinse immediately with water.

Alternative remedies for menstrual pain

Our ancestors as well as we struggled with pain with menstruation. But they did not have a whole army of pharmacists and researchers who came up with the right medical devices, so they had to fight their periodic illness with alternative means.

Acne massage will help to relieve pain. It is worth massaging the point on the inside of the leg, which is between the knee and ankle.

They also say that on such days the ichthyol ointment will help with the disease in a mixture with Vaseline, which should be applied to the lower abdomen. And in the evening you should drink strong infusion of ginger with sugar.

Infusion of water pepper, according to alternative medicine, will help get rid of pain and reduce the abundance of secretions. To prepare the infusion it is necessary to pour a tablespoon of chopped herb with boiling water (1 cup) and insist. Take should be three times a day for 1 tablespoon.

Mature seeds of burdock, boiled in a glass of boiling water, you need to stretch and give a little more infusion. Strain, add sugar to improve the taste and immediately drink the whole glass infusion. Such a tool will help get rid of very severe pain.

Remove spasms smooth muscles of the uterus will also help decoction of the leaves of raspberries. Boil them for 15 minutes and strain the broth to take a glass a day.

Half a teaspoon of ground lime blossom, a pinch of St. John's wort, a teaspoon of chamomile to pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Cooled infusion should be used for a couple of days before the onset of menstruation. Duration of treatment - 4 days. Drink like tea.

A tablespoon of chopped field horsetail, St. John's wort and oak bark should be poured into 0.8 liters of boiling water. Let it brew, use 3-4 times a day with the addition of a few drops of tincture of valerian or motherwort.

On a tablespoon of chopped daisy flowers, St. John's wort and marigold flowers pour half a liter of boiling water. Insist and drink 3-4 times a day with the addition of a few drops of motherwort.

On a teaspoon crushed root of elecampane and a chemist's daisy plus a tablespoon of herb St. John's wort and oak bark add 0.8 liters of boiling water. Insist and drink 3-4 times a day as tea.

All prescriptions suggest starting treatment 1-2 days before the start of menstruation and lasting 4 days.

Menstrual pains bother almost all women of childbearing age. Remember that pain is not worth it. If you experience menstrual pain, consult a gynecologist and find the best solution for relieving the symptoms of periodic pain. Be careful when using both medications and by using alternative medicine.

Be healthy!

[14], [15], [16]