Most women experience period pain and cramps during menstruation, but it is usually mild and resolves within a day. You may need medical intervention if you struggle with severe cramping that affects your ability to carry out your daily activities. If you are struggling with painful periods Orlando, inform your most trusted specialist at Contemporary Women’s Care for a pelvic exam and treatment.
Is dysmenorrhea normal during menstruation?
Period pain and cramps are medically known as dysmenorrhea. Most women and teenagers experience menstrual cramps and pain, but their severity varies from one woman to another. The pain may occur in your thighs, lower back, abdomen, and hips. There are two categories of dysmenorrhea: primary dysmenorrhea, which develops at the onset of your periods and the pain lessens over time, and secondary dysmenorrhea, which is associated with an underlying reproductive disorder.
The period pain associated with a health disorder may worsen if not treated. Most women experience mild discomfort during menstruation but if you experience severe cramps that interfere with your daily life, inform your doctor immediately.
What factors contribute to extreme period pain?
During menstruation, the body produces hormones such as prostaglandin, which cause the contraction of your uterus. Intense uterus contractions can constrict your blood vessels, cutting blood to the tissue in your uterus, leading to a period pan. Reproductive health conditions that may cause secondary dysmenorrhea to include uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, cervical stenosis, and endometriosis.
If you are younger than 30, started puberty early, and have irregular or heavy periods, you are more likely to experience menstrual cramps. Lifestyle factors like being an unhealthy weight or smoking can also increase the intensity of your menstrual pain.
How can you know if your period pain is normal?
If you have intense menstrual cramps lasting more than three days, contact your doctor immediately for a medical check-up. There is a treatment for both primary and secondary dysmenorrhea, so getting a comprehensive medical exam is vital. During your Contemporary Women’s Care appointment, the team may discuss your menstrual cycle and symptoms. You may also need a pelvic exam to rule out any underlying disorders.
During the exam, your doctor slides a speculum into your vagina to examine your uterus and cervix. The team may draw a small fluid sample from your vagina for further tests. If you have a medical disorder, your provider may discuss the available treatments and recommend the most effective.
How can you relieve menstrual cramps?
After your medical exam, your doctor may recommend exercise, heating pads, and over-the-counter painkillers for primary dysmenorrhea. Stomach crunches may be uncomfortable when experiencing menstrual cramps, but stretching your uterine muscles is also an effective remedy. Sometimes, your specialist may prescribe birth control pills to reduce your pain by regulating the hormones. If you have an underlying reproductive disorder, the team treats it and recommends several medications to manage your pain. For instance, if uterine fibroids are responsible for your intense cramping, your specialist may recommend uterine fibroid embolization.
You don’t have to tolerate excruciating menstrual cramps that lower the quality of life. Call the Contemporary Women’s Care office or book your spot online.
