Menstrual cramps are a common symptom in women of reproductive age. The severity of the pain varies from age to age. Most women have experienced menstrual cramps and tend to think that menstrual cramps are normal, especially if the pain is only minor and they can go about their daily lives as usual. However, minor menstrual cramps that last for a long time can be a sign of a serious disease, just like severe menstrual cramps that affect quality of life.
What are the symptoms of menstrual cramps ?
Many women experience pain in the abdomen one to two days before and during their periods during the first few days of their period. Dysmenorrhea can range from mild cramps or cramps to severe pain in the lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include lower back pain, nausea, sweating, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, dizziness, and headache.
Causes of menstrual cramps
On average, every 28 days, if the egg is not fertilized by sperm, the uterine lining will shed as menstruation. Menstrual pain is caused by a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin, which forms in the uterine lining during menstruation. Prostaglandin causes the muscles to contract and spasm, similar to the pain during childbirth. It also causes nausea and diarrhea. If the body releases a large amount of this substance, it will increase the intensity of the contractions, ทางเข้า https://ufabet999.app making menstrual pain even more painful.
Types of symptoms: Menstrual cramps
Menstrual pain is divided into two types.
Primary dysmenorrhea
It is the most common type of menstrual pain. It is usually caused by the endometrium producing too much prostaglandin.
Secondary dysmenorrhea
Caused by abnormalities of the uterus or other reproductive organs.
- Endometriosis is caused by endometriosis growing outside the uterus. When it grows in the wrong place, but still has the function of producing menstrual blood, it may cause menstrual blood in the pelvis. The area where the endometrium attaches each menstrual cycle will cause severe pain in the lower abdomen and may be a cause of infertility.
- Endometriosis (endomyosis) is a condition in which the endometrium grows inside the muscle of the uterus. Patients will experience severe menstrual pain and/or heavier and longer-than-normal menstrual blood.
- Uterine fibroids are usually benign and can range in size from very small to very large. Larger ones can cause heavy or spotting periods that last for weeks, along with chronic menstrual or lower back pain.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive system, mostly caused by sexually transmitted diseases. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic inflammation and menstrual pain, and can be a cause of infertility.
- Cervical stenosis is caused by the cervix being too narrow, which slows down menstrual flow. However, if the opening is completely closed, fluid can remain in the uterine cavity, causing severe and chronic abdominal pain.