DYSMENORRHOEA (Painful periods)

What is it?
Pain during period is called Dysmenorrhoea.  In some women this can be very severe affecting day to day life.

What causes it?
In some cases there is an identifiable cause while in other it is not so. When there is no apparent cause in the womb it is called Primary dysmenorrhoea. This is the commonest type and is seen in teenagers and women in their early 20’s. Where there is a disease of the womb causing the pain, it is called Secondary dysmenorrhoea. It is seen in women around their third and fourth decade of life.

What are the reasons for the pain?
The reason is not clearly known. It thought that it maybe due to a build up of chemicals/hormones during periods which causes excessive squeezing of muscles of the womb resulting in reduces blood to the womb. In some women the womb maybe extra sensitive to this chemical causing pain. In secondary dysmenorrhoea various different gynecological conditions like fibroids , ovarian cyst , endometriosis are the causes of pain.

What are the symptoms?
Painis the primary complaint. It usually starts with the bleeding but sometimes may start a day or so earlier. The pain usually lasts 12-24 hrs but sometimes may last 3-4 days. It is commonly seen that the intensity of pain reduces as the woman increases in age. It some it completely disappears after a pragnancy.

Pain in secondary dysmenorrhoea is very varied according to the underlying cause.

What is the treatment?
Warmth – warm bath or  a hot water bottle against lower abdomen maybe soothing to some.
Pain killers – There are many under different names for sale. Some of the common over-the-counter medications used are Panadol, Ponstan and Brufen. All medications should be ideally used under the guidance of your doctor.
Contraceptive pill (combined pill)– this reduces the chemical substance related to pain during periods.
Treatment of secondary dysmenorrohoea is the treatment of the disease.