For many women, once it is that period of the month, they experience
fear and anxiety because of the pain and discomfort they suffer during
their menstrual periods. Dull or cramping pain in the lower abdomen,
pain in the lower back and thighs, nausea, vomiting, sweating,
dizziness, diarrhea, loose stools, constipation, headaches, and
lightheadedness (feeling faint) in varying degrees of severity are some
of the symptoms that accompany their period.
This has made many to tag the menstrual period as a period to dread.
It is important to note that menstrual cramps are neither an abnormality
nor a plague as some women wrongly believe. Menstrual cramp, which can
also be referred to as Dysmenorrhea or period pains, is a painful
sensation felt in the lower abdomen and it can occur both before and
during a woman’s menstrual
period. It is caused by contractions in the
uterus. The uterus is a pear-shaped organ where a baby grows, and
contracts throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle. When the uterus
contracts too strongly, it can press against nearby blood vessels,
cutting off the supply of oxygen to the muscle tissue of the uterus.
Pain results when part of a muscle briefly loses its supply of oxygen.
According to Dr Issac Adeoye of the Obafemi Awolowo University
Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Osun State, “Menstrual cramps are caused by
physiological conditions. About 45 per cent to 95 per cent of women can
have it in a locality and severe types are usually associated with
abnormal conditions like fibroids.”
Dysmenorrhea can be primary or secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is the
most common type of menstrual cramp and it is characterised by pain in
the lower abdomen and lower back, beginning one to two days before the
period. It lasts from two to four days. However, secondary dysmenorrhea
is characterised by cramping pains that are due to an identifiable
medical problem such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic
inflammatory disease.
Studies have shown that women who do not exercise experience more
painful menstrual cramps. Certain psychological factors such as
emotional stress may also increase the likelihood of having menstrual
cramps.
Other medical conditions capable of causing menstrual cramps include
endometriosis which occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus
develops outside the uterus; uterine fibroids, which is a non-cancerous
tumor and growth in the wall of the uterus; Adenomyosis, where the
tissue that lines the uterus grows into the muscular walls of the
uterus; pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a sexually transmitted
infection caused by a bacterium, and cervical stenosis which is when the
opening of the cervix is small and limits menstrual flow.
For a lot of people who suffer menstrual cramps, they take aspirin or
any pain reliever as soon as bleeding or cramping starts or sometimes
place a heating pad or hot water bottle on the lower back or abdomen for
relief. Others have realized that taking a warm bath may also provide
some relief.
However, Dr. Adeoye says, “non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDS), which are mostly used, can cause dyspepsia and in the long
run, peptic ulcer if used often. It can also aggravate ulcer patients
conditions.”
Sometimes, physicians will prescribe hormonal birth control pills.
This will prevent ovulation and reduce the severity of the cramps. 97
per cent of physicians in a poll said that continuous oral contraceptive
therapy to suppress menstruation is, in fact, medically safe and
acceptable – even though many women do not know this, a study found.
According to another study, Chinese herbal medicines have been found to help women with menstrual cramps.
Surgery may help to reduce some menstrual cramp symptoms but this carries additional risks.
Additional treatments that have been suggested to relieve menstrual
cramp pain include lying in a hot bath, sex, yoga, massages, meditation,
acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and
dietary supplements (such as vitamin E, thiamin and omega-3). Women with
menstrual cramps should not only get adequate rest and sleep, but also
regular exercise.
Since menstrual cramp is not a plague, there are several ways it can
be prevented. They include eating fruits and vegetables and limiting
intake of fat, alcohol, caffeine, salt, and sugary food; exercising
regularly; reducing stress; quitting smoking and yoga or relaxation
therapy.
Quite a number of people believe the use of herbs can help in
relieving the cramps. However, Dr Adeoye states that herbs generally are
not encouraged in modern medicine due to their non-scientific method of
preparation and administration. He adds that “excessive herbs can
damage body organs. It would be better if one takes much water and then,
reduce stress. If the pain is severe, it is advisable you see a
doctor.”
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