Painful periods, or dysmenorrhea, are characterized by severe menstrual cramps that can disrupt daily activities. They may be caused by conditions like endometriosis or fibroids and often require medical attention for effective management.
Dysmenorrhea is the painful cramps that occur with periods in the lower abdomen before or during the menstrual cycle. It is the most common gynecologic problem in women of all ages and race. Despite menstrual pains being highly prevalent among young adolescents, most females suffer in silence and fail to report their symptoms to medical professionals, due to the cultural taboos associated with “that time of the month.”
Period pain from your first period or shortly after, and without a known cause, is known as Primary Dysmenorrhoea. Onset is typically 6 to 12 months after menarche, with peak prevalence occurring in the late teens or early twenties.
Characteristic symptoms of Painful Periods:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain with or without radiation to the back or legs
- With initial onset 6 to 12 months after menarche
- Pain typically lasts 8 to 72 hours
- Usually occurs at the onset of menstrual flow.
- Lower back pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Period pain caused by certain reproductive disorders, such as adenomyosis, endometriosis or fibroids, is known as Secondary Dysmenorrhoea.
Family history is helpful in differentiating primary from secondary dysmenorrhea.
Physiotherapy treatments such as using TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) helps in treating primary dysmenorrhea.
