What Is Dysmenorrhoea?
Period cramps or painful menstruation are known as dysmenorrhoea. Primary dysmenorrhoea starts at the beginning of the period and lasts throughout life. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is caused by underlying conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. Primary dysmenorrhoea occurs one or two days before the start of the period and subsides. Secondary dysmenorrhoea, on the other hand, causes pain to begin earlier and last longer than typical menstrual cramps.
Symptoms of Dysmenorrhoea
Primary dysmenorrhoea is primarily caused by a lack of balance in chemicals that control uterine contraction, such as prostaglandins. Prostaglandin levels rise during menstruation, which causes the uterus to contract. These contractions shed the uterine lining. After menstruation, prostaglandin levels decrease, and pain eases. Common dysmenorrhoea symptoms include the following:
- Cramping and pain in the lower part of the abdomen
- Throbbing pain in the abdomen which may become severe
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the hips and thighs
- Pain in the lower abdomen that spread out to the legs
- Pressure in the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Extreme tiredness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Headaches
Dysmenorrhoea Risk Factors
Mild to moderate cramping during the periods is very normal. But for some women, cramping can be severe and can affect everyday activities. Dysmenorrhoea can affect any woman, but there are some risk factors that make some women more prone to dysmenorrhoea.
- Smoking- women who smoke are more likely to have dysmenorrhoea
- Alcohol tends to prolong the pain and cramping caused by menstruation. Therefore, women who take alcohol during menstruation are more prone to dysmenorrhoea.
- Overweight and obese women are more likely to experience pain during periods due to neuroendocrine effect.
- Women whose period starts before 11 years of age
- No one knows how, but pregnancy and childbirth reduce dysmenorrhoea. Therefore, women who have never been pregnant experience dysmenorrhoea.
Conclusion
All in all, dysmenorrhoea meaning suggests painful menstruation. It refers to the discomfort and pain associated with menstruation. While mild cramps are normal for many, certain factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and early onset of periods can increase the risk of severe cramps, significantly impacting daily activities. Therefore, it's essential to understand its causes and symptoms for effective management and relief. Having health insurance can help alleviate the financial burden of medical consultations and treatments associated with managing such conditions.