Dysmenorrhea : Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Dysmenorrhea is a condition that is very common, with studies showing it affects 20% to 90% women of reproductive age worldwide. Dysmenorrhea is basically the pain in the lower abdomen and back that happens before periods and goes away after a few days. But when the pain does not go away in a few days, and its intensity increases, then it can be due to increased prostaglandin (primary) or underlying conditions like endometriosis (secondary). It can be easily treated in Ayurveda, mainly by the use of herbal medication.
What is Dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods, can be described as the pain or cramps that happen in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Along with pain, some people also experience other symptoms like nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea. Pain during periods is quite common among people. But when the pain is severe, it becomes an issue and starts to interfere with day-to-day tasks. It can be treated using Pharmacological medication.
There are two types of dysmenorrhea: Primary and Secondary.
Primary Dysmenorrhea
It is the pain that happens during every menstrual cycle, and there are no medical conditions associated with it. It is quite common and affects almost all women of reproductive age. The pain shows up before the period and fades away after a few days. Intensity of the pain is mild to high, mostly in the lower abdomen and back, and sometimes headaches.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
When painful periods are caused by underlying medical conditions or diseases, they are called secondary dysmenorrhea. This type of pain starts earlier than normal menstrual cramps and stays longer. This condition is less common because the intensity and duration of pain are not normal. There are several other symptoms that may show up in secondary dysmenorrhea.
In Ayurveda, dysmenorrhea is associated with kashtartava, which is painful cramps during menstruation. It is caused mainly due to the imbalance in Apana vata of the Vata dosha and hindered blood flow. Kashtartava is primary dysmenorrhea, and for dysmenorrhea in Ayurveda, gynecological issues are the root cause, along with improper diet and lifestyle.
Causes of Dysmenorrhea
The main cause of painful periods or Primary dysmenorrhea is the tightening up of the uterus, which happens more strongly during the periods. The tightening up of the uterus helps shed the uterine lining during menstruation. The tightening of the uterus is caused by the release of prostaglandin, which is released in higher amounts during periods. The levels of prostaglandin decrease after the period.
In case of secondary dysmenorrhea, the cause of painful periods is infection in the reproductive tract or organs, and other conditions like-
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)- It is a bacterial infection in the uterus which then spreads to other reproductive organs. This condition causes pain in the lower abdomen and during sexual intercourse.
- Endometriosis- It is a disease in which the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus and can cause swelling, heavy bleeding, and pain during menstruation.
- Adenomyosis- When the lining of the uterus grows into the muscles of the uterus, the size of the uterus increases abnormally, which causes pain and abnormal bleeding.
- Fibroids- Fibroids are non-cancerous outgrowths on the uterus, which may be inside, outside, or on the uterine wall.
Symptoms of painful periods
The main symptom of painful periods is mild to severe pain in the lower abdomen and back. Other symptoms include-
- Pressure in the abdomen
- Pain in the thighs
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
If symptoms are severe and the pain is unbearable, it is time to see a gynecologist. Many people don’t get painful periods treated, even if the pain is severe.
Diagnosis of Dysmenorrhea
To diagnose whether dysmenorrhea is primary or secondary, there are different methods for both. To diagnose primary dysmenorrhea, doctors ask questions about the symptoms and intensity of the pain. Then they perform a physical examination by inserting fingers in the vagina to check for any abnormalities. If there are no abnormalities, then it is diagnosed as primary dysmenorrhea. If the health care provider suspects that it is secondary dysmenorrhea, then there are other procedures to check for underlying conditions, like-
- Ultrasound- An imaging technique to see any abnormalities in the uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive organs.
- Laparoscopy- A small cut is made into the lower abdomen, and a thin, long tube with a camera at the front is inserted into it to see the internals for diseases.
- Hysteroscopy- A thin, long tube is inserted into the vagina to see the cervix and the insides of the uterus.
If the diagnosis shows primary dysmenorrhea, then it is not an issue; if it is secondary dysmenorrhea, then it can be treated easily in Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic Treatment Options for Dysmenorrhea
Treatment in Ayurveda focuses on balancing the Vata dosha, specifically Apana vata, through herbal medicines, oils, lifestyle and diet changes, and with some home remedies. The main ayurvedic herbs include-
- Ashoka- It is known as a uterine tonic that reduces cramps and regulates menstrual flow.
- Shatavari- It is useful in relieving pain and balancing hormones.
- Lodhra- It is also helpful in reducing pain and managing abdominal cramps.
- Dashmoola- It is helpful in reducing pelvic muscle inflammation, which in turn reduces pain.
- Ginger –Ginger is taken in the form of hot tea and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which also help in reducing cramps.
Home Remedies
- Massage – Massaging with warm oil around the abdomen reduces pain.
- Herbal teas- Herbs like ginger and fennel seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, and they reduce abdominal cramps.
- Diet- A good diet also helps reduce the symptoms of Painful periods, which include green leafy vegetables. Freshly cooked warm food is best. Avoiding processed foods and caffeine is recommended.
- Lifestyle: Daily yoga, stress management, and plenty of sleep help maintain overall health.
If you feel you have abnormal pain or bleeding or any disease related to menstruation or fertility issues, you can come to Gynocci Femtech, the best Ayurvedic clinic with a track record in successfully treating gynecological disorders with the help of Ayurveda.
Treatment in modern medicine
It includes Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which help in relieving pain during menstruation. They lower the amount of the chemical prostaglandin. They should be taken as soon as the abdominal cramps start.
Hormone therapy is also helpful, in which doctors recommend taking birth control with the help of hormones, which reduces menstrual pain. These include birth control pills, vaginal rings, etc.
But long term use of NSAIDs and other hormonal therapy have very destructive effects on our body.
Other treatment options include-
- Diet optimization
- Rest
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
FAQs
Can dysmenorrhea last for 3 days?
Yes, Primary dysmenorrhea starts on the day you start bleeding in the form of abdominal cramps and ends in 2-3 days.
What is the root cause of Dysmenorrhea?
The root cause of primary dysmenorrhea is the chemical prostaglandin, which stimulates the contraction of the uterus, causing cramps. For secondary dysmenorrhea, there can be infections or other underlying conditions that cause bleeding and severe pain during menstruation.
How to relieve dysmenorrhea fast?
To relieve painful periods at home, you can massage the abdominal area with warm oil to relieve pain, warm foods, ginger tea, which helps with inflammation and period pain, etc.
Can stress cause dysmenorrhea?
Yes, stress can cause dysmenorrhea or increase the cramps and pain. During stress, cortisol and prostaglandin are released, which increase the uterine contractions.
