A lady doctor may refer to your menstrual cramps as dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a medical term for painful menstrual cycles caused by uterine contractions. There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
- Primary dysmenorrhea is characterised by recurrent pain during periods.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by disorders of the reproductive system.
The good news is that they both can be treated; you can consult with an online lady doctor to get yourself treated.
It is important to know about dysmenorrhea and menstrual cramps to find its treatment. So, let’s talk about menstrual cramps now– what are they? Why do they happen? And how to treat them?
What Are Menstrual Cramps?
Menstrual cramps are one of the most common and annoying parts of menstruation. Menstrual cramps are aching throbs you feel in your lower belly the day before and during your period. Many women get them before or during their monthly cycle, often recurring.
Menstrual cramps range from mild to severe. They usually happen for the first time a year or two after a girl first begins to get her period, and they usually become less painful and stop after your first child as you age.
What Are The Symptoms Of Menstrual Cramps?
Depending on whether you are experiencing mild or severe cramps, the intensity of your symptoms will differ. It is common to experience the following when one is dealing with menstrual cramps:
- Aching pain in the belly
- Pain in lower back, hips and inner thighs
- Feeling of pressure in the belly
And when you are experiencing severe menstrual cramps, the symptoms may include:
- Nausea and puking
- An upset stomach
- Loose stools
Why Do Menstrual Cramps Happen?
Women suffer from menstrual cramps due to contractions in the uterus or womb, which is a muscle. Your menstrual cycle can cause it to contract too strongly, which can press against nearby vessels. Oxygen is briefly cut off to the uterus as a result. Your pain and cramps are caused by the lack of oxygen in your body.
That is not it. Cramps may also occur as a result of:
- Endometriosis is when the tissue lining the uterine cavity (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus.
- Uterine fibroids
- In Adenomyosis, the uterine lining becomes fused to the muscle surrounding it.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is an infection of the uterus caused by bacteria that can spread to other reproductive organs.
- After menopause, uterine stenosis may occur as a result of scarring and a lack of estrogen in the body.
When Should You Call Your Lady Doctor?
Menstrual cramps that last longer than 2 or 3 days should be reported to your lady doctor. Your doctor will examine your reproductive organs to figure out the root cause of your ailment and provide you with the proper treatment that will help you manage the pain.
Your lady doctor will examine you and find out the underlying problem and provide the right treatment for it. If you experience cramps, you should have them checked out, no matter the cause.
