Period Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)
You might experience a few of the following signs: Pain or cramps in lower stomach Pain moves to back and/or upper thighs Occurs at the beginning of my period/just before my period Pain/cramps last less than 3 days Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Headache Diarrhea HOW TO TREAT UNCOMPLICATED MENSTRUAL CRAMPS Dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps (painful periods), can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle changes that may help to alleviate symptoms include: Regular exercise, such as walking or yoga Adopting a healthy diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains Reducing stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing Avoiding smoking and alcohol Getting enough sleep Medications that can be used to treat dysmenorrhea include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which can help to reduce pain, inflammation and can be taken as soon as the menstrual cramps start Over the counter choices include Naproxen 220 mg (as directed) or Ibuprofen 400-600mg (as directed). Hormonal birth control, such as the pill or an intrauterine device (IUD), which can help to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce cramping. If you have severe dysmenorrhea or your symptoms have not improved with lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medications or the Mister Pharmacist prescription of NSAIDs, it is important to see a doctor. Your doctor may recommend additional treatments such as prescription pain medication or hormonal therapy. It’s also important to note that if you have heavy menstrual bleeding or irregular cycles, you should see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Red Flags than may require you to see a doctor Fever Vaginal discharge Painful intercourse or bleeding after intercourse Abnormal heavy menstrual bleeding Persistent menstrual bleeding (between periods) Feel lump in stomach or pelvic area Changes in menstrual fluid (colour/odour/flow) Pain only on one side (left or right) New pain/cramps occuring outside of regular menstrual period Started > 2 years after first menstruation Over age 25 and this pain is new Symptoms that happen outside the first 3 days of menstruation, or timing is not related to menstrual cycle Pelvic disease Ovarian cysts/fibroids Inflammatory bowel disease Irritable bowel disease Uterine polyps Heart disease or family history of early heart disease Heart attack, stroke, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol Peripheral artery disease Bleeding disorder or taking a blood thinner Had an IUD (intrauterine device) inserted within the last 6 months Medical Emergency Screening If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.
Say Goodbye to Menstrual Pain: Break Free From the Agony with Mister Pharmacist’s help!”
For many women, menstruation can be a time of physical and emotional discomfort. An estimated 90% of women experience bothersome symptoms during their period, such as dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding -subject to another article) . Of this percentage, one in three women suffer from moderate to severe symptoms that can significantly interfere with their daily activities and quality of life. While the cause of menstrual symptoms is still debated, it is thought that uterine contractions triggered by the drop in progesterone at the start of a period may be to blame. This disruption in hormone levels can lead to dysmenorrhea symptoms that usually peak when menses are heaviest and can last two to three days. Fortunately, there are treatments available to manage the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. At Mister Pharmacist, we understand that having dysmenorrhea can be a debilitating experience for many women. That’s why we are here to help you find the best treatments for managing your condition. When it comes to treating dysmenorrhea, there are many nondrug treatments that you can use to manage the pain and discomfort associated with it. Some Non Drug treatment approaches include: 1. Yoga and Meditation: Practicing yoga can be a great way to relax and reduce stress, which can help reduce the pain and cramping that comes with dysmenorrhea. Meditation can also help to alleviate stress and improve your overall wellbeing. 2. Diet: Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help to improve your body’s response to pain. Also, incorporating foods that are high in magnesium, such as dark leafy greens, legumes, and nuts, can help to reduce the intensity of your menstrual cramps. 3. Heat: Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to your lower abdomen or lower back can help to relax the muscles in the area and reduce the painful cramping associated with dysmenorrhea. 4. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help to reduce stress and relieve cramping. Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, and cycling are great ways to get your body moving and reduce the intensity of your painful periods. 5. Complementary Therapies: Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and herbal remedies may also be helpful in reducing the pain associated with dysmenorrhea. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can also be of value (think “Dr. Ho” devices popularized in infomercials). Don’t smoke, as smoking as been shown to increase dysmenorrhea episodes. Drug Treatment of dysmenorrhea Medication plays an important role in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruations. Medications can be used to reduce the symptoms and severity of dysmenorrhea, which can significantly improve a woman’s overall comfort and well-being. The two major types of dysmenorrhea are primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. 1) Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by normal hormonal changes and affects women during each menstrual cycle. This type of dysmenorrhea is usually treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce inflammation, which can reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps. Common NSAIDs used to treat primary dysmenorrhea are ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin. Acetaminophen is less effective than NSAIDs for relieving dysmenorrhea ; however, it has better gastrointestinal tolerance compared to NSAIDs. Many OTC menstrual pain preparations (e.g., Midol Complete, Pamprin [U.S.], etc) contain Acetaminophen, yet there is no good evidence that these combination products are effective for dysmenorrhea. Although many of these preparations contain mild diuretics (caffeine, pamabrom), there is very little evidence to support their use. Pyrilamine, an antihistamine, is sometimes included in these preparations for its proposed action on water retention, but its efficacy remains unproven. 2) Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a medical condition, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids. This type of dysmenorrhea is usually treated with hormone therapy or surgery. If a medical condition is the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea, medications may be prescribed to control the underlying condition, such as oral contraceptives or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists). When medications are used to treat dysmenorrhea, it is important to discuss any possible side effects with your doctor. Some medications may cause nausea, vomiting, or headaches, which can be uncomfortable and disruptive. Other medications, such as GnRH agonists, can cause irregular menstrual cycles or bone density changes. What is the role of Hormonal Contraceptive In menstrual pain. Combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) are a safe and effective option for managing dysmenorrhea for women who also want contraception and have no contraindications. CHCs suppress ovulation and reduce symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea in women. This is especially true if the CHCs are used in a continuous-cycle dosing, such as extended-cycle products, skipping the placebo pills. CHCs have been shown to be superior in reducing dysmenorrhea than other methods of contraception. This includes other hormonal methods such as the progestin-only pill, and non-hormonal methods such as barrier contraceptives. Furthermore, CHCs have also been compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly used to reduce dysmenorrhea. It has been found that CHCs are more effective than NSAIDs in reducing dysmenorrhea. For women who cannot take estrogen, progestin-only oral contraceptives are an alternative to CHCs for dysmenorrhea. Treatment effects for dysmenorrhea appear to be comparable to CHCs. In addition, progestin-only contraceptives have been found to be superior in reducing the intensity of dysmenorrhea than other types of nonhormonal contraceptives. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) has also been shown to reduce dysmenorrhea during contraception studies. DMPA is an injectable contraceptive that is typically administered every three months. This makes it a convenient option for women who do not want to take daily or weekly contraceptives, but still wish to manage their dysmenorrhea. Dietary Supplements Many women prefer to use dietary supplements as a natural treatment. However, there is limited evidence to support the use of many of these supplements in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Fenugreek, fish oil, ginger, magnesium, vitamin B1, valerian, zataria, zinc, and other supplements have been used and promoted for the treatment of dysmenorrhea. However, a review of the available evidence suggests that there is insufficient data