by Grace Ojulari
Dysmenorrhea is pain during menstruation. It is also known as menstrual cramps or period cramps that occurs during the time that menstruation begins.
There are two types of dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea:This is the name for menstrual cramps that comes back during every flow.The pain begins begins one or two days before bleeding starts or the actual time the bleeding starts.The pain may be either mild or severe in the lower abdomen,back or thighs.
Secondary dysmenorrhea:This is caused by conditions or infections in the reproductive organs e.g endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroid etc. pains from secondary dysmenorrhea behind earlier, and lasts longer than the normal menstrual cramps .
This type of dysmenorrhea is less common
Causes of dysmenorrhea:
Dysmenorrhea occurs when a chemical called prostaglandin makes the uterus tighten up.During menstruation prostaglandin levels are higher,which means the uterus contracts more strongly.Thus is the cramping and discomfort felt .
These contractions helps shed your uterus lining, which is the blood and tissue that comes out of the vaginal during menstrual period.prostagladin level rise before menstruation begins and decrease when period starts which is why cramping ease up after a few days.
How to relieve dysmenorrhea
Inflammatory drugs
Hormonal medications
Using heating pad /water bottle on lower abdomen
Avoiding caffeine
Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol
Exercising regularly