Dysmenorrhea can be primary or secondary. Primary
dysmenorrhea involves no physical abnormality and
usually begins within three years after you begin
menstruating. Secondary dysmenorrhea involves an
underlying physical cause, such as endometriosis or
uterine fibroids.
If you have primary dysmenorrhea,
there are some measures you can take to ease the
discomfort. You can also take comfort in knowing that
cramps tend to decrease in intensity as you get older
and often disappear after pregnancy. For secondary
dysmenorrhea, managing your cramps involves treating the
underlying cause.
What causes cramps and painful periods?
Each month
the female hormone, estrogen, causes the inner lining
of the uterus (the endometrium) to thicken every month
Soon after a tiny sac in your
ovary that contains a single egg (ovum) ruptures and
releases its egg.
If the egg is fertilized
on its way to your uterus, the egg will be implanted in
the lining of the uterus
However
if the egg is not fertilized the lining of the uterus
will be released. Soon after the woman's menstrual flow
would begin.
When the old uterine lining begins to break down,
molecular compounds called prostaglandins cause the muscles of the uterus to
contract. It is believed that prostaglandins causes the
menstrual cramps to occur.
What are the symptoms of menstrual cramps?
Most women suffers from menstrual cramps at some part of
their lives. It becomes problematic when it becomes a
hinder to their normal daily routine.
Menstrual cramps sometimes occurs as sharp pains in the
lower abdomen, lower back and thighs. The pain starts at
onset of menses and lasts for hours to days. They can be
a quite painful or simply a dull ache. They
usually start shortly before the menstrual period, peak
within 24 hours after the onset of the pains.
In severe cases they may be accompanied by a headache
and/or nausea and may lead to
the point of vomiting. Others symptoms are:
-
Dizziness
-
Nausea and vomiting
-
Diarrhea
or loose stools.
-
Sweating
-
Lack of energy.
-
Urinary frequency.
-
Irritability, nervousness,
depression.
Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhea
Herbal formulation can be taken to effectively treat the
problem or some healthcare professionals may recommend
nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs like taking
ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin.
Treatment for Secondary Dysmenorrhea
The treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea depends on
its cause and different underlying conditions
may require different types of treatment. But so far
herbal formulations have been proven to be the most
effective way to treat menstrual cramps and they are
without side effects. Herbs like Paeonia Lactiflora,
Angelica Sinensis and Glycyrrhiza Glabra have
traditional bee used to treat menstrual cramps.
Bai shao or white peony was considered useful for
hypertension, chest pain, muscle cramping and spasms,
and fever. It was an important remedy for female
reproductive conditions ranging from dysmenorrhea
(painful menstruation) to irregular menses.
Peony (paeonia lactiflora)
contains a unique glycoside called paeoniflorin.
Proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, tannins,
polysaccharides, and paeoniflorin are all considered
to contribute to the medicinal activity of various
forms of peony. Paeoniflorin's major effect seems to
be to calm nerves and alleviate spasm. One study has
confirmed the efficacy of formula with peony and
licorice for relieving muscle cramps due to cirrhosis
of the liver, diabetes, and dialysis, approved for
treatment of muscle cramps. Another formulation
combines peony root with dong quai and four other
herbs and has been found to effectively reduce
symptoms of cramping and pain associated with
dysmenorrhea (painful menses).
Clinical studies by western scientists have shown
that Radix Angelicae Sinensis can be used to treat
abdominal pain.
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