Ladies.....your period..

ladyscorpio

Lively up yourself
BGOL Investor
Dysmenorrhea
(Period Cramps, Menstrual Cramps)​
The Facts on Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea can be literally translated as "difficult monthly flow." Although it's normal for most women to have mild abdominal cramps on the first day or two of their period, about 10% of women experience severe pain.

There are two types of dysmenorrhea:

* Primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that's not a symptom of an underlying gynecologic disorder but related to the normal process of menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea is common, affecting more than 50% of women, and quite severe in about 10%. This is the most common type of dysmenorrhea.
* Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that's related to some kind of gynecologic disorder.

Dysmenorrhea is more likely to affect girls during adolescence. Fortunately for many women, the problem eases as they mature, particularly after a pregnancy. At some time, more than half of all teenage girls and young women experience dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is painful and sometimes debilitating for brief periods of time, but it's not harmful. Although secondary dysmenorrhea, can be associated with gynecological conditions, most of these can be easily treated.
Causes of Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is thought to be caused by excessive levels of prostaglandins, hormones that make your uterus contract during menstruation and childbirth. Its pain probably results from contractions of your uterus that occur when the blood supply to its lining (endometrium) is reduced. Usually, the pain will happen only during menstrual cycles in which an egg is released. The pain may progressively become worse as endometrial tissue shed during a menstrual period passes through the cervix, particularly when the cervical canal is narrow.

Other factors that may make the pain of primary dysmenorrhea even worse include a uterus that tilts backward (retroverted uterus) instead of forward, lack of exercise, and psychological or social stress.

Secondary dysmenorrhea may be caused by a number of conditions, including:

* fibroids - benign tumours that develop within the uterine wall or are attached to it
* adenomyosis - the tissue that lines the uterus (called the endometrium) begins to grow within its muscular walls
* a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
* endometriosis - fragments of the endometrial lining escape the uterus and become implanted on other pelvic organs
* pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is primarily an infection of the fallopian tubes, but can also affect the ovaries, uterus, and cervix
* an ovarian cyst or tumour

Symptoms and Complications of Dysmenorrhea

The main symptom of dysmenorrhea is pain. It occurs in your lower abdomen during menstruation and may also be felt in your hips, lower back, or thighs. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, or general aching. For most women, the pain usually starts shortly before or during their menstrual period, peaks after 24 hours, and subsides after 2 days. Sometimes clots or pieces of bloody tissue from the lining of the uterus are expelled from the uterus, causing pain.

Dysmenorrhea pain may be spasmodic (sharp pelvic cramps at the start of menstrual flow) or congestive (deep, dull ache). The symptoms of secondary dysmenorrhea often start sooner in the menstrual cycle than those of primary dysmenorrhea, and usually last longer.
 
Diagnosing Dysmenorrhea

If you experience painful periods, check work with your doctor to see whether you might have an underlying disorder that is causing secondary dysmenorrhea. You may be given a pelvic examination, and your blood and urine may be tested. A doctor may also wish to use ultrasound to get a picture of your internal organs or even use the technique of laparoscopy for a direct look into your uterus.
Treating and Preventing Dysmenorrhea

Your doctor may prescribe hormone supplements or other remedies depending on the cause of the dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is usually treated by medication such as an analgesic drug. Many women find relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)*. Oral contraceptives also may also help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Nausea and vomiting may be relieved with an anti-nausea (antiemetic) medication, but these symptoms usually disappear without treatment as cramps subside.

Treatment for secondary dysmenorrhea will vary with the underlying cause. Surgery can be done to remove fibroids or to widen the cervical canal if it is too narrow. If treatment isn't successful and the pain is extreme, you may consider surgery that severs the nerves to the uterus. This can help; however, complications may arise due to injury to nearby organs.

In addition to the above, other non-medicinal treatments for the pain of dysmenorrhea include:

* lying on your back, supporting your knees with a pillow
* holding a heating pad or hot-water bottle on your abdomen or lower back
* taking a warm bath
* gently massaging your abdomen
* doing mild exercises like stretching, walking or biking - exercise may improve blood flow and reduce pelvic pain
* getting plenty of rest and avoiding stressful situations as your period approaches

You may also wish to consider alternative therapies such as hypnosis, herbal medications, or acupuncture. Be cautious with herbal medications. They may be "natural", but they are not necessarily safe or free of side effects. They can also interact with other medications you may be taking. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before trying any herbal medications.


The joys of being female :cool:
 
Tampons or Pads?​

Women who use tampons may be at increased risk of a rare but serious illness called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). This syndrome is caused by a bacterial infection. If you experience symptoms of toxic shock during your period or in the few days immediately afterward, remove your tampon and visit a doctor or emergency room immediately. Symptoms include:

* sudden high fever--39 degrees Celsius(102 F) or higher
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* muscle aches
* dizziness, fainting, or near fainting when standing up
* a rash that looks like a sunburn

You can reduce your risk of toxic shock syndrome by doing the following:

* use the lowest absorbency tampon possible
* change your tampon every 6-8 hours
* alternate between pads and tampons
* wash your hands before changing your tampon
 
I experience a few symtoms of primary dysmennorhea, but only when I stop taking birth control (I've been off for a year and some change), but I've also suffered from amenorrhea (the lack of a menstrual cycle)...Last year I didn't have my cycle for 2 months....
 
I experience a few symtoms of primary dysmennorhea, but only when I stop taking birth control (I've been off for a year and some change), but I've also suffered from amenorrhea (the lack of a menstrual cycle)...Last year I didn't have my cycle for 2 months....


Sis many a time I wish I had that affliction.....
 
I never really have a bad time once my period starts but I have the worst PMS EVER!!! My cycle is also not regular so I mostly never even know its PMS I just think I crazy for true. Then when my period comes I am overwhelmingly relieved.
 
One has got to wonder maybe it is all the things females are adding to their diets that we never ate (i,e., processed foods) and stress that we add to our lives that lead us to have lack of periods and/or painful periods. In very stressful times, I notice changes to mine as well.

Ladies, what are some ways you de-stress or get yourself through painful periods?
 
One has got to wonder maybe it is all the things females are adding to their diets that we never ate (i,e., processed foods) and stress that we add to our lives that lead us to have lack of periods and/or painful periods. In very stressful times, I notice changes to mine as well.

Ladies, what are some ways you de-stress or get yourself through painful periods?

NOT being around certain people usually works cuz sometimes I have a murderous urge. :hmm: Never get like angry and mean like that unless its the PMS thing. :smh: NOT a good feeling at all.

I find that just standing in the shower letting the water do its thing or laying on the floor works for me also. When its not as severe I find that massaging my stomach works and a lower back massage works somewhat.
 
I experience a few symtoms of primary dysmennorhea, but only when I stop taking birth control (I've been off for a year and some change), but I've also suffered from amenorrhea (the lack of a menstrual cycle)...Last year I didn't have my cycle for 2 months....


yeah i've had EXTREME cases of that majority of my life...its hereditary and sucks ...and when it did come...omg....for long periods of time and heavy...to the point i would have NO energy and all i wanted to do was sleep

now my doc put me on BC and its coming more regularly and lighter...the only thing about BC is that i have to remember to take it :smh:

but ummm my friend has what LS posted...she had to take the first couple of days off from work every month OR be drugged up...horrible..i mean i would go in her room and she would be on her knees leaning on her bed in pain and crying :(
 
yeah i've had EXTREME cases of that majority of my life...its hereditary and sucks ...and when it did come...omg....for long periods of time and heavy...to the point i would have NO energy and all i wanted to do was sleep

now my doc put me on BC and its coming more regularly and lighter...the only thing about BC is that i have to remember to take it :smh:

but ummm my friend has what LS posted...she had to take the first couple of days off from work every month OR be drugged up...horrible..i mean i would go in her room and she would be on her knees leaning on her bed in pain and crying :(


yeah one of my girls has it so severe its crazy. I swear its like her body is not her own when she gets like that. I mean for me its only a couple days that I go through the hard parts but her it seems like she has it for the whole time. Yeah she gets drugged up. poor thing. :(
 
I am glad that I have been fortunate enough to not be cursed with bad cramps or pain during or leading up to that time BUT sometimes I just get the worst mood swings, even though I'm on the pill. Like I'll be all happy and cheery and then I'll like eat lunch and be in a funky mood. Weird :confused:
 
I am glad that I have been fortunate enough to not be cursed with bad cramps or pain during or leading up to that time BUT sometimes I just get the worst mood swings, even though I'm on the pill. Like I'll be all happy and cheery and then I'll like eat lunch and be in a funky mood. Weird :confused:

Not really weird sis its part and parcel of the female goings on. We all react differently or some of us similarly to our bodies monthly changes.
 
as a teen my period were somewhat bad...

but when i turned 18 and got the shot and was only on it for a month...it changed everything

i was higly irregular (i would "catch" a period from another woman easily...even as early as 2-3 weeks early)

bloats...cramps...moodswings...u name it...i had it times 10

ive been off birth control for 4 months and recently went back to the gyn to get my meds....i think its the best for me and everyone else around me durring that time...lol
 
Mine has changed recently too. I have a cycle that's about 2 days shorter now. I take it as a sign that I need to start popping out my babies
 
NOT being around certain people usually works cuz sometimes I have a murderous urge. :hmm: Never get like angry and mean like that unless its the PMS thing. :smh: NOT a good feeling at all.

I find that just standing in the shower letting the water do its thing or laying on the floor works for me also. When its not as severe I find that massaging my stomach works and a lower back massage works somewhat.

Me too...I like rubbing my stomach and massing the lower stomach right above my vagina helps when I am cramping somewhat...
 
Sis many a time I wish I had that affliction.....

it SOUNDS fun...but when she shows up....oh boy! My cramps felt like someone was tearing me from the inside out from my sternum to my thighs..and I normally have vaginal, hip, lower back pain (the WORST) and thigh pain during my cycles....so just imagine having like, 2 months of "saved lining" (couldn't think of anything else better to explain it lol) your body has to get rid of..it felt like my uterus was working overtime. and I got cramps around the time that my cycle was supposed to show for those months, but nothing happened. But one Sunday in Target...:smh:

One has got to wonder maybe it is all the things females are adding to their diets that we never ate (i,e., processed foods) and stress that we add to our lives that lead us to have lack of periods and/or painful periods. In very stressful times, I notice changes to mine as well.

Ladies, what are some ways you de-stress or get yourself through painful periods?

I've wondered that too....the times where I'm eating healthier, it wasn't so bad. But when I'm stressed, it comes early or not at all. But I use a heating pad, drink tea, massage my stomach and try to sleep it off..

yeah i've had EXTREME cases of that majority of my life...its hereditary and sucks ...and when it did come...omg....for long periods of time and heavy...to the point i would have NO energy and all i wanted to do was sleep

now my doc put me on BC and its coming more regularly and lighter...the only thing about BC is that i have to remember to take it :smh:

but ummm my friend has what LS posted...she had to take the first couple of days off from work every month OR be drugged up...horrible..i mean i would go in her room and she would be on her knees leaning on her bed in pain and crying :(

I started my period fairly early at 10, and it has NEVER been normal...it would be on for 9 days and then go away for another 3 weeks and here it comes again. around 11-12, I didn't have my cycle for an entire summer. and just last year, I was going through the 2 cycles a months, 1 at the end and another at the beginning...I was put on BC at 15 to help it, but I've had to switch a few times b/c it stopped working...
 
Back
Top