For many women, menstrual cramps are part of life. Whether pain levels are low, reasonable, or excruciating, they do still affect daily routines. Some women have gynaecological conditions that exacerbate menstrual pain; others may have dysmenorrhoea. Women with dysmenorrhoea experience painful periods, often without an identifiable cause for the elevated pain levels. Regardless of pain levels, there are great ways to manage menstrual cramps and improve your quality of life during your period.
How Pain Affects Us
While some women will experience mild to medium pain during the first days of their period, others may have excruciating or chronic pain for prolonged periods. Either way, the pain can have a ripple effect on one’s overall health. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms to accompany pain, and when fatigued for extended periods of time, one’s quality of life decreases, and so does mental health. Other symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches, may accompany the pain, but managing the pain can often help ease these symptoms.
Potential Causes of Very Painful Periods
Though dysmenorrhoea may cause intense period pain, there are various other potential causes. While some of these conditions are more serious than others, women who experience extreme menstrual pain or chronic abdominal pain need to discuss it with their doctor. A good doctor will listen to your concerns, work towards a diagnosis, and begin a treatment plan.
For women with less severe conditions, treatment options may range from home remedies and lifestyle changes, to over-the-counter pain medication or hormone-based medication. In instances with a more severe gynaecological condition, it is critical to address it and find a treatment that will prevent it from progressing and resulting in long-term complications.
Some of the most common gynaecological conditions associated with excessive menstrual pain are:
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Fibroids
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Adenomyosis
How to Manage Menstrual Cramps
There are various tried and tested pain management methods which are helpful for many women. Those who prefer not to take pain medication or don’t find enough relief from pain medication can try these methods.
Drink Water
While water won’t directly ease cramps, it can help reduce bloating, which often exacerbates the pain.
Ensure Adequate Sleep
Insufficient sleep makes it more difficult for the body to respond appropriately to any inflammation linked to the pain.
Watch What You Eat
Reduce the intake of salty, sugary, and processed food and replace them with vegetables and healthy fats. Avoid foods which may result in bloating or constipation.
Get Moving
Exercise can be challenging when in pain, so choose the activity based on what is manageable. Yoga and Pilates tend to be slowand focus on breathing, which helps ease cramps and reduce stress.
Use Heating Pads
Heat helps to relax and soothe muscles, so try holding a heating pad to the lower abdomen or taking a hot bath to relievemenstrual cramps.
Managing menstrual cramps may take more than these home remedies for some women. If you are experiencing menstrual pain so intense that these methods are unhelpful, or if you feel your pain levels are excessive, don’t hesitate to see a gynaecologist to identify the cause and explore solutions.
If your menstrual cramps have a negative impact on your quality of life, we suggest arranging a deep endometriosis ultrasound.