Period pain is a common one in the women’s menstrual cycle. Sometimes it makes some women crippling. However, their problems are often considered some discomfort, a normal phenomenon and getting dismissed. In fact, should we ignore and suffer it or should we do something to come over it?
Contractions in the uterus are the cause of period pain. The contractions compress the blood vessels in the muscle wall and cut off blood supply to the womb, starving it of oxygen and adding to the discomfort.
Many women suffer period pain symptoms such as vomiting, migraines and even faint. But their GPs tell them that the pain is normal or there’s nothing that makes the pain less.
Recently a study of researchers at Oxford University has found that women with painful periods show increased sensitivity to pain (and lower levels of cortisol, the hormone released by the body in times of stress) throughout their cycles – not just when they are menstruating.
A few of researches have been done of period pain because women don’t complain and almost women think that period pain has been around for a few hours. Many specialists in women’s health think women don’t know how much they can ask for. If period pain is preventing you from continuing your normal activities for more than a few hours, seek medical advice. Fortunately, GPs seem much more aware of quality-of-life issues.
Women should not suffer pain without doing anything. If it interferes your life, get that under control. Yet Gabrielle Downey, a consultant gynaecologist, recommends mefenamic acid (an anti-inflammatory) for period pain. If you do not feel better, you should be investigated possible underlying conditions.
If you do not get endometriosis, take the pill for three months. If it continues not working, take something like Implanon – the contraceptive that is progesterone-only – so you don’t have periods, or a Mirena coil, which gets rid of the lining of the womb so there’s less bleeding and less pain.
If medical treatment is out of work, you need a laparoscopy to avoid missing something.
Another treatment suggested by Glenville, a nutritionist specialising in women’s health is to take the anti-inflammatory effect of omega-3 fish oils in order to lessen the cramping.
Anyway, the best advice is spending a little bit of time with someone who’s a specialist in that area helps when you have troubles.