Understanding Menstrual Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief Strategies

Menstrual cramps are not imaginary. Science has long since discovered what is estimated to be a problem for almost every third woman and even every second girl every month: prostaglandins are the culprits. In the following, we will inform you about other causes of menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) and give tips to counteract the pain.

Menstrual pain affects more than half of all women.

Fifty-four per cent of all women suffer from symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen, back pain or restricted performance during their period. It is not uncommon for menstrual periods to be accompanied by headaches or migraines, increased irritability, depressive feelings and weight gain. About ten per cent of those affected have such severe symptoms that they are severely restricted in their lifestyle for one to three days a month.

 

Dysmenorrhea – sometimes from the first menstrual period

Even very young girls are affected by menstrual pain – known in technical terms as dysmenorrhea. One speaks of “primary dysmenorrhea” when female teenagers complain about the typical symptoms during their menstruation, such as abdominal pain and cramps, back pain, nausea to the point of vomiting, irritability, tiredness and listlessness.

cause of menstrual pain

Science has long since discovered what is estimated to be a problem for almost every third woman and even every second young girl every month: prostaglandins are the culprits. These tissue hormones ensure that the musculature of the uterus contracts during the period to shed the lining of the uterus – this leads to abdominal pain and cramps. In severe cases, the affected person even has to stay in bed.

 

psychological factors

In addition to these physical causes, reason can contribute to the psyche. The fact of having become a woman from one day to the next often plunges schoolgirls between the ages of nine and 13 into an emotional roller coaster ride. Many people don’t even know what’s going on in their bodies.

Pubescent girls do read things about sexuality in youth magazines or on the internet. But what happens to you and your body? There is often a frightening ignorance about the cycle and period. Information and education about these natural processes in a young girl’s body often help.

Genetics: Like mother, like daughter?

Moreover, menstrual cramps seem to be passed on from mother to daughter. A few carelessly uttered phrases along the lines of “this period is going to kill me” can understandably frighten your daughter. They may pave the way for your daughter to experience her first period as a burden or even an illness.

Organic causes: not only young people are affected

However, menstrual pain can also occur later in life. In addition to stress, trouble at work or a lack of sexual desire, this form is often caused by organic causes – such as endometriosis (benign growth of the lining of the uterus), a narrowed cervix or a kinked cervix, benign ulcers or inflammation, for example after removal spiral. Your gynaecologist will clarify whether one of these diseases is present.

 

Menstrual pain: when to see a doctor?

You should consult your gynaecologist the first time menstrual pain occurs and whenever there is a change in menstrual symptoms.

What to do? Relieve menstrual cramps

A hot water bottle or a warm bath suits many affected people. Take it easy on the “days” and consciously treat yourself to some time-out. Try out which of the following home remedies will help you.

Four tips for menstrual pain

Practical tips to relieve period pain are:

1. Many women swear by anticonvulsant plant teas made from lady’s mantle, cinquefoil or yarrow. Good experiences have also been made with preparations that contain monk’s pepper or black cohosh and have a cycle-regulating effect.
2. Magnesium,  which you can take as an effervescent tablet several times a day, is relaxing.
3. Grundsätzlich empfehlen Gynäkologen, regelmäßig Sport zu treiben, was nicht nur zu einer besseren Durchblutung führt, sondern auch entkrampft und vermehrt Glückshormone freisetzt. Viele Frauen setzen gegen die Schmerzen deshalb gezielt Sport ein – außerdem lenkt Sport ab.
4. If you see a psychological cause for your symptoms, autogenic training or yoga can help you. Many yoga exercises increase blood flow to the abdomen – ask your community college about a course.

 

Tablets: painkillers and hormones

If the symptoms are severe, it is advisable to take painkillers before the body develops a permanent memory of pain. Active ingredients that prevent the formation of the pain messenger prostaglandin are particularly suitable. These include ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and naproxen. Although paracetamol blocks the sensation of pain in the brain, it does not have a causal effect on prostaglandin formation – it can still be an alternative for women with stomach problems.

The birth control pill is also used to combat period pain. The hormones suppress ovulation, and less mucous membrane builds up in the uterus. If you bleed during the one-week break from taking medication, then this is just an artificially induced withdrawal bleeding caused by the drop in hormones – and this usually does not lead to any symptoms. If a pain memory has already formed, we recommend preparations that only cause withdrawal bleeding after a few months. This way, the memory is gradually “erased” again.

• Herbal preparations have a regulating effect on the cycle.
• Well-tolerated medications and antispasmodic agents relieve the pain.
• Effective drugs help against depressive moods that can occur as an accompaniment.

Conclusion: What helps with menstrual pain?

Sometimes, just waiting helps. The symptoms often go away on their own with increasing age or after childbirth. If you have a daughter who complains of period pains, support your child’s body awareness with careful explanations, trusting conversations and affection.