Dysmenorrhea – or painful cramping associated with a menstrual flow – is something that many women have to deal with each month. These cramps can be something as simple as a dull ache but may be more severe where a woman is actually in so much pain she can’t function in her daily life.

Regardless of which you call it, cramps or dysmenorrhea, women want to know what causes them and how they can treat them so they can get on with their lives.

There are two forms of dysmenorrhea, primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by severe lower abdominal cramping that is so bad women miss millions of hours of school and work each year.

Doctors believe primary dysmenorrhea is caused by an imbalance in the hormone called prostaglandin which is responsible for making the uterus contract so the lining of the uterus is expelled during a normal menstrual cycle. The problem comes when too much prostaglandin is produced, which causes the severe cramping women feel.

Secondary dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, describes the painful cramping linked to physical problems not associated with menstruation. This could be caused by:

* Ovarian cysts, fibroids, and cervical or uterine polyps which are benign (non-cancerous) growths along the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or within the pelvic area.

* Infections within the pelvis which may be caused by sexually transmitted diseases or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

* Endometriosis which is a condition where the cells from lining of the uterus grow outside of the abdominal cavity. Adenomyosis is the same type of cells which grow into the uterine wall.

* Using an intrauterine device (IUD) for a contraceptive. This may occur during the first couple of months of use but should decline the longer you use the IUD. You may need to have your IUD removed if painful menstrual cramping continues or gets worse.

* Congenital problems including a tilted uterus or narrowing of the cervix which have been present at birth.

* Problems associated with pregnancy such as miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment for dysmenorrhea is determined by your gynecologist and will be made by considering the following factors: your overall health, age, and medical history, whether you have primary or secondary dysmenorrhea, what type of medication, therapy, or medications you can tolerate, the expected course the condition will follow, and your preferences.

You may be prescribed a prostaglandin inhibitor which reduces pain and are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) in nature. Some of these include aspirin or ibuprofen. If the pain is severe, they may prescribe a higher strength NSAID than what can be obtained over the counter. Oral contraceptives are another option your doctor may recommend because if they can inhibit ovulation, you won’t have the pain associated with it.

Doctors may also recommend progesterone hormone therapy, vitamin supplements, placing a heating pad across the abdomen, regular exercise, abdominal massage, or dietary modifications. Many women will take a pain reliever to try to ease the pain associated with their monthly cycle, but if the pain is very strong or occurs at times other than when you’re menstruating, it may be time to seek medical help.

There’s no reason you, or any woman you know, should have to experience the painful cramping known as secondary dysmenorrhea. Now that you know what it is, some of the causes, and some of the treatments, you can speak with your doctor in an informed manner and take control of ending this condition once and for all.

Most women around the world experience menstrual cramps from time to time. However, women experiencing frequent and severe cramps during the first days of their monthly cycle may be suffering from a condition called primary dysmenorrhea.

You’ve probably heard of menstrual cramping, but may not have heard of it called by its scientific name – dysmenorrhea. In the simplest terms, dysmenorrhea is a condition whereby a woman experiences severe and painful menstrual cramps and other pain associated with having a period. Dysmenorrhea falls into two categories: primary and secondary.

Primary dysmenorrhea often begins a couple of years after a young woman starts having a menstrual cycle and usually lasts her entire lifetime and has no obvious physical cause. The pain is severe and often happens frequently during a cycle. Doctors agree the severe pain is caused by abnormal contractions of the uterus and believe up to 90% of all women experience this condition at some point.

Why would the uterus have such abnormal contractions? Doctors believe they’re caused by a chemical imbalance. The chemicals in question – prostaglandin and arachidonic acid – actually control uterine contractions to expel the lining of the uterus during menstruation.

You may be faced with frequent severe cramping in the lower abdomen during your monthly cycle. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, lightheadedness, or headaches. Expect pains to begin as soon as menstruation begins, become worse as flow is the heaviest (first two days of the cycle), and then ease off.

If you experience these symptoms, make an appointment with your gynecologist. They will be able to diagnose primary dysmenorrhea but will want to rule out other medical conditions. You can expect a pelvic exam, possibly an ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laparoscopy, or a hysteroscopy to make a proper diagnosis.

Treatment will be based on your age, overall health, and medical history. They’ll also base it on the extent of your condition, how well you tolerate medication, and how they expect the condition to progress. They will also take your preferences into consideration since you’re the one who is experiencing the problem.

They may suggest taking a prostaglandin inhibitor to help reduce pain, an oral contraceptive so you don’t ovulate, progesterone (which is a hormonal treatment), or may make recommendations to change your diet.

Women who experience primary dysmenorrhea can be in so much pain that they have to miss school or work. They are also limited to the activities they can participate in.

Primary dysmenorrhea interrupts womens’ lives more often than many women will admit. If you’re in that group and taking over-the-counter pain relievers doesn’t help, you may want to see your gynecologist. They will be able to determine the best course of treatment to ease the pain and help you experience the freedom of life without the painful symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea.

* You can also use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises when dealing with PMS. If you’re more relaxed your body will produce less cortisol – a stress hormone which may cause you to retain excess weight.

* Try acupressure to relieve headaches, bloating, and menstrual cramps. By using pressure points along the neck, abdomen, and foot you can reduce the symptoms of PMS. You can learn more about acupressure by researching it on the internet or finding someone who performs acupressure.

* Limit or eliminate alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to affect the liver, which is the body’s first line of defense in fighting viruses and bacteria. A strong liver will also allow the production of estrogen to increase, which results in premenstrual syndrome. The liver is also partially responsible for the production of prostaglandins which regulate contractions of the uterus leading to cramping.

· Herbal teas. Certain over the counter teas, such as the Yogi brand of tea, contain herbs and vitamins that can help relieve PMS.
It seems everything you do from diet and exercise to how you relax can affect your hormones. When your hormones are out of balance you may notice more symptoms associated with PMS. By improving hormonal harmony during PMS you can reduce the symptoms and feel better.

All women will have a menstrual cycle from their teen years into their 40s and later. The vast majority of women also experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Simply put, their hormones are fluctuating all over the place.

Many women want to know how to improve hormone harmony naturally during PMS. Some men may want to know, too, so they can help the women in their lives to get over this distressing and often debilitating condition.

There are several things you can do to balance your hormones naturally to avoid, or lessen the symptoms of PMS:

* Start with a low-fat, high fiber diet. Beans and lentils are great choices to add during your monthly cycle. They are rich in B vitamins, high in fiber, and provide a number of minerals your body needs.
Some people also believe they increase the level of serotonin which calms the brain. If you’re eating lower fat foods, you’re also helping your body produce less estrogen which may ease some of PMS’s symptoms – including anxiety and irritability.

* Reduce sodium in your diet, particularly if you tend to retain water. The problem is many of the foods women crave leading up to their periods are chock full of sodium. Many experts recommend limiting your sodium intake to less than 2,000 mg per day. Too much sodium in the diet can lead to water retention, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness, which most women would like to avoid during this time of the month.

Onions, mushrooms, and grapefruit are all good examples of foods which can reduce water retention in the body naturally, for added comfort, less water weight gain, and less of a bloated and cramped sensation.

* Get plenty of exercise. Exercise does more than improve your general overall health. Spending 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week in an aerobic exercise increases the endorphins in your system, and this helps improve your mood.

* Take time to meditate. Meditation can help reduce tension headaches and reduce other physical complaints women generally have during PMS. If you meditate consistently you may notice a reduction in the discomfort generally felt during the time leading to menstruation.

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* Increase foods rich in thiamine including cooked lentils, long-grain brown rice, Brazil nuts, pecans, spinach, cantaloupe, milk, and eggs. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic believe thiamine helps relieve cramping during menstruation.

* Eliminate trans-fatty acids, not only during your period, but for the sake of your overall health. Trans-fatty acids, found in commercially prepared pastries containing partially hydrogenated oils, and in certain margarines, may increase cramping. They are most commonly found in fast food, and many be another reason for your strange and uncontrollable cravings during this time of the month. If you can reduce or eliminate transfats, you may feel some relief from cramps.

*Eat more fiber. It can help control cravings and reduce bloat by reducing constipation and keeping your bowels and digestion working well.

*Avoid sugary foods, which can produce wild energy and mood swings. Also avoid chocolate, which can be high in calories and fat unless you eat the 85% pure variety.

Many people don’t believe changing your eating habits can affect whether or not you get menstrual cramps, or affect the severity of them. But it is possible for menstrual cramps to be reduced by eating some foods and avoiding others.

If it is possible to treat menstrual cramps with nutrition, why don’t more women use this method? Part of the reason is that they are not aware of the role nutrition plays in their overall well-being. Now that you know about menstrual cramps and nutrition’s role in reducing cramps, what changes will you make?

Women experiencing menstrual cramps may be willing to try almost anything to avoid having cramps each month. Did you know you can treat menstrual cramps with nutrition? If you’re tired of having cramps every time you have your period, why not think about changing your diet to improve your symptoms?

* Eat a diet consisting of a variety of foods. Low fat, high fiber diets appear to combat the salty or sweet foods women typically crave during their menstrual cycle. Besides helping avoid cravings, you’ll also have more energy and a more stable mood.

* Ensure your body is getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need by taking a multivitamin each day. Minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium are particularly important before and during your monthly cycle.

* Eat more foods containing omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, swordfish, and lake trout. You may also want to add walnuts, Brazil nuts, and olive oil. These foods help stabilize your mood and have an anti-inflammatory effect. They also reduce the effect of cramps because they block the production of prostaglandins.

* Add or increase the amount of flax seed you eat. They are very high in omega-3 fatty acids. Two teaspoons of ground flax seed a day will do wonders for reducing cramps. You may sprinkle them in cereal, over salad, or include them in baking. Be careful not to eat too many flaxseed in one day, however; eating too many has been reported to cause diarrhea.

* Reduce the amount of salt you consume during your period rather than taking diuretics to avoid the bloating and swelling you may experience with your monthly cycle. Alcohol will also cause you to retain water, so avoiding it during your period will only help improve your symptoms. Remember also that alcohol is a depressant, another reason to avoid it when you are already moody at this time of the month.