What Are Menstrual Cramps?
Menstrual cramps refer to the symptoms such as cramps and abdominal pain that occur during the monthly menstrual period. Many girls and women are familiar with these menstrual issues, which are medically termed “dysmenorrhea.”
The menstrual period is a part of a woman’s life, but severe menstrual issues do not have to be. They are often treatable. If the pain is very severe or worsens over time, a medical examination should be conducted to clarify the condition.
At a Glance
- Many girls and women experience symptoms like cramps and abdominal pain during their menstrual periods.
- There are two types of menstrual pain: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.
- Menstrual pain can be limited to the abdomen, but it can also spread to the back and legs, and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headaches.
- In 10 out of 100 women, the symptoms are so severe that they cannot manage their normal daily lives for one to three days each month.
- Severe menstrual complaints are well treatable.
Note: This information cannot replace a doctor’s examination and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Menstrual Cramps?
The mucous membrane in the uterus regenerates every monthly cycle. If fertilization does not occur, the lining of the uterus eventually sheds, leading to menstruation. During menstruation, the uterine muscles contract in an irregular rhythm, then relax again to detach the mucous membrane from the uterine wall. The tissue mixed with blood can then flow out through the cervix and vagina.
Sometimes these muscle contractions go unnoticed or cause only mild pulling, but they can also lead to painful cramps.
Menstrual complaints originate from the abdomen but can also spread to the back and legs. Some women experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in addition to cramps. Headaches or general fatigue often accompany menstrual complaints. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding usually have more severe pain.
What Are the Causes of Menstrual Cramps?
Experts distinguish between two types of menstrual cramps: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.
- Primary Dysmenorrhea: This pain is caused solely by the contractions of the uterine muscles. Prostaglandins, hormone-like messenger substances that affect pain perception, play an important role in this. Prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract and the mucous membrane to shed. Primary menstrual pain is more common in women under 30 and those with heavy menstrual bleeding. Factors like family predisposition or stress can lead to menstrual pain.
- Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This type is usually triggered by benign tumors in the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps. Severe pain can also be caused by endometriosis, where the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus in the abdomen and causes problems. In some cases, secondary menstrual pain can also be caused by an intrauterine device (IUD).
How Common Are Menstrual Cramps?
Menstrual cramps are very common. Most girls and women experience pain of varying severity during their periods. In 10 out of 100 women, the symptoms are so severe that they cannot manage their normal daily lives for one to three days each month.
Pain is generally more severe in women under 20 compared to older women. Symptoms often decrease or completely disappear a few years after the first period. The birth of a first child also alleviates complaints for many women.
Secondary menstrual pain usually occurs after a young woman has had her period for several years. It can also occur outside the menstrual period.
How Are Menstrual Cramps Treated?
Advice on dealing with period pain from doctors and other women can sometimes be contradictory.
Effective pain relievers include ibuprofen or naproxen, which belong to a group of active ingredients known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications can relieve menstrual pain because they inhibit prostaglandin production. Most women tolerate NSAIDs well; possible side effects include stomach upset.
Birth control pills can also relieve menstrual cramps because they prevent ovulation and therefore less prostaglandin is produced. Additionally, the uterine lining develops thinner. As a result, the menstrual period is lighter, which often reduces the associated discomfort. Side effects of birth control pills can include headaches or nausea, and the risk of thrombosis increases.
Heat patches and heat belts are also said to relieve discomfort. Additionally, a few small studies have shown that physical exercise such as running, yoga, and gymnastics can help alleviate symptoms.
The effectiveness of other treatments, such as acupuncture, dietary supplements, or herbal preparations, has not been proven. Studies on these treatments have been poorly conducted or have shown conflicting results.
Important Information: Some women may experience extremely distressing pain, in which case psychological pain treatment can be helpful. Such treatment includes psychological conversations and pain management techniques, such as relaxation and distraction exercises, among other activities.
How Do Women Cope with Severe Menstrual Pain in Daily Life?
It can be observed that friends, relatives, and colleagues, as well as doctors, do not always take menstrual pain seriously.
Some affected individuals may also think they have to endure this pain because it is “normal.” Severe pain that affects life and work for a few days each month does not have to be accepted as “natural.” Because those who downplay or trivialize their symptoms may find it difficult to rest, seek medical help, or research appropriate treatments.
Many women find a way to adapt to these painful days to suffer less. Spending this time calmly can also be beneficial. Strenuous tasks can be postponed. Relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, yoga, or tai chi are often found helpful for calming down and reducing stress. Some women find that doing a lot of exercise helps. Warm baths and saunas are also considered beneficial.
Women who frequently cannot go to work due to severe pain and cramps may sometimes have problems at work, feel guilty, and blame themselves. Understanding and support from partners, family, and friends are important in such situations and can provide relief to many women.
