Menstrual pain
Menstrual Pain
Menstrual pain (pronounced men-stru-al pain), also known as dysmenorrhea (pronounced dis-men-o-ree-a), is a medical condition characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. Its etymology is derived from the Greek words "dys" meaning difficult/painful/abnormal, "meno" meaning month, and "rhea" meaning flow.
Definition
Menstrual pain refers to the pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis that is associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. It is typically most intense on the first day of menstruation and may continue until the end of the menstrual period.
Causes
The primary cause of menstrual pain is the contraction of the uterus (pronounced yoo-tuh-rus), a muscular organ where a fetus develops in the female body. These contractions are triggered by chemicals called prostaglandins (pronounced pro-sta-glan-dins). Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
Symptoms
Symptoms of menstrual pain can include cramping or throbbing in the lower abdomen, pain that radiates to the lower back and thighs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, fainting, and headaches.
Treatment
Treatment for menstrual pain can involve a combination of self-care measures and medical treatments. Self-care measures can include using a heating pad on the abdomen, taking warm baths, regular physical exercise, and rest. Medical treatments can include over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (pronounced eye-byoo-pro-fen), and hormonal birth control methods, such as oral contraceptives.
Related Terms
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): A group of symptoms that occur in women, typically between ovulation and a period.
- Endometriosis: A disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity.
- Menorrhagia: Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Menstrual pain
- Wikipedia's article - Menstrual pain
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