OVERVIEW
This writeup is aimed at presenting general methods used in getting relief from menstrual cramps; the common side effects of medications, and natural methods available. Nonetheless, I will begin the writeup by giving some basic information about menstruation itself.
INTRODUCTION
Dysmenorrhea, also known as menstrual cramps, painful period or sometimes, premenstrual syndrome, is one of the disorders of menstruation. Before discussing about it, let us have a quick look at menstruation.
Photo credit: Pixabay
Menstruation
This is a periodic(monthly) flow of blood from the uterus experienced in women of child-bearing age.
The menstrual cycle, occurs to prepare the uterus for potential pregnancy. As a result, the innermost later of the uterus (endometrium) thickens.
Ovulation occurs at around the 14th day of the cycle to release an ovum(egg) which will be fertilized by the sperm (if intercourse occurs...)
In the absence of fertilization by sperm, the extra thickening of the uterus is no more needed, thus it is shed. This shedding of part of the uterus is known as menstruation.
TYPES
Dysmenorrhea is classified into two types; primary and secondary.
Primary dysmenorrhea occurs normally without any underlying conditions, while secondary dysmenorrhea when diagnosed, presents some underlying conditions including but not limited to cervical stenosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids and pelvic inflammatory diseases.
NB: You can read more about the diseases.
CAUSES
Due to the shedding of part of the uterus -as earlier mentioned- some hormone-like substances, known as prostaglandins, are released. Its release, and that of similar substances, causes the uterus to contract. The contraction will speed up the removal of the shed-off uterine layer from the uterus, through the cervix, and finally out of the vagina as menstrual blood.
The contractions, compresses some blood vessels supplying the uterus (endometrium) and related parts, thus temporarily depriving it of oxygen and nutrients.
This contraction, together with the temporary unavailability of oxygen to part of the uterus, causes the pain felt during menstruation (menstrual cramps).
MANAGEMENT
For secondary dysmenorrhea (earlier explained), the underlying conditions must be treated. This might involve surgery, lapararoscopy, and or other treatment procedures.
Primary (normal) dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, can be treated by use of medications, some contraceptives, herbs or other natural methods like lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, etc.)
Popularly-used Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) eg. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Feldene, Indocin, Naproxen, and Piroxicam, usually give immediate relief, but little do most people know of the side effects associated with those drugs.
The long-term usage of most NSAIDs, especially in high dosage, and without prescription from a qualified health professional, could have adverse health effects including but not limited to Peptic Ulcer, Stroke, Heart attack, indigestion (dyspepsia), diarrhoea, heartburn etc.
SAFER METHODS OF GETTING RELIEF FROM MENSTRUAL CRAMPS
To be on a safer side and avoid the following side effects and complications, I made some enquiry, and i was able to get several responses therein.
Though I will not be able to include the physiological and biochemical basis of how the methods work, in this writeup, -but perhaps in a future one- the respondents assured me that they get some relief by doing them.
These are some of the methods:
1. Before Menses.
-Regular exercise
-Reducing sugar intake several days before the next cycle
-Avoiding Smoking and alcohol consumption
2. During Menses
-The use of heating pad; locally done by pouring hot water into a bottle, wrapping it with a towel to moderate the heat, then rubbing it gently on the lower abdomen.
- drinking of boiled ginger and garlic juice
-Mild exercise or a brisk walk
-Drinking hot/warm water or tea
-Reducing sugar intake
- drinking warm water with a dash of lemon or lime
-keeping a normal body weight
-eating palm dates (dabino, in Hausa language)
- mixing 2 teaspoons of black seed(Cumin) in hot water, then drinking it
Of all these methods, drinking of hot/warm tea or water, and rubbing of hot water bottle on the lower abdomen is the most common among the responses I received.
NB: You do not have to combine all the methods listed above at once; just one or two might be enough for you.
CONCLUSION
Unless in the case of secondary dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps are completely normal, and will become less severe as one becomes older.
Please consult your physician before you take any pharmaceutical medication.
Help us spread the message by educating the people around you.
Please feel free to contact me if you notice any error, be it medical or grammatical. I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading.
-
Abdulsalam Yunusa
(abdulsalam750@yahoo.com)
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