What to do about painful periods. Painful periods: causes, treatment

Many representatives of the fair half of humanity experience painful periods (dysmenorrhea, algodismenorrhea). In most cases, severe pain during menstruation indicates the presence of some pathology of the female genital area. Next, we will consider why painful periods occur, what pathologies and disorders may indicate, and whether treatment for painful periods is required.

With the onset of puberty, a certain part of the uterine endometrium is rejected every month, which, together with the egg and a small amount of blood, is released out through the genital tract. This cyclical process is menstruation. During this period, women experience a significant hormonal shift, which causes the presence of some unpleasant symptoms before or immediately during menstruation.

If pregnancy does not occur, the uterus rejects tissue it does not need. This situation is accompanied by cervical dilation and spasms, so moderate pain during menstruation is an indicator of the norm.

Normal symptoms before or during mid-cycle menstruation (PMS pain) include:

• nagging pain before menstruation in the lower abdomen of low or medium intensity. Sometimes before menstruation only one side hurts, this indicates that it was in this ovary that ovulation occurred;
• discomfort in the lumbar region;
• increased appetite;
• tenderness of the mammary glands and pain before menstruation in the chest;
• minor mood changes;
• increased libido in the middle of the cycle and before the onset of menstruation.

The above symptoms are related and directly controlled by the production of the hormone progesterone. Sometimes painful periods occur after a delay. This is not a deviation from the norm if it is an isolated case.

Types of dysmenorrhea. Causes of pain

Very painful periods come in primary and secondary types. Primary is not associated with any serious diseases or pathologies. This type of dysmenorrhea occurs in girls with an unstable nervous system (as there is a slight hormonal imbalance), asthenic type of build (very thin), in girls in the first year of menstruation or with an anatomically incorrect position of the uterus.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is usually associated with inflammatory or other diseases of the female genital area and their consequences. So, severe menstrual pain can be provoked by:

1. Inflammation of the appendages (,), which contributes to the occurrence of adhesions. If there are adhesions, even after menstruation, the lower abdomen hurts and pulls in the lower back.
2. uterus and ovaries. Uterine endometrial cells rapidly divide and spread to nearby organs.
3. Various neoplasms (polyps).
4. Inflammatory processes of nearby organs (for example, bladder).
5. Hormonal disorders. For example, periods after Duphaston (a hormonal medicine) sometimes come with a slight delay and can cause aching pain in the lower abdomen.
6. Varicose veins of the small pelvis.
7. Hormonal disorders.
8. Surgical interventions (including abortions). For example, periods after hysteroscopy often come with a delay of one month. Menstruation does not proceed as usual - the intensity of the discharge may change and severe pain may occur.
9. Intrauterine device. If it is installed or removed incorrectly, it causes acute pain both during menstruation and in the middle of the cycle.

Remember! If you have always had scanty periods, but have recently become heavy, this may indicate some kind of pathology. Doctor's consultation required!

Painful symptoms during menstruation

On the first day of menstruation, you may experience some discomfort. So, a woman experiences the following symptoms:

• severe aching, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, which is localized on one side (the right side or left hurts) and radiates to the tailbone, leg or uterus. In especially severe cases, there may be a sharp spasm or “shooting” in the abdominal cavity associated with contraction of the uterus and rejection of the unfertilized egg;
• lower back pain;
• dizziness, migraine;
• severe nausea, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea;
• feeling of pressure and swelling of the mammary glands, sore nipples;
• a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which is manifested by chills, sweating, and changes in heart rate;
• upset stool, diarrhea or, conversely, constipation;
• fainting lasting a few seconds is a terrible symptom that requires an urgent call to the doctor.

The above symptoms can make a woman completely unable to work, so bed rest is required, at least until severe pain during menstruation subsides.

The nervous system also suffers during this period. Severe malaise makes a woman overly irritable, anxiety, insomnia, and weakness may appear. Chronic stress often increases the duration and frequency of symptoms. This is why women often experience not only pain after menstruation, but also in the middle of the cycle.

Doctors often recommend that patients with the above symptoms keep a diary and a cycle calendar, where they should write down the start and end dates of menstruation, whether they are painful, as well as other ailments observed during this period.

Remember! If you suffer from terrible pain during menstruation, then you should not tolerate this condition. It is necessary to contact a gynecologist and find out the true cause of the pain.

In some sources you can find information that if you have pain during menstruation, you need to move more or do physical exercise. However, in reality this should not be done during menstruation, since unnecessary movements during severe pain will only aggravate the situation.

Menstruation during pregnancy

If the expectant mother is healthy, then there should be no menstruation during pregnancy. The greatest danger is bleeding in the first trimester, up to 12 weeks. It is during this period of bearing a child that the risk of miscarriage is high.

If a woman has painful periods during early pregnancy, and she is not even aware of her interesting situation, this aggravates the situation. The expectant mother may drink alcohol or smoke based on uterine bleeding and pain in the lower abdomen, suggesting that menstruation has begun. This is why situations happen when a woman finds out about pregnancy three months after conception.

If a pregnant woman experiences pain in the lower abdomen or brown or reddish discharge, she should immediately visit a gynecologist to prevent sad consequences. In order to save the child, eliminate the cause of pain and the painful symptoms themselves, a woman is most often prescribed treatment in a hospital.

Thus, menstruation during pregnancy in most cases indicates a pathological process that requires urgent diagnosis.

Diagnostics

Very severe pain during menstruation, which lasts more than two to three days and does not go away after taking analgesics, requires medical intervention. To choose the right treatment, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and find out the cause of the pathological symptoms.

The examination should be carried out at the beginning of the cycle, preferably on days 5-7. As a last resort - in the middle of the cycle, before ovulation. During this period, the hormonal balance is restored, the pain most often goes away and the research results will be more accurate.

Diagnostic measures are carried out by a gynecologist in several stages.

To begin with, a medical history of the patient is compiled. The doctor finds out whether the patient is sexually active, what methods of contraception she uses, whether there have been pregnancies, abortions, surgical interventions, or whether there are chronic diseases.

Then he begins the examination in a gynecological chair. An experienced gynecologist can determine by palpation the presence of possible inflammation of the ovaries, appendages or uterus. The site of inflammation is usually painful and enlarged.

The above methods are often not enough to make a correct diagnosis, therefore, in order to avoid medical errors, additional laboratory and instrumental tests are carried out. A smear is taken to determine possible infections, and blood is taken from a finger (vein). In some cases, a blood test for hormones is performed.

Then the woman needs to undergo an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs to determine the presence of cysts and other formations. Sometimes the doctor prescribes a test that allows you to determine the presence of adhesions and check the pelvic organs in more detail than an ultrasound.

Painful menstruation can also occur with vascular pathologies. In this case, Doppler ultrasound of the vessels is performed.

Based on the diagnostic results, in the absence of gynecological pathologies, it is necessary to undergo examination by a neurologist and psychotherapist, since disruptions in the nervous system can directly affect changes in the cycle and aggravate the course of its unpleasant symptoms.

If a gynecological disease is detected, the doctor diagnoses “algodismenorrhea” and prescribes treatment.

What to do for pain during menstruation

Treatment of dysmenorrhea includes not only pain relief and symptomatic therapy, but also the mandatory elimination of the disease that caused it. Thus, for inflammatory processes of an infectious and non-infectious nature, antibacterial and antiviral therapy is prescribed, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating suppositories and tablets.

In case of neoplasms of the internal genital organs, which can cause pain in the lower abdomen after menstruation, a decision is made to remove them surgically.

Hormonal drug

Painful and heavy periods caused by hormonal disorders are treated with drugs that correct hormonal levels. The most commonly prescribed tablets are Yarina and Diana-35.

If dysmenorrhea is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system against the background of chronic stress, then treatment is prescribed by a neurologist or psychotherapist. Here, both ordinary sedative sedative tablets and more serious therapy can be used - tranquilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants. Vaginal suppositories are not used in this case.

To directly eliminate painful and heavy periods, painkillers are used, such as Nise, Nurofen, Analgin, Tempalgin, Ketorol, No-Shpa. It is not recommended to use suppositories during menstruation.

In parallel with the above measures, for severe pain during menstruation, taking vitamins E, A, C is indicated. The duration and regimen of administration is determined by the gynecologist in each specific case.

Traditional medicine cannot be ignored either. Herbs are widely used for heavy periods - chamomile, boron uterus. By taking this herbal decoction you can reduce the intensity of pain.

What not to do during menstruation:

• be sexually active;
• warm or cool the pain areas;
• perform intense physical exercise;
• visit baths, saunas, swimming pools, lie in the bath.

Prevention

After drug elimination of the cause of dysmenorrhea, simple preventive measures must be followed to prevent the return of painful symptoms.

1. Correct daily routine, alternating work and rest. It is necessary to avoid mental and physical overload, sleep at least 8-9 hours. Failure to follow these rules leads to chronic fatigue syndrome and stress. And stress, as we know, is the cause of 90% of diseases, including dysmenorrhea.
2. During painful periods, moderate physical activity helps tone muscles, improve metabolism and metabolic processes in the body, and can even normalize hormonal levels.
3. Take timely measures to eliminate stress.
4. Proper nutrition and drinking enough fluids also have a beneficial effect on the body.
5. Giving up bad habits (drinking alcohol, smoking) is simply necessary for heavy periods.

Dysmenorrhea is not a death sentence. With a competent approach to treatment, as well as compliance with preventive measures, this disease is completely eliminated.

The main cause of painful periods in women is a disruption of the hormonal system. As a rule, in such cases, pain is observed mainly in the lower abdomen and can radiate to the lower back. At the same time, she has a mostly dull, drawn-out character. Often, along with painful sensations during menstruation, headaches, nausea, weakness, and dizziness are noted. Some women may experience pain a few hours before the spotting appears, and some may experience it after.

Why are periods so painful?

Pain in the lower abdomen occurs when the uterine muscles contract. To be fair, it should be noted that minor contractions of the myometrium are almost always observed. However, during menstruation they are most pronounced, have greater intensity and frequency.

When the uterus contracts, some blood vessels are pinched, resulting in a decrease in blood flow to the uterus itself. As a result of a lack of oxygen, the tissues of the internal reproductive organs begin to release chemical compounds into the blood, which also lead to severe pain. It is this fact that explains why girls have painful periods.

The fact that some women experience menstruation more painfully than others is not fully understood. Regarding this, physiologists have suggested that this fact may be due to the accumulation in the body of a large number of prostaglandins, which can cause pain during menstruation.

Why else can you experience very painful periods?

Most often, pain during menstrual flow is observed within 12-24 hours. The greatest intensity of pain occurs at the peak of discharge.

If we talk directly about why menstruation is painful, it is necessary to name the following diseases in which menstruation is almost always accompanied by such a symptom. Among them:

Menstruation is a natural process that occurs every month in women. The onset of menstruation confirms that a woman has reached puberty. This process is completely natural, and every woman should accept and get used to it. But it's not that simple. It happens that a woman awaits these days with horror because she has painful periods.

In general, menstruation should not cause great inconvenience to a woman. However, pain during menstruation is a kind of signal that something is wrong with the female body. Every woman who has reached childbearing age should know the causes of painful periods.

Causes of painful periods

What causes algomenorrhea (painful periods)? The discharge of menstrual blood and endometrium occurs due to intense contractions of the uterus. When something interferes with this process, pain occurs during menstruation. A woman usually experiences the most severe pain on the first or second day of menstruation.

The most common reason why periods are painful is that the uterus is not positioned correctly. It compresses the nerve endings, which contributes to pain in the sacrum, lower back and lower abdomen. This condition can be either congenital or acquired as a result of various inflammatory processes in the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Also, the intensity of uterine contractions and a woman’s susceptibility to pain is influenced by the level of hormones in the body. Women over 30 often experience very painful periods, which are a consequence of increased levels of the female sex hormone, estrogen.

Special chemicals called prostaglandins are responsible for the rhythmic contractions of the uterus during menstruation. The higher their level, the more often and stronger uterine contractions occur. This is why painful periods often occur when prostaglandin levels are elevated. Often pain is also accompanied by diarrhea, nausea, headache and general poor health of the woman.

Why do painful periods still occur? This often happens due to dysfunction of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland. But in these cases, the woman suffers not only from pain during menstruation, but also from premenstrual syndrome.

If young women who have not yet given birth complain of very painful periods, this may indicate infertility.

Painful periods can also be caused by a woman using an intrauterine device as a preventive measure against unwanted pregnancy. Since the intrauterine device is a foreign body, the body often tries to “get rid” of it. In addition, the spiral promotes increased production of prostaglandins by the uterine mucosa.

Pain during menstruation is often a symptom of chronic inflammatory diseases of the female genital area: inflammation of the ovaries, endometriosis, colpitis, inflammation of the fallopian tubes, etc.

It happens that algodismenorrhea is caused by a genetic factor, when many women in the family suffered from this disease.

Symptoms of painful periods

Algodismenorrhea is the most common gynecological disease. According to statistics, every second woman experienced pain during menstruation. Moreover, often painful periods manifest themselves not only in pain in the abdomen, lower back, sacrum, but are also accompanied by other body disorders: nausea and vomiting, headaches, irritability, fainting, pain in the legs, etc.

If a woman regularly has painful periods, then often all these symptoms are a consequence of the fact that the woman spends the whole month tensely waiting for her next period and perceives it as a disaster that cannot be avoided. That is, the psychological factor also plays an important role.

What symptoms require consultation with a gynecologist?

• During menstruation, the pain increases sharply and is accompanied by very heavy bleeding.
• Less severe pain during menstruation than usual.
• Menstruation is accompanied by increased body temperature, chills, and sweating, which may indicate an inflammatory process.
• The discharge is unusual, has a pungent odor and an unusual color. During urination, a woman feels pain and burning. These symptoms may indicate an infection in the body.

When should you call an ambulance?

• Severe dizziness, loss of consciousness.
• Sharp, severe pain in the lower abdomen that prevents you from getting out of bed.
• The appearance of pieces of grayish or silvery tissue in the menstrual blood.
• If you have your period during pregnancy.

Diagnosis of painful periods

To diagnose algodismenorrhea, a woman must answer a number of questions to the gynecologist:

• What is the nature of the pain, how is it related to menstruation and when does it start?
• Does the woman have an active sex life and how often does she achieve orgasm?
• Does she have a regular menstrual cycle?
• Does a woman feel pain during intercourse?
• What methods does a woman use to protect herself from unwanted pregnancy?
• Does the woman currently have inflammatory gynecological diseases and have they had them in the past?
• Does the woman suffer from infertility?

Every woman should understand that painful periods are not only an unpleasant sensation, but also evidence that some kind of disturbance is occurring in the body. Therefore, in case of algodismenorrhea, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will help identify its cause and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Moderate painful periods, according to doctors’ statistics, occur in 70% of women of childbearing age. Many of them believe that the pain that accompanies menstruation is normal. However, gynecologists have a different opinion. In addition, for most girls, discomfort during menstruation occurs about a year after the start of hormonal changes, during puberty. Until this moment, menstruation is practically not accompanied by any unpleasant sensations.

In medical practice, painful menstruation has received the conventional name algomenorrhea (or dysmenorrhea), although officially this term refers not only to unpleasant sensations during menstruation, but also to a disruption in their regularity.

Symptoms of the disease

Algomenorrhea can be accompanied not only by pain in the lower abdomen, but also by dizziness, nausea, loose stools, general irritability (hypersensitivity), sweating, and high blood pressure. The symptoms are individual for each girl, but the painful sensations among them are pronounced, so most often they are mentioned. How long can painful periods last? Most often, a few hours, but in some women they persist for 2-3 days, which, of course, is a sufficient reason to contact a gynecologist. At the same time, on the remaining days of the menstrual cycle, the patient can feel very comfortable, with completely absent painful symptoms.

A woman gets tired faster and has difficulty in physical activity. This is normal, since the body spends most of its energy on releasing the egg. Sleep disturbance is rare, but is often observed in women aged 25-30 years who have not previously given birth.

Why does pain occur?

What are the causes of painful periods? Doctors rely on two independent factors: organic (physiological) and hormonal. The second one is more common, due to excessive secretion of prostaglandin. This hormone is responsible for stimulating the walls of the uterus and pelvic muscles, provoking spontaneous contractions in the lower abdomen. At the same time, the blood vessels narrow, and the direct functionality of the reproductive organs is disrupted, since the girl in fact remains not pregnant. And, by the way, it is prostaglandin that causes nausea, nervousness, headaches, and loose stools. If your problem is related specifically to an excess of this hormone, then the card indicates that you have primary algomenorrhea, which is caused for no apparent reason.

But if heavy periods are caused by organic dysfunction, then the problem can only be corrected by treating the underlying disease, which causes pain. Here, the symptoms can differ radically, and the treatment is individual. However, according to surveys, girls feel approximately the same pain: squeezing, sometimes turning into a call sign (as if during contractions).

Against the background of algomenorrhea, women may experience general hypersensitivity of the nervous system. The pain becomes acute, the mood changes dramatically. Unfortunately, until now, no effective and efficient drug has been developed that would help cope with such symptoms. Only complex painkillers, for example Tamipul, which is a combination of caffeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen, partially help. However, this does not solve the problem itself in the future. To regulate the secretion of prostaglandin, hormonal therapy may be prescribed, but if you have to deal with physiological problems, then only a doctor can prescribe treatment, based on the results of a general medical examination and ultrasound.

Doctors have also established another reason why painful menstruation occurs in general: it is genetically determined connective tissue dysplasia. In this case, the hip joint receives a large load, and disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract appear. Unfortunately, the problem is congenital and is accompanied by long-term treatment. However, this disease should not be ignored, as in the future it can lead to suppression of reproductive function, or even to infertility. According to statistics, connective tissue dysplasia occurs in 60% of girls who seek the help of a gynecologist in the treatment of algomenorrhea.

If painful periods are observed, the reasons may also lie in the use of hormonal contraceptives or the installation of an IUD. In the latter case, our body perceives a foreign body and tries to get rid of it, accompanied by muscle inflammation. But not every woman has such a reaction.

If a girl experiences very painful periods, she should consult a doctor immediately, since the cause of the disorder can be either an infection or a malignant tumor that puts pressure on the nerves. At best, this will be pelvic neuritis due to excessive expansion of cartilage or inflammation in the muscles.

Therapeutic measures

If a girl has been diagnosed with primary algomenorrhea, then the treatment, accordingly, is prescribed symptomatic, that is, aimed at getting rid of unpleasant sensations. First of all, the gynecologist conducts a thorough survey in order to identify the “culprit” of the pain. And this can be not only the uterus or muscles, but also compressed nerve roots. Next, a blood test is performed to check its hormonal composition.

If the exact reason why menstruation occurs with pain has not been established, then a whole range of measures aimed at improving the health of the woman’s body is prescribed. It is not surprising, since, according to statistics, algomenorrhea occurs more often in those who reject a healthy lifestyle, abuse alcohol, smoke tobacco, and are overweight. Against the backdrop of all this, a malfunction of the body’s reproductive system occurs.

The health complex includes the following activities:

• proper organization of work and rest;
• prescription of a specialized diet;
• gradual abandonment of bad habits;
• physiotherapy;
• acupuncture;
• course of vitamin therapy.

In rare cases, the doctor prescribes a sick leave for the girl.

Why do menstruation occur with pain in women who have given birth much less often? Because hormonal levels in their body normalize, prostaglandin secretion decreases, and the reproductive organs enter the recovery stage.

The most effective way to eliminate pain is to take painkillers and hormonal therapy.

The secretion of prostaglandin is regulated by drugs such as Naproxen, Brufen, Butadione. Moreover, taking these medications should begin a few days before the planned menstruation and continue for 7-10 days (depending on the nature of each individual girl’s menstruation).

Of the physiotherapeutic methods, electrophoresis with novocaine (in the solar plexus area) is effective. You need to undergo 8-10 procedures (every other day), so that the last one is carried out approximately 2-3 days before your scheduled period. This therapy is aimed specifically at temporary dysfunction of the nervous system in the pelvic area. Along with electrophoresis, it is recommended to regularly take multivitamin complexes that include vitamin E.

Diagnosis of algomenorrhea

To diagnose primary algomenorrhea, a blood test for hormone levels is preferably prescribed. At the same time, the girl undergoes a survey in order to identify the first sign at which a painful symptom developed.

Secondary algomenorrhea has a more extensive list of reasons why it occurs, so the gynecologist may prescribe:

• ultrasound examination (ultrasound);
• hysteroscopy (minimally invasive examination);
• laparoscopy (examination of the abdominal cavity, most often prescribed, as it is the most informative).

Traditional medicine claims that all symptoms of algomenorrhea can be easily eliminated with the help of a decoction of horsetail, horsetail, knotweed, cat's paw, yarrow, mantle, motherwort. You need to take the dried leaves of these plants (1 tablespoon each), pour 2 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 3-4 hours. Drink 300 ml per day (1.5 glasses), in equal doses of 100 g (3 times a day), 3-4 days before scheduled menstruation. Just be careful, as this decoction has a diuretic effect. By the way, it is recommended to consume the infusion 15-20 minutes before meals, since at this moment the stomach can easily and quickly cope with the absorption of microelements.

A hot infusion of oregano also helps. To prepare it you need to take 1 tbsp. l. dry and powdered leaves of the plant, pour 1 liter of boiling water and place all this contents in a thermos. You should drink it throughout the day, dividing it into 3-5 servings. You can easily add honey, sugar or even viburnum to this tea, but in small quantities. But you will have to give up lemon: the acid that is part of it destroys a whole complex of microelements.

Many women during menstruation are worried not so much by pain as by heavy bleeding and the annoying thought of “leakage.” However, you can slightly reduce the manifestation of the symptom with a decoction of shepherd's purse herb. Just pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. dry stem, boil for 5 minutes, let cool and drink it all in one go. The cake, of course, can be thrown away or used for re-brewing (it will be quite enough for this).

And one of the oldest and most effective methods used to eliminate severe symptoms is a decoction of elecampane - this herb is sold in every pharmacy. Only in our case we will need its roots. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. crushed composition, pour boiling water over it, leave for 45 minutes and drink in two doses (best in the morning and evening). The taste of the decoction is not the most pleasant, but the effect is very good. In addition, the root has a calming effect, which will be very useful for girls with hypersensitivity.

How dangerous is the pain syndrome?

Doctors say that pain during menstruation is not normal. And treatment for algomenorrhea, although conditional, still exists. Women should not assume that discomfort during menstruation is a common occurrence. Any pain indicates problems in the functioning of the body, so you should not postpone consulting a doctor “for later.” In addition, in some cases, algomenorrhea indicates the presence of a more serious disease, perhaps even on an infectious basis. If treatment is not promptly addressed, the consequence may be loss of reproductive function.

It is believed that pain during menstruation is caused by an excess of the hormone prostaglandin or a physiological disorder in the functioning of organs. In the first case, hormonal therapy helps, in the second, treatment of the primary disease. What violation did you encounter? The exact cause is determined by the doctor based on the results of a blood test, ultrasound, and laparoscopy. If it is not possible to find the reason why painful periods, then the woman is prescribed painkillers and general improvement of the body.

Painful periods are observed in most women and girls, according to statistics about 70%. In medicine, this phenomenon is called algomenorrhea.

Pain sensations may vary in intensity and nature from case to case. Mild pain or discomfort is considered normal, especially in women who have not yet given birth.

However, if the pain during the menstrual period is very severe or accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, then measures must be taken.

Identifying the main cause of pain is important, as this will help get rid of it in the future. Most often, the problem lies in hormones, or more precisely prostaglandin. During the monthly cycle, its amount increases, and this leads to strong contraction of the uterine muscles and spasm of the blood vessels. As a result, blood circulation in the genitals is impaired, which can cause other pathologies.

The onset of painful periods usually occurs in the second year of stable menstruation in adolescents, when the ovulatory cycle is already stable. On the other hand, pain in teenagers can be psychological in nature, since it is something new, and the girl becomes fixated on her period and, as a result, becomes more susceptible to pain.

In other cases, pain may be associated with other factors:

Symptoms and diagnosis

In addition to pain, other symptoms may be observed:

• nausea or vomiting;
• dizziness;
• loss of consciousness;
• pain in muscles and joints;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• Heart arythmy;
• increased sweating;
• weakness;
• increased fatigue;
• high body temperature (up to 38-39°C);
• nervous disorders (irritability, apathy, excitability);
• surges in blood pressure.

Women usually experience 2-3 different symptoms, and consistently the same ones, the main one being pain below the abdomen, starting a couple of days before the onset of bleeding. The pain can “radiate” to different parts of the body: groin, legs, pelvis, side. They can be either in the form of attacks or have an aching or pulling character.

For diagnosis, you should contact a gynecologist who will conduct several different tests for hormones and other substances. This will help determine hormonal levels during menstruation, before and after. A standard gynecological examination is also performed and a uterine smear is taken. Additionally, ultrasound and CT scans of internal organs are possible.

Treatment options

Treatment methods depend on the underlying cause of the pain, so there is no specific treatment. So, what helps with painful periods, read on.

Medicines

To eliminate pain, the following hormonal drugs are used:

They have the properties of suppressing prostaglandin synthesis and relieving uterine muscle spasms.

Folk remedies

The following recipes can help with pain during the menstrual cycle:

• . Take 1 tablespoon of herb per glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour. Then filter and take half a glass every 2 hours. After the pain subsides, I drink the infusion twice a day: morning and evening.
• Gentian cruciform. Take 3 cups of boiling water for 2 teaspoons of crushed gentian root and leave for 1 hour. The product is taken 100 ml before meals.
• . Take 2 tablespoons of celery root and pour boiling water over it. The infusion is kept for 2 hours. Take 2 tablespoons each time before meals.
• Wild strawberry. For 1 tablespoon of strawberry leaves you need to take 2 cups of cold but boiled water and leave for 5 hours. Take half a glass daily during menstruation.
• Calendula. Take (2%) and dilute it with water 1 to 4. Insert into the vagina using douching.

It is also useful to start drinking various calming herbs a week before your period, such as chamomile, St. John's wort, valerian root or motherwort. This will ease the condition and reduce the severity of pain.

Massage, exercises and physiotherapy

You can try to relieve pain with massage. To do this, you need to massage your lower abdomen in a circular motion. Yoga and Pilates will be useful. A good remedy is a special exercise for the uterus: we lie on our back and press our tailbone against the wall, and stretch our legs up.

We raise and lower each leg one by one, bending at the knee. Or you can simply apply a heating pad to your stomach and relax. This will improve blood circulation and relieve spasm, if this is the cause. In any case, it is recommended to first consult a doctor and undergo examinations.

In order not to cause further harm, you should remember important points that can worsen the condition. You cannot do the following:

• self-medicate “at random”;
• supercool;
• independently adjust the dose and method of taking medications;
• stop taking medications without your doctor's knowledge;
• engage in heavy physical labor during menstruation;
• have sex;
• drink alcohol or drugs.

Prevention

There are a number of preventive measures aimed at preventing pain during menstruation:

• nutrition must be balanced so that the body does not lack certain elements;
• you should limit your consumption of alcohol, coffee, tobacco and drugs;
• you need to avoid stress and emotional fatigue;
• physical activity is useful, but within reasonable limits;
• Maintaining a sleep schedule will help stabilize hormonal levels;
• it is necessary to monitor the hygiene of the genital organs and promptly treat any diseases of the genitourinary system;
• It is recommended to undergo regular preventive examinations with a gynecologist.

Painful periods cause a lot of problems, especially at work and in your personal life. They can cause conflicts or poor performance, so the problem needs to be addressed. It is better to first undergo examinations to find the cause, and then choose the right treatment.

Painful menstruation may indicate a serious illness that can disrupt the reproductive functions of the female body, so it is better to play it safe and go to the doctor.