Advice for Period Pain

20th May 2009

Advice Period Pain

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Advice Period Pain.  Period pain is the pain associated with a woman’s period or bleed and so we need to find out exactly what happens and so we know what is causing the pain. 
If we know what is causing the pain we will be better equip to manage the symptoms.

Click here if you want answers about managing your period pain(from only £3.99)

Menstrual Cycle or Period or Bleed

Each month the uterus prepares for pregnancy and an egg is released from the ovary.  If the egg is not fertilised by a sperm the lining of the uterus (called the Endometrium) is not needed.  Hormones start to change in the body and the current lining of the uterus breaks down.  The lining of the uterus passes out through the vagina as a bleed or period.   These periods are an essential part of a woman’s fertility; the pain is an unfortunate side effect for many.

This cycle starts in puberty and happens each month unless the woman becomes pregnant.  Periods end during the menopause.

Advice Period Pain.  Unlike most illnesses, period pain is going to recur frequently (monthly!!) throughout the majority of a woman life and so a good understanding of the process and how to manage the pain is crucial.

Painful Periods or menstrual cramps are called Dysmenorrhoea

Many woman experience some discomfort during their periods but as many as 1 in 10 say the pain they suffer affects their daily activities.   As many as 90% of teenage girls suffer from painful periods. Dysmenorrhoea can be divided into Primary Dysmenorrhoea and Secondary Dysmenorrhoea

Primary Dysmenorrhoea

This is the most common type of period pain and it usually affects women from the onset of their periods into their twenties.  It describes period pain in an otherwise healthy woman.

This type of period pain occurs in a normal uterus as it squeezes and contracts to expel the lining.  If the egg is released during ovulation and then isn’t fertilized, hormones are released to signal to the uterus to get rid of this months lining as it isn’t needed.  This hormone is called Prostaglandin and its release helps the uterus to contract.  Although the cause of pain is not exactly known, it is thought that these mini contractions of the uterus affect its blood supply and this causes pain.  Higher levels of the hormone Prostaglandin have been found in women who experience painful period whereas women who have little or no pain have been found to have lower levels of Prostaglandin.

Advice Period Pain. Interestingly when a girl first starts having periods she may not experience pain as the pain usually accompanies periods caused by the ovulation process as described above and the first few periods may be menstrual bleeding without ovulation.

Symptoms of period pain (Primary Dysmenorrhoea)

Symptoms vary not only from woman to woman but also from period to period because there are so many things that affect period pain and other symptoms.

• The most common symptom is an achy pain in the lower tummy.  This pain can spread into the lower back and the top of the legs
• Cramping pain
• Some women get headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Feeling tired and fatigued
• Nausea
• Constipation or diarrhoea 

These symptoms can be felt the day before the bleeding starts and go on for as long as 3-4 days.  Though for most women the first 24 hours is the worst.

Advice Period Pain.  Treatment for Primary Dysmenorrhoea

The right treatment for you will depend on the severity of your symptoms and what works for you!

Warmth is usually a good start for milder pains.  Either a soak in the bath or a hot water bottle (but be careful not to burn yourself they can get really hot!!).  Curling up in bed with a cuppa and a good book can help you to relax and get some rest.

Though you may not really feel like it some exercise can help your body to release its own pain relieving chemicals and give you a feeling of well being.  Swimming, cycling or any aerobic exercise can help.  Even walking can ease the symptoms for some.

Try eating little and often and avoid big meals or getting really hungry. Eating fruit and vegetables and pasta and avoiding too much sugar, alcohol and caffeine may help.  Caffeine may make you more irritable and tense.  Alcohol is a depressant and can make you feel more depressed though on the other hand it can have a relaxing and calming effect which some may find helpful.

Blood is lost during a period and this can contribute to some women can becoming anaemic.  The symptoms of anaemia are tiredness and weakness and in severe cases breathlessness and dizziness.  Eating a diet rich in iron will help those susceptible to anaemia.  Red meat, fish, pulses and red wine are all good sources of iron.

Cutting down on your salt intake is important at any time but just before your period reducing the amount of salt you have will help stop fluid retention.

Gently massaging your lower tummy or asking someone else to carefully massage your lower back may reduce the pain.

Try to relax! Stress can make any pain more difficult to cope with.  Meditation, yoga or maybe just getting into a good film can help you relax and feel you can cope with the pain.  Some people find that Lavender helps them to relax but be careful as Lavender can cause headaches in some people.

Drink plenty of water to stop you becoming bloated!  If you drink plenty of water your body doesn’t feel the need the hang onto it at all costs and just passes the majority through your system.

Sex either on your own or with a partner can help to ease the pain!  An orgasm will help your cramping muscles to relax and will release lots of feel good and relaxing chemicals into your body.

Advice Period Pain. If these more simple methods don’t help then go and talk to your doctor.  Your own doctor will be able to advise you on which painkillers will be the most appropriate and beneficial for you.   You should always get persistent pain checked out by your doctor and then you are sure that you have Primary Dysmenorrhoea and not another more serious condition such as Endometriosis.

Paracetamol may help milder pain, though Aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen are generally more effective as they are said to have anti-prostaglandin effects.  (Remember the higher your level of the Prostaglandin hormone, the higher the level of pain usually felt).  The anti-inflammatory effect of Ibuprofen may reduce the amount of bleeding.   The tablets tend to be more affective if taken throughout the day (as directed on the packet) rather than just when the pain gets bad. 

Advice Period Pain. You should always check with the Pharmacist that an ‘over the counter’ medication is right for you as there are people who should not take Ibuprofen.

Although there isn’t much proof, there is a lot written about the benefits of certain vitamins to help period pain.   Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and magnesium are said to help but if taken incorrectly can produce side effects.  Again always check with your doctor…don’t assume that all vitamins are safe ‘complementary’ type treatments, they are tablets and you should always be properly advised by your doctor who knows your medical history.

Calcium supplements/tablets have been found to reduce water retention and help period pain.  Calcium is also very important to maintain our bone density and so ask your doctor if you can take calcium.

Transcutaneous Electronic Nerves Stimulation or TENS uses electrical stimulation to encourage your body to release its own pain relieving chemicals and the sensation of the tingling under the pads placed over the pain helps distract the brain from feeling the pain.   TENS can be bought from most pharmacies now and are re usable so each month you can use the TENS.  (Though you will have to replace the sticky pads from time to time)  A TENS unit is very small and can be worn under your clothes whilst you are out and about. 

Ask the pharmacist or your doctor if a TENS is safe for you to use and then always follow the instructions.

If you are still troubled with severe period pain your doctor may prescribe the birth control or contraceptive pill because as well as preventing pregnancy it may relieve period pain.  The contraceptive pill reduces the level of Prostaglandin released by thinning the lining of the Uterus, thus making the period less painful and reducing the amount of bleeding. 

Your doctor can also prescribe stronger painkillers and anti inflammatory tablets than are available at the chemist but these should only be taken in extreme cases and for short periods of time.

Advice Period Pain.  Period pain tends to improve with age.  The nerve endings that detect the pain in the Uterus degenerate over time.  During the latter part of pregnancy the nerves disappear and following pregnancy only some of the nerves will regenerate.

Click here if you want answers about managing your period pain (from only £3.99)

Secondary Dysmenorrhoea

This type of period pain is due to an underlying disease of the Uterus or surrounding area.  It commonly affects women in their 30’s and 40’s.  Some diseases of the Uterus include Endometriosis, fibroids or an infection.  Cysts, Polyps and adhesions can also cause pain in this area.  The symptoms of Secondary Dysmenorrhoea usually appear years after periods have started.

Advice Period Pain. You could have Secondary Dysmenorrhoea if the pattern of your period changes, for example

• If your periods become MORE painful
• If your periods start lasting longer
• If the pain lasts throughout your period
• You have bleeding between your periods
• If the bleeding becomes heavier
• Your periods become irregular
• Your periods last longer than they used to
• You get pain during sex
• You have a vaginal discharge

You need to visit your doctor for advice if you have said YES to any of the above

Advice Period Pain. Treatment for Secondary Dysmenorrhoea

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The treatment will vary depending on the cause and should always be investigated fully by a doctor.  The success of the treatment will depend upon the severity of the underlying condition.

Some other causes of pain in that area are

• Some sexually transmitted diseases
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Ovarian Cysts
• An Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)

Click here if you want answers about managing your period pain (from only £3.99)

Gynecological advice premenstrual syndrome or Premenstral Syndrome or simply PMS

Many women seek gynecological advice for Premenstral syndrome which is the name given to a collection of symptoms associated with your period but may begin up to two weeks before the period actually starts.   Gynecological advice is often sought because premenstral syndrome is made up of a mixture of both physical and emotional symptoms.

The physical symptoms are similar to those suffered at the time of your period

Did you know there are £1,000's of UNCLAIMED benefits for people living with a health condition.
 
Are you entitled?
 
Click here and for just £3.99 you could find out exactly what you can claim  

Smoking and its affect on period pain

As many as 50% more smokers complain of period pain than do non-smokers.   Smoking appears to make the duration of the period slightly shorter and increases the incidence of Secondary amenorrhea (this is when your periods stop). 

Women who smoke tend to go through the menopause earlier and gain less benefit from hormone replacement therapy.

Smoking can decrease your chances of becoming pregnant.

Click here if you want answers about managing your period pain (from only £3.99)

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