What is it?

Period pains are abdominal pains experienced either just before and or during a woman's monthly period. Technically known as Primary dysmenorrhoea, period pains are extremely common. Indeed up to 80% of women are expected to experience period pains at some time during their in their lives. Period pain is not a sign of a serious underlying problem and can be treated with a variety of self-help approaches. Secondary dysmenorrhoea is used to describe pain around the time of a period that is caused by an underlying problem. This is far less common that Primary dysmenorrhoea and tends to affect older women.

Causes

The cause of period pain is not certain. However it may be related to a natural chemical that are released in the lining of the uterus once an egg has been released from one of the ovaries. This hormone like substance called prostaglandin causes the walls of the uterus to contract. Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins, which may cause increased contractions of the uterus and what has been described as muscle cramps.

Symptoms

Lower abdominal pain and cramping is the most common symptom. This pain has also been reported to spread to the thighs and lower back in some women. Sometimes the pain can be accompanied by headaches, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea or vomiting. In terms of duration pain can normally last 1-3 days during the initial period of bleeding. For some women period pain is so severe that they are unable to function normally and have to miss days at work or at school.

Products & Therapies

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) involves placing small pads onto the surface of the skin that pass a very small current to the area. TENS is thought to work by sending sensory signals up to the brain, which can reduce the number of pain signals that are also travelling up to the brain. TENS is safe and comfortable to use and can provide pain relief in some patients with period pain.

Thermal Therapy

Many women find a hot water bottle held to the abdomen or back is comforting. Alternatively heat packs that can be warmed can also be applied to achieve the same effect

Exercise Therapy

There have been some reports that physical exercise can also be helpful for relieving pain, and may help prevent period pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique that involves inserting and manipulating very fine needles into specific points on the body with the aim of relieving pain. Some small studies have found evidence to suggest that acupuncture may be helpful in relieving period pain. It is important to remember that some people may not be suitable candidates for acupuncture. For example, people who have lymphodema may have a higher risk of infection if acupuncture is performed on a swollen limb.

Drugs

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Initial treatment is focused on relief of pain. Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen and mefenamic acid can be helpful. NSAIDs work by blocking some of the chemicals in the body that play a role in the inflammatory process which causes pain and swelling. It is important to know that some NSAIDs take 1-2 weeks before the full effects can be felt, whilst other NSAIDs work within a few hours. It is important, therefore, to check with your pharmacist how long you should expect to wait to feel the pain relieving effects of the NSAIDs you are planning to take. One of the possible side effects of long term use of NSAIDs is gastrointestinal irritation.

There are also painkilling tablets available that contain the drug, hyoscine (eg Feminax), that may help prevent the muscle contractions.

Oral contraceptive pill




Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Hunter