Painful periods: causes, treatment, photos. Painful periods: reasons Why painful periods occur

The presence of menstruation in a woman indicates the normal state of her health, that all the necessary natural processes are occurring in the body.

Despite this, for the woman herself, menstruation is not the most favorable period, because during her critical days her health deteriorates significantly. Sometimes you have to cancel plans and temporarily make adjustments to your usual lifestyle, shower more often and use special hygiene products.

But the most unpleasant thing is painful periods. According to statistics, approximately 45% of women face this problem. Many people mistakenly assume that if menstruation is painful, then this is quite natural for this period. However, this is not the case.

How pain occurs during menstruation:

• aching or cramping pain in the lower abdomen;
• pain in the lumbar or sacral area;
• pain that spreads to different areas of the body (usually radiates to the rectum, perineum, thigh, etc.);
• abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea or severe migraine (sometimes this symptom of painful periods may turn out to be a common menstrual syndrome).

Why are periods painful?

In gynecology, this phenomenon is usually called algodismenorrhea. Algodysmenorrhea most often manifests itself in the premenstrual period, 1-3 days before the onset of menstruation. Sometimes characteristic pains appear already in the first days of menstruation. In rare cases, algodismenorrhea bothers a woman in the last days of her period or during all menstrual days.

To understand why painful periods do not allow a woman to live fully, it is necessary to consider the most basic reasons for their occurrence.

main reasons:

• incorrect position of the uterus, due to which there is a violation of the outflow of blood during menstruation;
• diseases of the female genital organs of an infectious nature (in which painful periods are possible; what to do in this situation? - only a specialist can decide this);
• inflammatory processes occurring in the internal genital organs;
• uterine hypoplasia (underdevelopment of the uterus, due to which menstruation may be painful);
• endometriosis (a disease in which the lining of the uterine cavity extends beyond its boundaries);
• adenomyosis (a disease in which the endometrium penetrates the uterine cavity);
• difficult labor (if the patient had to undergo a cesarean section, this explains why painful periods have often bothered her lately);
• abortion;
• surgical interventions on the uterus and other internal genital organs (one of the most common reasons explaining why periods are painful);
• The reason is psychological.

Treatment of painful periods

Most women believe that when painful periods occur, it is always clear what to do. It is enough to take a painkiller tablet, then there will be no trace of pain left. Doctors warn that all painkillers can only eliminate pain, but not cure its source.

If you have been experiencing pain during menstruation for several months, under no circumstances should you put off going to the gynecologist. There is a possibility that painful periods hide the causes of serious disorders or diseases.

If algodismenorrhea manifests itself, the doctor prescribes a series of gynecological examinations, then, depending on the cause of painful periods, draws up a treatment program.

Treatment methods for algodismenorrhea:

• general analgesic therapy;
• local anesthetic therapy;
• hormonal therapy (using hormonal oral contraceptives);
• treatment of painful periods using progesterone-based drugs;
• drug therapy (in which the patient takes vitamin complexes);
• laparoscopic treatment;
• physiotherapy using electrophoresis;
• psychological consultation;
• surgical methods of surgical intervention (when identifying anomalies of the internal genital organs).

If you notice painful sensations during menstruation, do not avoid the gynecological office. Only a doctor can help identify the cause of this concern.

Dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea ) is a term that defines a condition in which women experience painful menstruation. Various sources indicate that from 40 to 90% of women suffer from this condition.

How does dysmenorrhea manifest?

With dysmenorrhea, a woman experiences very painful menstruation, which is accompanied by other symptoms. During this period, women feel weakness, headaches, , she may experience vomiting and nausea, and fainting. Worrying is also the deterioration of appetite and emotional disorders. Due to such pronounced unpleasant manifestations, sometimes a woman has to completely change her rhythm of life.

In medicine it is determined primary dysmenorrhea And secondary dysmenorrhea . At primary dysmenorrhea The woman experiences painful menstruation, but no pathologies of the genital organs are observed. If a woman has secondary dysmenorrhea , then in this case, pain during menstruation is associated with gynecological diseases. Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed, as a rule, in adolescents, while the secondary form of the disease is observed more often in older women.

With primary dysmenorrhea, very painful periods are observed in girls approximately six months to a year after the first menstruation, at a time when the body gradually begins to ovulatory cycles . In addition to the fact that the girl experiences heavy and painful periods, with the onset of menstruation, and in more rare cases, other symptoms appear the day before it begins. This is an aching, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, which sometimes radiates to the rectum and bladder. In addition to the fact that menstruation is painful, the girl may feel sick, vomiting, headaches, irritability, bloating, etc.

Most often for teenagers, the question “why are there painful periods” is most relevant at the age of 17-18 years. When the menstrual and ovulatory cycle is fully established, the girl’s condition during menstruation may become less severe. During the diagnostic process, specialists identify two forms of primary dysmenorrhea. At compensated form pain during menstruation is stable for a long time. At uncompensated form illness, over time, the intensity of pain, as well as the severity of symptoms during menstruation, gradually increases if no treatment is taken.

Dysmenorrhea in older women manifests itself differently in each case. Sometimes the condition is so severe that a woman is forced to see a specialist to find out why severe pain during menstruation occurs in each cycle. Some women experience pain before menstruation. However, most often with dysmenorrhea, pain during menstruation, which has the nature of contractions, is bothersome. They can be cutting, stabbing, aching. Such pain in the abdomen, as well as in the pelvic area and lower back, occurs one or two days after the start of menstruation, then they gradually subside. Pain after menstruation occurs if a woman has gynecological diseases. In addition, with dysmenorrhea, body temperature sometimes rises, anxiety and irritability are noted. A woman may suffer from insomnia or, conversely, constantly feel drowsy.

If a woman suffers from painful periods and comes to see a specialist with a desire to find out in more detail what algomenorrhea is, and how to treat algomenorrhea in order to get rid of such painful symptoms, the specialist initially determines the degree, as well as the causes of algomenorrhea. Also, in the process of establishing a diagnosis, the gynecologist must understand which form of the disease - primary algomenorrhea or secondary algomenorrhea - is observed in the patient. Depending on how severe the symptoms of algomenorrhea are, experts distinguish three degrees of this disease.

For first degree The disease is characterized by the appearance of moderate pain and slight general malaise. A woman does not feel so bad that she refuses work or daily obligations. However, experts note that even this form of the disease requires treatment, otherwise the symptoms may worsen over time. If treatment for dysmenorrhea is not carried out, then gradually the ailment becomes more severe, and it is already diagnosed second degree dysmenorrhea.

In this condition, a woman suffers from severe pain. She has severe weakness, nausea, vomiting, and is very worried . This degree of dysmenorrhea is also accompanied by a depressive state. A woman is constantly worried and irritated by something; she may notice an increased appetite and suffer from sleep disorders. Some women also experience intolerance to various odors. In this condition, a woman understands very well what dysmenorrhea is, since she needs to take medications to moderate the symptoms of the disease.

At third degree algomenorrhea, the disease is very difficult. During menstruation, a woman suffers from very severe headaches and severe weakness. During menstruation, the temperature rises, vomiting is noted. In severe dysmenorrhea, fainting and dizziness are common. In this state, a woman is practically unable to work. Such severe dysmenorrhea is rare, and with this form of the disease, even taking painkillers does not bring relief. As a rule, this form of the disease develops against the background of congenital defects of the female genital organs.

Why does dysmenorrhea occur?

As a rule, the reason for painful periods lies in the fact that a disruption occurs in the female body in the process of synthesis of hormonal substances. As a result, a very large amount accumulates in the body. This condition explains why painful periods are observed with primary dysmenorrhea in teenage girls, as well as in girls under 25 years of age.

Some experts argue that the manifestations of primary dysmenorrhea are associated with disorders in the reproductive, hormonal, and other systems of the female body. Also, more than half of women who suffer from painful periods have disorders in the development of connective tissue (this condition is called dysplasia ).

The cause of primary algomenorrhea may be tuberculous lesions of the genital organs , as well as neurological disorders, diseases of the nervous system, malformations of the uterus, in which the outflow of menstrual blood becomes difficult and contractions of the uterus increase. Sometimes with primary dysmenorrhea, a woman even experiences painful periods during pregnancy.

If algomenorrhea develops in women after they reach the age of 30, then the cause of painful periods in this case may be gynecological diseases. Often, pain and other unpleasant symptoms during menstruation are observed in those women who suffer, adenomyosis , inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs . The manifestation of secondary algomenorrhea is often associated with narrowing of the cervical canal , polyps in the cervical canal , development adhesive processes ,ovarian cysts . Painful periods can also occur against the background bladder tumors , ovary , colon etc. That is why severe pain during menstruation is a symptom that should never be ignored. In case of secondary dysmenorrhea, it is necessary to undergo all examinations that will reveal the presence of gynecological diseases. If a woman uses intrauterine contraception during painful periods, these contraceptives should be removed.

How to get rid of dysmenorrhea?

If a patient has primary dysmenorrhea during the diagnostic process, then before determining how to treat dysmenorrhea, the doctor must find out what hormonal status the patient has. An examination of other systems and organs is also prescribed in order to more accurately determine the causes of dysmenorrhea. Depending on what symptoms of dysmenorrhea a woman exhibits, treatment is prescribed individually.

Dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young women is treated with drug and non-drug therapy. Non-drug methods are psychotherapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy, yoga, etc. Medications for those who have been diagnosed with dysmenorrhea are prescribed individually. Treatment with folk remedies is also practiced, but only after the approval of the attending physician.

With the help of psychotherapy and self-relaxation, a woman’s condition can be significantly improved. In particular, these treatment methods allow you to get rid of headaches, irritability, etc. The psychotherapist will also advise how to overcome anxiety while waiting for your period.

For dysmenorrhea, it is important not only to treat painful periods, but also to follow a special diet. In particular, doctors recommend that you definitely consume those foods that contain a high content of magnesium , . Buckwheat, nuts, almonds, chocolate, and legumes contain a lot of magnesium. Vitamin B1 is found in the same foods, as well as in liver, yeast, milk, bran, and egg yolk.

When determining what to do with painful periods, the doctor may also prescribe the patient to take special vitamin complexes. Sedatives and painkillers are also prescribed for painful periods. Sometimes it is advisable to use suppositories that have an antispasmodic effect. Also, in the process of prescribing drug treatment, the doctor may prescribe hormonal contraceptives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help reduce the production of prostaglandins, which helps reduce unpleasant symptoms. If significant blood loss occurs during menstruation, iron supplements may be prescribed. The dosage and regimen of all medications should be prescribed only by the attending physician.

During the period between menstruation, women need not to overwork, get enough sleep and rest, and avoid severe stressful situations. Smoking, as well as alcohol abuse, negatively affects the general condition of a woman suffering from dysmenorrhea.

Sometimes a specialist prescribes gynecological massage sessions and recommends performing a set of therapeutic exercises, which improves blood flow in the pelvic organs and increases the overall tone of the body. Exercises aimed at strengthening the abdominal muscles, swimming, and walking can effectively improve blood circulation.

If a woman is diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea, then treatment is carried out only after the doctor determines which gynecological disease caused painful menstruation. Next, the disease that provoked this symptom is directly treated.

The doctors

Medicines

Diet, nutrition for dysmenorrhea

List of sources

• Gynecology. National leadership / ed. IN AND. Kulakova, G.M. Savelyeva, I.B. Manukhina. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009;
• Manusharova, P.A. Gynecological endocrinology: a guide for doctors / P.A. Manusharova, E.I. Cherkezova. - M.: Med. information agency, 2008;
• Smetnik V.P., Tumilovich L.G. Non-operative gynecology. - M.: MIA, 2001;
• Clinical recommendations. Obstetrics and gynecology / Ed. G.M.Savelyeva, V.N.Serova, G.T.Sukhikh. 2009;
• Moses V.G., Ozhogina E.V. Primary dysmenorrhea, a manual for doctors, 2012.

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.

The appearance of pain during menstruation is a very pressing problem for many girls and women. According to statistical data from various sources, dysmenorrhea is observed in 30–90% of representatives of the fair half of humanity. In about 10% of cases, very painful periods lead to loss of productivity and disruption of daily activities. The maximum peak incidence occurs between the ages of 18 and 24 years. However, they can occur in any girl and woman from the first menstruation until the onset of menopause.

In accordance with medical terminology, a pathological condition characterized by disruption of the menstrual cycle in the form of pain during menstruation of varying intensity is usually called dysmenorrhea. However, the term “algodismenorrhea” is considered obsolete and is practically not used.

Cause

Why do painful periods occur? Despite the modern level of medicine, most specialists are unlikely to be able to give a definite answer to this question. The exact cause of painful periods with primary dysmenorrhea is still unknown. Some scientists associate its occurrence exclusively with functional disorders in the female body.

Suggestions have been made about the influence of excess production of prostaglandins on the development of primary dysmenorrhea, which provoke uterine contractions, vasospasm and impaired microcirculation in the myometrium (ischemia). As evidence of this theory, they cite the results of menstrual blood tests, which reveal an increase in the level of prostaglandins by 2–4 times compared to the norm.

The development of secondary dysmenorrhea is based on various diseases or structural changes in the woman’s reproductive system. The most common causes of painful periods with this form of pathology:

1. Endometriosis.
2. Uterine fibroids.
3. Congenital anomalies of the development of the genital organs.
4. Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system.
5. Serious problems with the blood vessels of the pelvis (for example, varicose veins).

If you don't know exactly what to do about painful periods, make an appointment with a medical specialist.

Severity

Depending on the severity of the pain syndrome, there are several degrees of severity of dysmenorrhea. What are the criteria for assessing this menstrual cycle disorder:

• First degree. Painful sensations during menstruation are mild. In rare cases, they affect professional and daily activities. There are no systemic manifestations. To relieve pain, painkillers (analgesics) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are sometimes taken.
• Second degree. Painful periods interfere with daily life. Engagement in professional activities (training, work, etc.) is possible only after taking painkillers. Single systemic symptoms are observed.
• Third degree. There is a sharp decrease in professional and daily activity. Systemic manifestations (headache, depression, sleep disturbance, problems with appetite, fainting, nausea, etc.) occur quite often. Taking painkillers does not bring the desired effect.

Early first periods in a child aged 10–12 years are often accompanied by painful sensations.

Features of primary dysmenorrhea

In most cases, primary dysmenorrhea begins to appear in adolescents 1–2 years after the onset of menstruation. Young girls of asthenic physique are more often affected. Clinical picture of primary dysmenorrhea:

• Painful periods occur 12 to 24 hours before or with the onset of your period. As a rule, it lasts several days.


• The pain is cramping in nature and is localized in the lower abdomen. Sometimes they complain of aching, tugging or bursting pain that spreads to the perineum and lower back.
• At the same time, there is a deterioration in the general condition. Weakness, irritability, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, fainting, etc. appear.
• Systemic clinical symptoms, including pain, can disturb a woman from 2–3 hours to several days.

Gynecological and ultrasound examinations of girls and women suffering from primary dysmenorrhea do not reveal pathological changes in the organs of the reproductive system. The diagnosis is made based on clinical examination and patient complaints.

Features of secondary dysmenorrhea

As clinical practice shows, secondary dysmenorrhea is a manifestation of many gynecological diseases (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, abnormal development of reproductive organs, etc.). The main group of patients are women over 30 years of age with a history of childbirth, miscarriages, artificial termination of pregnancy, infectious or inflammatory gynecological diseases. It should be noted that painful menstruation with secondary dysmenorrhea most often develops due to endometriosis.

Basically, there is constant aching pain throughout the entire cycle. A few days before menstruation may intensify significantly. Uterine fibroids are characterized by cramping painful sensations. If a woman has secondary dysmenorrhea, then an ultrasound examination will determine some intrauterine pathology. This is the main distinguishing feature from the primary form. If necessary, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy can be used as a method for diagnosis and simultaneous treatment.

The cause of painful periods, which are very pronounced, is often an organic pathology.

Treatment

What to do with painful periods in a teenager, girl and woman? Regardless of age, painkillers (Ibuprofen, Tamipul, Spazmalgon, No-shpa, etc.) are used as emergency aid for severe pain during menstruation. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that applying a heating pad or performing other warm procedures in the lower abdomen in such cases is contraindicated, since in the presence of an infectious or inflammatory disease in this area, severe complications cannot be avoided. Timely seeking help from a specialist doctor is the only sure way to get rid of pain during menstruation.

Methods for getting rid of primary and secondary dysmenorrhea are somewhat different. In the vast majority of cases with primary dysmenorrhea, an integrated approach to treatment is used, which includes:

1. Drug therapy (painkillers, antispasmodics, tranquilizers, vitamins, etc.).
2. Non-drug treatment (psychotherapy, physiotherapy).
3. Folk remedies (at the discretion of the attending physician).

Secondary dysmenorrhea can be successfully cured only if the underlying disease (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, etc.) is finally eliminated. During exacerbations, symptomatic therapy may be prescribed, consisting of taking painkillers.

Only a qualified specialist, after a thorough examination, can determine what may be hurting in the lower abdomen.

Drug therapy

The main goal of treating primary dysmenorrhea is to eliminate pain, eliminate autonomic disorders and normalize mental state. The determining factor when prescribing drug therapy is the severity of the disease. For mild forms, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are taken, which are considered basic therapy. If more severe forms of the disease are observed, not only NSAIDs are used, but also drugs based on gestagens, nootropics and drugs that help improve cerebral circulation.

Considering the risk/benefit ratio, ibuprofen is considered the best option for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea among all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have undergone clinical trials. It has been proven that its use suppresses the production of prostaglandins in the uterine mucosa to normal levels. In addition, it has no effect on changes in the endometrium during the menstrual cycle. Ibuprofen also has a peripheral and central analgesic effect. However, the dosage and duration of taking NSAIDs should be discussed with your doctor.

Magnesium preparations can be added to the course of treatment in case of a lack of this microelement in the body. For very painful periods that constantly bother a woman, it is recommended to prescribe combined oral contraceptives. They help reduce estrogen levels, which leads to a decrease in the production of prostaglandins and the elimination of pain. They also reduce the threshold of myometrial excitability. Preparations containing gestagens have a similar effect.

To increase effectiveness, they can combine the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and combined oral contraceptives. Taking vitamin E also has a positive effect. Not so long ago, antispasmodic drugs were actively used to treat pain. Now their use is not so popular.

Summarizing all of the above, we can state that drug therapy for primary dysmenorrhea consists of:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Tamipul, Naproxen, etc.).
• Antispasmodic drugs (No-shpa, Spazmalgon).
• Combined oral contraceptives or drugs containing gestagens.
• Sedatives - tranquilizers (Relanium).
• Homeopathic medicines (Remens, Menalgin).
• Vitamin E.

To avoid the development of unwanted side effects and complications, the attending physician must determine what needs to be taken for painful periods.

Non-drug therapy

Psychotherapy has an excellent effect in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Special relaxation and distraction techniques help to successfully cope with painful periods. Especially recommended for teenagers and young girls. Various physiotherapeutic procedures are also actively used as non-drug therapy. The most popular types of physiotherapy are:

• Reflexology.
• Amplipulse therapy.
• Magnetotherapy.
• Diadynamic currents.
• Electrosleep.
• Ultrahigh frequency therapy.
• Ultraviolet irradiation in erythemal doses.
• Balneotherapy.

Physical methods of influencing the female body help normalize the regulation of the menstrual cycle, reduce the inflammatory process in the reproductive system, improve peripheral blood circulation (microcirculation) and stimulate reproductive function. However, there are situations when most physiotherapeutic procedures cannot be used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Among the main contraindications are:

1. Acute inflammatory pathology of the uterus and appendages.
2. Endometriosis.
3. Malignant tumors.
4. Serious diseases of the central nervous system.
5. Anemic syndrome.

If you do not find out the reason why your periods are very painful on the first, second or any other day, the symptoms will recur.

ethnoscience

Often, many girls and women with painful periods that are permanent in nature resort to treatment with folk remedies. However, we should not forget that independent use of folk remedies in the treatment of primary or secondary dysmenorrhea without the knowledge of the attending physician often ends in serious complications. For informational purposes only, we list several traditional medicine recipes that can help with pain during menstruation:

• Celery infusion. Half a teaspoon of celery seeds is poured into a glass of boiled water. Leave for 9 hours. Drink a tablespoon of celery seed infusion four times a day, half an hour before meals.
• Strawberry leaves. Half a tablespoon of the medicinal plant is poured into 200 ml of boiled water. It is necessary to let it brew for 8 hours. After the expiration date, the infusion of strawberry leaves is filtered. Take 100 ml twice a day. If you prepare a decoction, then simmer it over low heat for half an hour.
• Calendula. To prepare the infusion, we take the medicinal plant at the rate of 3 tablespoons per 500 ml of boiling water. Leave the container with the solution for 120 minutes in a dark place. Calendula infusion is used for washing the vagina (douching) three times a day. The course of treatment can last up to 5 days.
• Melissa. Place 2 tablespoons of chopped lemon balm leaves in a glass of boiled water. The infusion process should last at least two hours. You should drink lemon balm infusion 100 ml three times a day.

1. Adjust your daily work/rest/sleep schedule.
2. Switch to a balanced diet. During menstruation, easily digestible and vitamin-rich foods should prevail.
3. Control your weight. Sudden weight loss or weight gain negatively affects menstrual function.
4. It is advisable to regularly take vitamin and mineral complexes.
5. Do not get carried away with strong coffee and tea.
6. Learn to effectively cope with stressful situations and emotional tension.
7. Walk outdoors more often.
8. Maintain optimal movement patterns. Physical activity is selected taking into account the age and general condition of the girl.
9. Bad habits (smoking, alcoholic drinks) negatively affect the female body. By switching to a healthy lifestyle, you will create serious prerequisites for improving the functioning of all organs and systems, including the reproductive one.

If the form of dysmenorrhea (primary or secondary) has not been determined, prolonged use of painkillers and tranquilizers is strictly not recommended.

Painful menstruation or dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea) is the most common phenomenon that almost every woman faces. Scientifically speaking, dysmenorrhea is pain of varying intensity that a woman experiences during menstruation.

The manifestation of dysmenorrhea is different for each woman, but most often women experience pain that is aching, cramping and even stabbing in nature in the pelvic area on the first day of menstruation or 10-12 hours before the onset of bleeding. As a rule, a woman experiences pain during the first two days of the cycle, which then gradually subside. Pain may spread to the bladder, rectum and lumbar region. Dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea) is also characterized by symptoms such as weakness, nausea, fever, increased anxiety, irritability, drowsiness or insomnia.

Experts have identified three degrees of dysmenorrhea depending on the severity of symptoms:

• Moderate pain, accompanied by minor discomfort. Since this degree of dysmenorrhea is very mild, it does not cause any disruption or failure in the regime. However, without timely medical treatment, this form of dysmenorrhea can gradually become more severe, accompanied by longer-lasting pain and malaise.
• Severe pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by general weakness of the body, headache, nausea, chills, and frequent urination. This degree of dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea) is characterized by states of irritability, anxiety, and depression. In addition, many women with this form of dysmenorrhea suffer from insomnia during this period, have an increased appetite, and also cannot tolerate many odors. In this case, there is a noticeable decrease in performance. Most often, this form of the disease requires taking medications individually selected by a specialist.
• Excessive pain in the abdomen and lower back, accompanied by severe weakness of the body and severe headaches. This form of dysmenorrhea is very rare. In this case, in women, menstruation occurs with an increase in body temperature, pain in the heart, vomiting, often diarrhea, and tachycardia. Fainting with this form of the disease is not so rare. This form of the disease reduces performance to a critical level. Taking painkillers in this case does not provide any relief; it only further traumatizes the woman’s weakened body. As a rule, dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea) in severe form is closely associated with congenital anomalies of the genital organs, the diagnosis of which is carried out by ultrasound.

The causes of dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea) in women after 30-35 years of age may be some gynecological diseases, such as: adenomyosis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammation. Therefore, painful conditions during menstrual bleeding should not be ignored. These kinds of symptoms should be the reason for contacting a gynecologist.

Painful periods in women after 30-35 years of age are considered secondary dysmenorrhea, requiring a thorough examination, which is prescribed by a gynecologist with the obligatory ultrasound and examination of the pelvic organs by a surgeon. If in this case a woman uses intrauterine contraception, then they should be removed. It is recommended to reduce pain by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Painful menstruation or dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea), even its mild form, signal disorders in the body, which can be eliminated with timely diagnosis.

Causes of primary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea).
The manifestation of primary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea), as a rule, occurs during adolescence and young adulthood, during the onset of the first menstruation or a couple of years after it. Most often, pain during menstruation for the first few years is quite tolerable, short-lived and does not in any way affect performance or physical activity. Concomitant symptoms in the form of nausea, vomiting, weakness, etc., as a rule, are absent in adolescence. However, this does not mean that all these symptoms will not appear in the future, accompanied by more severe and prolonged pain in the pelvic area. Taking this into account, there are two forms of primary dysmenorrhea - compensated, characterized by the stability of painful conditions during menstrual bleeding over time, and uncompensated, in which the strength and duration of pain increases over time (without medical intervention).

Depending on the body's reaction to the onset of menstruation, there are two types of primary dysmenorrhea. The first, adrenergic type of dysmenorrhea, in which there is an increase in the concentration of hormones in the body (adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine), leading to hormonal imbalance. In this case, women experience severe headaches, body temperature rises, red spots may appear on the face and neck, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted, and the heartbeat increases. And also often there are problems with sleep. A woman with such conditions often has a pale skin color and bluish feet and hands due to the slow passage of blood through small vessels in these areas. The second, parasympathetic type of dysmenorrhea, is a consequence of an increase in the level of serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid. This type of dysmenorrhea is accompanied by vomiting, slow pulse, decreased body temperature, and diarrhea. Frequent symptoms also include allergic reactions, facial swelling, and weight gain before menstruation.

Many experts, based on modern research, argue that primary dysmenorrhea in young women is nothing more than the result of a disorder in the hormonal, reproductive and other body systems. In addition, 60% of young women who complain of painful menstruation have abnormalities in the development of connective tissue (dysplasia). The manifestation of dysplasia can also be expressed by changes in the vessels of the extremities, curvatures of the bone skeleton (scoliosis, flat feet), myopia, etc. The main cause of dysplasia is considered to be an insufficient amount of magnesium in the blood, which is determined using a biochemical blood test.

Tuberculous lesions of the genital organs can also cause primary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea), which most often manifests itself with the onset of the first menstruation. Pain during menstrual bleeding does not have a clear localization and is accompanied by malaise. An exacerbation of pain usually occurs in spring and autumn.

Diseases of the nervous system, as well as disorders of a neurological nature, are often the cause of primary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea), since constant stress and emotional instability lead to a decrease in the threshold of pain sensitivity and increased pain perception.

Underdevelopment, bends of the body and malformations of the uterus (two-cavity, bicornuate uterus) are also the cause of primary dysmenorrhea, since they impede the outflow of menstrual blood from the uterine cavity and increase uterine contractions.

Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea).
If primary dysmenorrhea is suspected, the patient should visit a gynecologist. In addition, an ultrasound of the pelvic organs is prescribed and the hormonal status is determined. To more accurately determine the cause of primary dysmenorrhea, a complete examination of the circulatory, digestive, urinary and mammary glands systems is prescribed. Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea is prescribed individually for each woman, depending on the cause that caused it.

If menstruation is painful, women are advised to follow some rules to alleviate the painful condition in the future:

• stop drinking alcohol and cigarettes;
• abstain from sexual intercourse in the second phase of the menstrual cycle and during menstruation;
• try not to get too cold;
• limit physical activity during menstruation, as well as in the second phase of the menstrual cycle;
• for severe pain, place a heating pad on your stomach;
• try to cope with stress.

Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea can be carried out using both medicinal and non-medicinal methods. In the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, physiotherapeutic methods such as electrophoresis with novocaine on the solar plexus area and acupuncture are effective.

All drugs prescribed for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea can be divided into three groups: gestagens, hormonal contraceptives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Progestins are a group of hormones naturally produced in the body, or their synthetic analogues. As a rule, for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, drugs with progesterone close to natural are prescribed. These kinds of drugs normalize the menstrual cycle and also reduce the level of prostaglandin in the female body. New generation gestagens, when used correctly, are an excellent treatment for dysmenorrhea, which has no side effects.

Hormonal contraceptives are used to treat primary dysmenorrhea in sexually active women. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs), which contain a synthetic estrogen analogue, are believed to be an effective treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. The action of COCs is aimed at suppressing ovulation, during which the level of prostaglandins in menstrual blood decreases, which leads to the elimination of the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea or their insignificant manifestation. The use of hormonal contraceptives also reduces intrauterine pressure and the frequency of uterine muscle contractions, which helps eliminate or alleviate painful conditions during menstruation. In addition, the use of combined oral contraceptives reduces the risk of genital cancer in young women, improves skin condition, and is an excellent means of preventing ectopic pregnancy.

In addition, there are injectable drugs that are often used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea). The injection is given directly within the time limits established depending on the type of drug.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also prescribed to treat primary dysmenorrhea. As a rule, these drugs are recommended for young women who do not want to use hormonal drugs, or if for some reason they are contraindicated. NSAIDs are recommended for use directly during menstruation with the onset of painful conditions, as they have a pronounced analgesic effect. Drugs of this kind also reduce the level of prostaglandins in menstrual blood. The effect of NSAIDs occurs immediately after administration (due to rapid absorption) and lasts from two to six hours.

However, all modern medications used to eliminate primary dysmenorrhea have some contraindications for use. You should not take gestagens for inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, as well as after an abortion. Injectable contraceptives are absolutely contraindicated in the presence of diabetes mellitus and viral hepatitis. Combined oral contraceptives are contraindicated if the woman is breastfeeding or has a tendency to develop blood clots. In addition, in case of liver cirrhosis, epilepsy and kidney disease, taking COCs is contraindicated. You should not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if you have bronchial asthma, urticaria, or acute rhinitis.

When treating primary dysmenorrhea, you should keep a menstrual calendar, where you should record your feelings during menstruation. In addition, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist once every three months.

Secondary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea, painful menstruation).
As a rule, secondary dysmenorrhea is expressed by painful menstruation in women after thirty years of age, which is accompanied by heavy bleeding with clots and severe pain in the lumbar region.

Symptoms and causes of secondary dysmenorrhea (painful periods) are usually divided into four groups:

• emotional and mental – states of depression of varying severity, increased irritability;
• vegetative - nausea, bloating, hiccups;
• vegetative-vascular - headaches, tachycardia, dizziness (fainting), numbness of the extremities;
• metabolic-endocrine - vomiting, skin itching, joint pain, weakness, etc.

As mentioned above, the main cause of painful menstruation at a young age is hormonal imbalance. But with age, hormonal levels normalize (especially after the birth of a child), which eliminates the release of substances into the blood that cause painful conditions. Therefore, secondary dysmenorrhea (algomenorrhea) in women after 30 years of age is a sign of organic changes in the pelvic organs, which can be caused by tumors of the genital organs, inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, endometriosis, adhesive changes after surgery, and dilation of the pelvic veins.

In addition, it is worth saying that the use of intrauterine contraception can affect the pain of menstruation. Therefore, any painful sensations during menstruation in women using this type of contraception should be the reason for contacting a specialist.

Treatment and prevention of secondary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
To treat secondary dysmenorrhea, therapeutic and surgical methods are used. The surgical method is aimed at treating diseases identified during examination of the patient (endometriosis or inflammatory diseases of the genital organs). As a result, secondary dysmenorrhea and its symptoms disappear on their own.

The therapeutic method of treatment is aimed at reducing pain during menstruation by prescribing medications. It should be noted that in order to reduce pain during menstruation, women are not recommended to self-prescribe and take analgesics, since over time, analgesics eliminate sensitivity to pain, thereby contributing to the progression of the disease without pronounced painful symptoms. This can also be attributed to tranquilizers, which are used, as a rule, for pronounced psychological symptoms of dysmenorrhea.