PAINFUL THOSE FEW DAYS
Author : Dr. Mrs. Shyamali Roy, Sr. Gynocologist
This is a condition very common in the women in the reproductive period. Every month these few days restrain the normal routine of the women. Her general well being is at a low ebb and she is mostly inactive and thus at worst efficiency level.
Painful periods..............is also called dysmenorrhoea. It is a painful condition during the days of menstruation. Some feel mild cramps in the lower abdomen while others have excrutiating pain developing in spasms intermittently. Some feel the pain localized but in some the pain may radiate to the thighs and upper parts of the tummy. These pains may be there along with a general feeling of unwell.
When this pain occurs before the actual onset of periods and is associated with vommiting ,generalised swelling and pain with heaviness in the breast..it is called PREMENSTUAL SYNDROME.
Painful periods...... can be of two types
primary dysmenorrhoea....occuring basically due to hormonal disturbances
secondary dysmenorrhoea......develops due to presence of some disease in the pelvic region like...uterine fibroids..ovarian cysts..endometriosis..etc The presence of copper Tor any intra uterine devices may also give rise to painful periods.
The cause of the condition is due to a painful hormone called prostaglandin which is secreted during the periods. Prostaglandin is responsible for the shedding off of the uterine lining and thus causing uterine cramps and pain.
Painful periods......sometimes become so disturbing that one is unable to visit a doctor for some medications. here are a few tips to get some releif.....
1.....take a disprin vth some water. Take rest for a while. But do not keep lying down the whole day long. The blood should b draining out easily. The smother the flow ..the easier is the pain releif.
2...Use a hot water pack. Fill a bottle with hot water and place on your lower abdomen. Place a hot pillow in the back and rest.
3..drink a hot glass of milk vth lots of sugar.
4....mild streching exercise. Brisk walking for 10 - 15 mins will do wonders. Even aerobics or dancing to music helps in raising mood and hence to dissolve the pain.
5...removal of copper T or any intrauterine devices will also remove the root cause of the cramping pain.
6......staying away from alcohol or cigarettes . These taken during periods release more of prostaglandins and hence aggravate the pain. . Taking alcohol during periods also increase bleeding and hence more of discomfort.
These can be tried before actualy meeting a gynaecologist.
Painful periods........if not corrected by these methods one must meet the gynaecologist. She will then prescribe some medicines after taking a few tests like..blood investigations. An ultrasound is a must to rule out any underlying pathology like a growth in the uterus or a fibroid or endometriosis or an ovarian cyst.
Strong analgesics like ibuprofen and nimusulides help in reducing pain. Sometimes oral pills taken routinely for three consequitive cycles help in controlling the painful periods and also reduce the flow of bleeding. These days natural hormones specially Progesterone taken in prescribed doses reduce painful periods to bearable intensity.
Other treatments for painful periods include removal of the underlying tumour or the cyst. Sometimes in very serios un yeilding painful conditions complete removal of the uterus is decided upon. But this is a last option.
Other effective treatments are the chinese methods of accupunture and accupressor. Many have got very drastic results.
Herbal remedies include Aromatherapy with oils which infuse a sense of wellbeing and also disperse pain.
Viburnum capsules taken regularly over a period of time is the standard ayurvedic treatment. Evening primrose oil is another herbal medication very effective in treating painful periods.
Painful periods ...has no effect on the fertility of a women in any age group. Many have aimed at treating fertility by treating dysmenorhagia...but its not fruitful except bringing about a sense of wellbeing.
Mrraige is not the treatment for painful periods.
Childbearing may sometimes help in curing the painful situation mainly becoz childbearing facilitates the easy flow of blood due to dilatation of the pathway.
Painful periods is a very disturbing condition but with patience and small efforts it can b made bearable.