Menstrual cramp treatment

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About Menstrual cramps

Menstrual cramps - also known as dysmenorrhea - are common symptoms that may occur with a period. These cramps usually happen just before or during a menstrual period. In many cases, this discomfort will go away after a few days and require little medical treatment.

Common symptoms of menstrual cramps include:

  • Cramping and aching in the lower abdomen
  • Pain that radiates from the abdomen to the upper thighs and back
  • Feeling pressure in the abdomen

In most cases, menstrual cramps are caused by the uterus contracting during a period. These contractions are the most common cause of menstrual cramps, although some women may experience pain and cramping due to an underlying condition.

Medical conditions that can cause pain during periods include:

- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID is an infection of the reproductive organs, commonly caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.

- Endometriosis: This condition occurs when the lining of the uterus develops on the outside of the uterus. Endometriosis can cause swelling and pain during periods.

- Fibroids: Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow on the walls of the uterus.

- Adenomyosis: This condition occurs when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.

- Cervical stenosis: A narrow opening of the cervix can impede menstrual flow, which can lead to pressure in the uterus. This pressure can cause cramping during a period.

Menstrual cramps usually decrease in intensity as a woman grows older. If you experience menstrual cramps for more than 2-3 days, or if the pain is severe, talk to your health care provider. Cramping won’t result in complications, but serious pain may signify an underlying condition such as those listed above.

Most cases of menstrual cramps can be effectively treated with over-the-counter medication and self-care strategies. Common treatment options are listed below. During your appointment, discuss your symptoms with your provider and talk about what treatment plan might be right for you.

Most cases of menstrual cramps can be treated at home with self-care strategies. These methods include:

- OTC pain relievers: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help relieve pain and discomfort caused by menstrual periods. It is recommended that you begin to take ibuprofen as soon as the symptoms of a menstrual period begin until the symptoms have begun to go away.

- Heating pads: Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to your abdomen can help reduce the pain of menstrual cramps.

- Avoid alcohol and tobacco

- Rest and destress: Fatigue and stress can worsen the symptoms of menstrual cramps. If you are in pain during your period, use relaxation methods to reduce your stress. Additionally, practice healthy sleep habits to get plenty of rest during your period.

- Exercise: It has been shown that women who exercise regularly experience less severe symptoms during menstrual periods.

While more evidence is needed regarding the effectiveness of these alternative therapies, some women have noted that these methods help reduce the pain of menstrual cramps:

  • Yoga
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage
  • Relaxation and breathing exercises
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  3. Tigard, OR
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