Pain during periods
Mild contractions constantly
pass through the muscular wall of the uterus, and they are rarely noticed by
most women. During menstruation they are stronger than normal and during labor
they’re stronger still.
The point of these contractions is to help your uterus
shed its lining so a new one can grow in preparation for a fertilized egg to
implant itself.
Mild period pain, unfortunately
is completely normal. Severe period pain, (or dysmenorrhea) which will have
started around the time your periods first begun, should always be checked by a
physician. Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and inflammatory disease
can all cause severe period pain. A general rule of thumb is that if the pain
is stopping you from getting on with your life, it should always be checked by
a physician to discover a cause or cure.
There are generally two types of
period pain, spasmodic and congestive: Spasmodic
period pain describes cramps in the lower abdomen that can sometimes be as
painful as labor pains. The pains usually come in waves and are more painful at
the beginning of your period. They may also be accompanied by sickness,
headaches or diarrhea. The pains are caused by a lack of estrogen in your body
as your uterus contracts in order to shed its lining. The good news is during
pregnancy your body is filled with estrogen and your uterus is stretched by the
growing fetus – this means you may find the pain is less severe once your
periods return after having your baby.
Congestive period pain describes a pain in the lower abdomen and sometimes the
back for about a week before your period arrives and for a few days during your
period. Unfortunately this type of period pain does not seem to subside after
having a baby and can even get worse.
Exercise can help ease the
pain of periods, as can a hot water bottle applied to your lower abdomen.
Homeopathic remedies have also proved successful.
If you have any unanswered
questions, use our answers page to gain wisdom from other moms or our resident experts
on this or any other topic.
The information in this feature is intended for
educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the
health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a
doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 26/04/2007
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