When monthly period approaches, women will usually prepare themselves for some few hassles. If there is something they can do to stop it without affecting their fertility, they surely would. Well, there is actually something more than just the hassle of changing pads and limiting their movements. It is when dysmenorrhea strikes along with their period.
Why It Happens
The pain can be very inconvenient for some women but what really causes it? According to WebMD, the pain is caused by the cramping of muscles in the abdomen during menstruation. Dysmenorrhea is normal but when it happens every month with severe pain, there could be something more than just muscle cramps.
Types
There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is the cramping of muscles that usually occur shortly before or on the onset of the period that can last from three to five days. Secondary dysmenorrhea is the more serious case because the abdominal pain could be a symptom of a disorder in the female's reproductive organ specifically the in the ovaries.
Underlying Condition
The disorder that is usually linked to secondary dysmenorrhea is called endometriosis according to National Center for Biotechnology Information, It is when the endometrial glands are present outside the uterine musculature that causes lesions and adhesions, leading to severe pain and bleeding. The cause is still unknown but according to study theories, the endometrial tissues are deposited on its unusual area because of back-flowing menstrual blood going to the fallopian tubes and to the ovaries.
Treatments
Just like the cause, the cure for this disorder is still unknown but there are treatments that can be applied to reduce pain and assist fertility. If the problem is just the pain, estrogen levels can be lowered down to shrink the endometrial implants and lessen the pain. For more serious cases like fertility problems, surgery may be needed.
