Menstrual pain

Menstrual pain

Pain associated with menstruation is also called dysmenorrhea. Menstrual pain, or period pain, starts just before or at the same time as menstruation itself and can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. As a rule, you will first experience menstrual pain around puberty, but in some women the menstrual pain occurs in adulthood. Many women experience period pain to a greater or lesser extent.

What is the cause of period pain?

Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhoea) is caused by an overproduction of prostaglandins in the uterine lining during menstruation. Prostaglandins are substances that cause the muscle cells in the uterus to contract, causing cramps in the uterus. This is the reason why menstrual pain is also called menstrual cramps.

The contractions can cause pain, but the degree of pain can vary. Some people have light contractions that do not affect everyday life. Others experience great pain, which affects their lives to a great extent. The pain can start a few hours before menstruation starts, or at the same time. It is usually the first days of menstruation that are characterized by pain. The prostaglandins can also be transported with the blood to other parts of the body. This is the reason why you can experience other ailments during menstruation, such as nausea, diarrhoea, weakness, dizziness and headaches. Some may also experience pain in the back and thighs.

Primary and secondary dysmenorrhea

Menstrual pain is divided into primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is the pain that occurs around puberty. These often get better, or disappear, as you get older, give birth, or start using contraceptives. If the menstrual pain starts in adulthood, it may be due to underlying causes. The condition is then called secondary dysmenorrhoea. Such causes can be a copper coil, endometriosis or muscle knots in the uterus. It can also come from inflammation or adhesions in the muscles in the abdomen or uterus after operations.