Menstrual Cramps

Overview

It is a common knowledge of every woman who has come of age, that dealing with menstrual cramps every month can be quite a hassle and an unendurable pain. Technically, menstrual cramps can be defined as the pain or ache in the lower abdominal or pelvic region that is experienced as a result of menstrual periods. Most women experience menstrual cramps, which range from mild to severe; this level of severity depends on what day of the menstrual period cycle they endure. For some girls and women, the first two days of the period may cause more severe cramps than the rest of the period; but regardless of their severity, menstrual cramps in general are unpleasant and frustrating to deal with.

The symptoms of menstrual cramps can range from a barely noticeable twinge that is usually felt with during the period cycle, to strong menstrual cramps that are so painful that they may even interfere with every day activities for several days together.

Other symptoms of menstrual cramps include a heavy feeling in the abdomen, as well as an overall feeling of fatigue and lethargy. Some women tend to alleviate the discomfort of menstrual cramps through the use of over-the-counter painkillers and medications that are designed to specifically target cramp symptoms. However, on many occasions, such pills don't work quite as well as a woman would prefer them to be.

Menstrual cramps affect nearly half of the women population, who experience menstruation; and nearly 20% of these sufferers experience severe cramps that may require bed rest. Generally, there are two different types of menstrual cramps - primary and secondary categories.

In primary dysmenorrhea (the medical name for menstrual cramps), the symptoms are fleeting and match the menstrual cycle. In secondary dysmenorrhea, conditions develop within the reproductive system, which in turn contribute to the menstrual pain. In most cases, cramps are caused by the swelling and the dying of the endometrial lining of the uterus, which happens on a monthly basis. As the endometrial tissues break down, molecular compounds are released that cause the uterus to contract. When these muscles of the uterus contract, blood flow is restricted. This restriction results in a lack of oxygen into tissues, which breaks down and causes death. The uterus will then contract and push those dead tissues through the cervix and out of the body. This process is also accompanied by elevated chemicals that contribute to the inflammatory response, which results in the menstrual cramps.

Most women feel the sensations of cramp due to the uterine contractions, and the difference between severities may have to do with any individual woman's hormonal levels. Accompanying symptoms may also include headache and nausea, and sometimes you may even experience constipation and diarrhoea, due to the increase of various hormones found in the body.

Treatment

Some women find that exercise helps to relieve menstrual cramps, while some others find comfort in hot water bottles and also in lying on their stomach. Bed rest also does help for some very severe cases of menstrual cramps. In most cases, menstrual cramps will start a day or two before the onset of the period and will usually peak within 24 hours of its commencement.

Women need to find treatments that work best for them. This is because, every woman is unique, and so is her period and the resultant pain patterns. Experimentation, as well as a willingness to try new things seems to have worked best for women for thousands of years. You should also do a trial and error and identify what works best for you.