What Causes Menstrual Pain And How Can It Be Relieved?

First of all, it is important to understand that every woman experiences menstruation differently. While some women barely feel their period, others cannot even work when they have it, says Jekaterina Vasiljeva, head physician of gynecology and obstetrics at the Vivantes Klinikum Am Urban in Berlin.

The doctor is well aware of the discomfort her patients experience: cramps, back pain, nausea, diarrhea, or heavy bleeding. The symptoms can vary.

The reason why many women experience pain during their period is due to prostaglandin, which acts as a pain messenger. One of its functions is to trigger the shedding of the uterine lining and the contraction of the muscles in the uterus. This can result in painful cramps. There are several possibilities for relieving this pain. According to Vasiljeva, each woman must find the right method to do so.

She recommends different things to her patients. Exercise and sports can help with pelvic irrigation, for example. On the other hand, taking magnesium can inhibit contractions of the uterine muscles.

Warm showers hot water or seed bags may also help. However, care must be taken that the temperature is not too high, as this can increase bleeding. Antispasmodic herbal teas or a gentle clockwise abdominal massage may also provide relief.

The gynecologist also recommends that her patients eat light meals to avoid overloading the intestines. She also advises against drinking alcohol or smoking during menstruation.

When none of these help, you may need to resort to a painkiller. Ibuprofen, diclofenac, and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) cause the body to produce less prostaglandin.

Doris Scharrel, a gynecologist and representative of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein at the German Association of Gynaecologists, says that it is best to take them two days before bleeding, to ensure their effectiveness. She adds that a small dose is sufficient.

The gynecologist also believes that if women know in advance that they are experiencing discomfort during their period, it is best to integrate some breaks into their daily routine. This may mean, for example, moving the heaviest work to other days or exercising the following week if it is very demanding. Scharrell says that there are sometimes cases where she gives medical certificates to patients who suffer a lot during their period so that they can take time off work and recover.

“While most women cope well with menstrual discomfort, one in ten finds menstruation very unpleasant and finds it disruptive to their routine,” Vasiljeva said.

According to her, this is because “all women have a different tolerance threshold and perceive pain differently.” Vasiljeva adds that in some women, severe pain may also have organic causes.

She explains that women with pelvic blood flow problems are more likely to experience pain, for example. The location of the uterus is also decisive. If it is tilted backward, for example, these women are more likely to experience back pain. Benign tumors such as fibroids can also cause or increase pain.

Other women complain of irregular menstrual cycles or even a month of missed periods. According to Vasiljeva, this is due to hormonal changes. And when bleeding does occur, it is often more painful, she explains.

Stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep can also play a role in menstrual pain. This can make menstruation more unpleasant for some women in one month than in another. Being overweight can also increase discomfort by disrupting the hormonal balance, according to gynecologist Scharrel.

When it comes to the intensity of menstrual pain, age should not be underestimated either. “Once the first period arrives, it can take between one and three years for the cycle to become regular. That’s why the first two years can be unpleasant,” says Vasiljeva, adding that these pains usually subside with age.

She also points out that childbirth usually improves the condition. “The anatomy of the organs and the irrigation of the pelvis changes,” she explains, adding that menstrual pain generally improves after the first birth.

However, specialists warn that it is important to be alert to changes in the symptoms. “If the pain increases and a woman finds that she can no longer function daily, she should go to the doctor,” says Vasiljeva.

In any case, specialists recommend consulting a gynecologist when menstrual pain is severe, since, according to Scharrel, it can sometimes be caused by endometriosis. Endometriosis is one of the most common abdominal diseases in women and occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of it and attaches to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or intestines.