Hi there..
When it comes to that time of the month, mild cramping, bloating, and irritability – although nuisances – are all to be expected. However, crippling cramps, heavy bleeding, serious fatigue and other symptoms that affect your quality of life are not. If your periods are causing you significant pain, consult your doctor, because menstrual pain can be a sign of a serious problem.
Some of these include:
i) Endometriosis
ii) Adenomyosis
iii) Fibroids
iv) Pelvic inflammatory disease (caused by sexually transmitted infections)
v) Uterine defects etc
Cramping that can’t be explained by structural defect or a reproductive condition, also known as primary dysmenorrhea, occurs at some point in almost half of all menstruating women. This cramping is caused by increased or imbalanced levels of prostaglandins – hormone-like fatty acids that stimulate the uterus to contract. Changes in prostaglandin levels can cause more intense and frequent uterine contractions, leading to the compression of nearby blood vessels and cutting off oxygen to the uterine muscle, thus causing painful cramping and discomfort.
I hope that answers your question?
Kind regards,
Jacquie
Many women experience painful periods at some point in their lives. Pain can range from mild to severe. Physiologically its caused by contraction of the uterus which helps to expel the blood. That is the normal process, which is hormone controlled. Severe painful cramps are not normal and this should be investigated, especially if accompanied by heavy bleeding or fever.
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