The most common treatments for severe menstrual cramps are:. During our periods, the uterine contracts in order to shed its lining. Sometimes, the contraction of the uterus can feel painful and cause cramps. This type of menstrual cramps is more common. Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by prostaglandin in the lining of your uterus. Prostaglandin is a hormone found in the uterine lining that increases just before menstruation starts. Primary dysmenorrhea is usually worse around the time a woman starts getting her period and lessens with age.
The level of prostaglandin rises right before menstruation begins. At-home treatments can be helpful in relieving painful menstrual periods. Types of things to try at home include:. If menstrual pain is interfering with your ability to perform basic tasks each month, it may be time to talk to a gynecologist. Sudden cramping or pelvic pain could be signs of infection. An untreated infection can cause scar tissue that damages the pelvic organs and may lead to infertility.
When trying to find out what the underlying cause of painful menstruation is, your doctor will likely take your medical history and perform a physical exam. This will include a pelvic exam to check for any abnormalities in your reproductive system and to look for signs of infection. If your doctor thinks an underlying disorder is causing your symptoms, they may perform imaging tests. These can include:. Depending on the results of your imaging tests, your doctor may order a laparoscopy.
This is a test in which a doctor makes small incisions in the abdomen into which they insert a fiber-optic tube with a camera at the end to see inside your abdominal cavity.
Treatment will depend on the severity and underlying cause of your pain. In some cases, an ob-gyn may recommend a laparoscopy. This is a procedure that lets an ob-gyn view the organs in the pelvis. With laparoscopy, a small incision cut is made near the belly button. A thin, lighted camera—a laparoscope—is inserted into the abdomen. Laparoscopy often is done with general anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital. Medications are usually the first step when treating painful periods.
Certain pain relievers target prostaglandins. These medications, called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , reduce the prostaglandins made by the body and lessen their effects. This in turn makes menstrual cramps less severe. NSAIDs work best if taken at the first sign of your period or pain. You usually take them for only 1 or 2 days. Women with bleeding disorders, asthma, aspirin allergy, liver damage, stomach disorders, or ulcers should not take NSAIDs.
Birth control methods that contain estrogen and progestin , such as the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring, can be used to treat painful periods. Birth control methods that contain progestin only, such as the birth control implant and the injection, also may reduce period pain. Yes, the hormonal intrauterine device IUD also can be used to treat painful periods. In some cases, bleeding stops for women with an IUD. If you are not trying to get pregnant, you and your ob-gyn may talk about hormonal birth control methods as a form of treatment.
Acupuncture, acupressure, and nerve stimulation therapies may be useful for treating painful periods. Physical therapy that eases trigger points also may help with pain. Some types of physical therapy teach mental techniques for coping with pain. These types include relaxation exercises and biofeedback.
Vitamin B1 or magnesium supplements may be helpful, but not enough research has been done to recommend them as effective treatments for period pain. Exercise—Exercising most days of the week can make you feel better. Aerobic workouts, such as walking, jogging, biking, or swimming, help produce chemicals that block pain.
Apply heat—Taking a warm bath or placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen can be soothing. Sleep—Getting enough sleep before and during your period is important. Being well rested can help you cope with discomfort. If your symptoms or a laparoscopy point to endometriosis as the cause of your period pain, your ob-gyn may recommend you try a birth control method: the pill, the implant, the injection, or the hormonal IUD. Medications called gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH agonists also may relieve endometriosis pain.
GnRH agonists may cause side effects, including bone loss, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. They usually are used for a short time. See Endometriosis to learn more. If these do not work, a treatment called uterine artery embolization UAE may be recommended.
In this procedure, the blood vessels to the uterus are blocked with small particles. Dysmenorrhea in adult women: Treatment. Frequently asked questions. Gynecologic problems FAQ Dysmenorrhea: Painful periods. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No.
Period pain: Overview. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
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