Dysmenorrhea
Definition:
Dysmenorrhea refers to the pain or discomfort associated with menstruation . Although not a serious medical problem, the term describes a woman adolescent girl with menstrual symptoms severe enough to keep her from functioning for a day or two each month.
Signs & Symptoms:
The main symptom of dysmenorrhea is pain. It occurs in your lower abdomen during menstruation and may also be felt in your hips, lower back, or thighs. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, or general achiness.
For most women, the pain usually starts shortly before or during their menstrual period, peaks after 24 hours, and subsides after 2 to 3 days. Sometimes clots or pieces of bloody tissue from the lining of the uterus are expelled from the uterus, causing pain.
Dysmenorrhea pain may be spasmodic (sharp pelvic cramps at the start of menstrual flow) or congestive (deep, dull ache). The symptoms of secondary dysmenorrhea often start sooner in the menstrual cycle than those of primary dysmenorrhea, and usually last longer.
Cause:
Primary dysmenorrhea is thought to be caused by excessive levels of prostaglandins, hormones that make your uterus contract during menstruation and childbirth. Its pain probably results from contractions of your uterus that occur when the blood supply to its lining (endometrium) is reduced.
Other factors that may make the pain of primary dysmenorrhea even worse include a uterus that tilts backward (retroverted uterus) instead of forward, lack of exercise, psychological or social stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight, and starting menstruating before age 11.
Secondary dysmenorrhea may be caused by a number of conditions, including:
fibroids benign tumours that develop within the uterine wall or are attached to it
adenomyosis the tissue that lines the uterus (called the endometrium) begins to grow within its muscular walls
a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
endometriosis fragments of the endometrial lining that are found on other pelvic organs
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is primarily an infection of the fallopian tubes, but can also affect the ovaries, uterus, and cervix
an ovarian cyst or tumour
the use of an intrauterine device (IUD), a birth control method
How To Cure:
Mint: Mint has been used to treat many ailments, including stomach disorders, indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Consumption of mint tea helps in alleviating the associated pain of dysmenorrhea.
Ginger: Ginger has been traditionally used to treat ailments such as arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions. Ginger can be consumed by boiling it in water and drinking the water at least 3 times a day to get relief from dysmenorrhea. Research and clinical trials conducted by Ozgoli, Goli and Moattar from Iran, show that ginger has the same effect on killing pain as mefenamic acid or ibuprofen, so it can be used as one of the home remedies for dysmenorrhea.
Parsley: Parsley has menstrual cycle-regulating properties and pain relieving properties. Parsley can be consumed as a juice mixed with various vegetables such as carrots, beetroots, cucumbers, and tomatoes for good results. Research carried out by Popovi, Kaurinovi, Jakovljevi, Mimica-Dukic, and Bursahas shed additional light on parsleys medicinal uses for dysmenorrhea.
