Causes and treatments for dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is a common symptom in women during menstruation, and the main causes are primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.Primary dysmenorrhea is mostly related to excessive prostaglandin secretion and excessive uterine contraction; secondary dysmenorrhea is related to pelvic diseases (such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, etc.).This article will start from the causes, symptoms, relief methods and treatment suggestions to help women deal with dysmenorrhea scientifically.

1. Primary dysmenorrhea: imbalance of hormones and uterine contractions

Primary dysmenorrhea is more common in adolescent women. It is mainly caused by the increased secretion of prostaglandin (PGF2α) in the endometrium during menstruation, which causes strong contraction of uterine smooth muscle and causes ischemic pain.The pain usually starts on the first day of menstruation and lasts for 1-3 days. It is manifested as spasmodic pain in the lower abdomen, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and headache.Research shows that about 80% of primary dysmenorrhea can be relieved by heat compresses, moderate exercise or over-the-counter analgesics.

2. Secondary dysmenorrhea: disease signals need to be alerted

Secondary dysmenorrhea is mostly caused by diseases of the reproductive system, such as endometriosis (endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus), adenomyosis (endometrium invades the myometrium), or pelvic inflammatory disease.This type of dysmenorrhea is painful for longer periods of time (perhaps throughout the entire period) and gets worse with age.If symptoms such as dyspareunia, abnormal menstrual flow, or infertility occur, you should seek medical treatment promptly and obtain the cause through ultrasound or laparoscopy.

3. Relief and Treatment: From Life Conditioning to Medical Intervention

For mild menstrual cramps, it is recommended to use hot compresses (hot compress on the abdomen at around 40°C for 15 minutes), supplement Omega-3 fatty acids (such as deep-sea fish), or drink ginger tea to relieve it.For moderate to severe dysmenorrhea, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can be used under the guidance of a doctor.Secondary dysmenorrhea requires treatment to target the cause, such as hormonal therapy (such as oral contraceptive pills) or surgery.Research shows that long-term regular exercise (such as yoga) can reduce the incidence of dysmenorrhea by 30%-50%.

4. Comprehensive management: prevention is better than treatment

The prevention and treatment of dysmenorrhea requires a multi-pronged approach: avoid cold and raw foods before menstruation and ensure sleep; use baby warmers or hot water bottles during menstruation; and strengthen pelvic floor muscle training on a daily basis.If pain affects the quality of life, it is recommended to record the menstrual cycle and symptoms to provide reference for doctors’ diagnosis.It is worth noting that about 60% of women experience relief of dysmenorrhea symptoms after giving birth, but secondary dysmenorrhea requires continued attention.

Quote sources:
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) "Clinical Management Guidelines for Dysmenorrhea" 2022 Edition
2. Views from Professor Tian Qinjie, Chief Physician of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital
3. Related product references: Nuanbaobao (Kobayashi Pharmaceutical), Ibuprofen Sustained Release Capsules (Fenbid)