📌 Dysmenorrhea Overview ( painful menstruation)

🔹 Primary Dysmenorrhea

Definition: Painful menstruation without an underlying pelvic pathology.

Cause: Prostaglandin release during menstruation → ↑ uterine contractions → ischemia & pain.

Onset: Typically begins within 1–2 years of menarche.

Symptoms: Cramping lower abdominal pain, may radiate to back or thighs, often accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, headache.

🔹 Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Definition: Menstrual pain caused by an identifiable pelvic pathology.

Common causes:

• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Fibroids
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Ovarian cysts or IUD-related pain

Onset: Later in reproductive life, pain often worsens over time and may persist outside menstruation.

📌 How to Reduce Dysmenorrhea (Guidelines & Tips)

✅ Lifestyle & Home Remedies

1. Heat therapy: Hot water bottle/heating pad to abdomen or lower back.

2. Exercise: Regular aerobic activity & stretching reduce cramps.

3. Diet: Reduce caffeine, salty and fatty foods. Increase fruits, vegetables, omega-3.

4. Hydration & warm herbal teas: Ginger, chamomile, cinnamon.

5. Stress reduction: Yoga, meditation, proper sleep.

✅ Medical Management (Guideline-based)

First line:

NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Mefenamic acid) – best started 24 hrs before expected period & continued 48–72 hrs.

Hormonal therapy:

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs).

Progestin-only options or LNG-IUD (effective in secondary dysmenorrhea, e.g., endometriosis).

Other options:

Tranexamic acid (for heavy bleeding + pain).

Magnesium & Vitamin B  ,  E supplements (supportive).

Secondary dysmenorrhea:

Treat underlying cause (e.g., surgery for fibroids, laparoscopy for endometriosis).

⚠️ When to Refer

Severe pain not responding to NSAIDs/COCs.

Pain associated with infertility, irregular bleeding, pelvic mass.

Suspected endometriosis or adenomyosis.

✨ Women’s health matters. Don’t ignore your pain. ✨  

#DrRababCares 

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