Menstrual Cramps – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Menstrual Pain
Menstrual cramps involve throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience this pain before and during their periods.
For some, this discomfort is minor, while others face severe pain that disrupts daily activities for several days each month.
Underlying conditions like endometriosis or uterine fibroids can cause these cramps. Women often find that their cramps become less severe with age or after childbirth. The key to managing menstrual pain is treating its root cause.
Symptoms
Menstrual cramps often cause a throbbing or cramping pain in the lower abdomen. This pain typically begins 1โ3 days before your period starts.
It peaks within 24 hours after your period starts and then gradually decreases over the next 2โ3 days.
Many women also experience a constant, dull ache. Pain that spreads to the lower back and thighs is also common.
Additional symptoms that might accompany menstrual cramps include:
- Nausea
- Loose stools
- Headaches
- Dizziness
These symptoms vary in intensity from person to person, with some experiencing mild discomfort while others have more severe pain.
When to See a Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- Your monthly menstrual cramps significantly interfere with your daily activities
- You notice your pain is getting worse over time
- You develop severe cramps after age 25 if you hadn’t had them before.
These symptoms might indicate an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
Causes
Menstrual cramps occur when the uterus contracts to shed its lining during your period. These contractions are triggered by prostaglandins, which are substances that play a role in pain and inflammation.
Higher levels of prostaglandins typically result in more severe cramping.
Several conditions can lead to painful menstrual cramps:
- Endometriosis: Uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining.
- Uterine fibroids: Benign growths that develop in the uterine wall.
- Adenomyosis: A condition where uterine lining tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus.
Other potential causes include:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: An infection affecting the reproductive organs, typically from bacteria spread through sexual contact.
- Cervical stenosis: A narrowed cervical opening that restricts menstrual flow, creating painful pressure in the uterus.
These conditions can intensify normal period pain or create additional symptoms beyond typical menstrual discomfort.
Risk Factors
You may face a higher chance of menstrual cramps if:
- You are under 30 years old
- Your first period came at age 11 or younger
- You experience heavy bleeding during periods
- Your periods come at irregular times
- Other women in your family have painful periods
- You use tobacco products
These factors don’t guarantee you’ll have painful periods, but they might increase your likelihood of experiencing them.
Complications
Menstrual cramps themselves don’t lead to medical complications. However, they can disrupt daily activities.
These activities include school attendance, work performance, and social engagements.
Some conditions related to menstrual pain can cause more serious issues. For example, endometriosis may lead to fertility problems.
Also, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes. This scarring increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
These associated conditions require proper medical attention to prevent long-term reproductive health issues.
