Dysmenorrhea
Overview of Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea Meaning in Urdu
یہ بیماری لاحق ہونے کی صورت میں حیض کے دوران شدید درد کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے، جب کہ حیض کے دوران یہ درد بار بار لاحق ہوتا ہے۔ کئی دفعہ یہ درد حیض کے آغاز میں ہی شروع ہو جاتا ہے جب کہ بعض اوقات یہ حیض کے درمیان میں شروع ہوتا ہے۔ یہ بیماری لاحق ہونے کی صورت میں مختلف وٹامنز اور سپلیمنٹز استعمال کرنے کا مشورہ دیا جاتا ہے۔ ان وٹامنز میں وٹامن ای، اومیگا-تھری فیٹی ایسڈز، وٹامن بی، اور میگنیشیم کا استعمال شامل ہے تا کہ اس بیماری سے آسانی کے ساتھ نجات حاصل کی جا سکے۔
Dysmenorrhea (ماہواری کا دَرد کے ساتھ آنا) is a medical term used for painful periods. The pain mostly is felt in the lower body, back, and abdomen. Dysmenorrhea usually occurs a few days before menstruation starts and can also be experienced on the initial days of menstruation.
Signs and Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea
Types of Dysmenorrhea
There are usually two types of dysmenorrhea observed: Primary and Secondary.
Primary Dysmenorrhea
It occurs as soon as a woman starts menstruating and can go on for life. Primary dysmenorrhea causes mild to severe uterine contractions that can be frequent and extremely painful.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea
This type occurs when there is a problem observed in the reproductive system of the body. The pain felt can go on for a longer period of time which is way more than normal menstrual pain felt. There are certain conditions that can cause secondary dysmenorrhea, these include,
Fibroids
These are growths that can be formed inside or outside the uterus.
Endometriosis
A condition in which the tissue lining of the uterus is present outside of the uterus. The tissue pieces bleed out during periods causing scarring and swelling.
Adenomyosis
Adenomyosis is a condition in which the size of the uterus increases, due to the lining of the uterus growing into the muscles of the uterus.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID is a bacterial infection that occurs in the uterus and spreads to the other reproductive organs. This can cause pain during periods and while having intercourse.
Causes of Dysmenorrhea
The causes of dysmenorrhea that are of major concern are given below:
- Chemical Imbalance in the Body
- Uterine Fibroids
- Miscarriages
- Polyps in the Pelvic Cavity
- Abnormal Pregnancies
- Abnormal size of the cervix
- Infections
Risk Factors of Dysmenorrhea
Although dysmenorrhea can occur to anyone, the women who are at a greater risk of developing this condition include,
- Women who get their periods earlier than usual
- Women who have never been pregnant
- Overweight women
- Women who drink and use addictive substances
Other risk factors include:
- Irregular periods
- Family history of Dysmenorrhea
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Prolonged duration of menstruation cycle
Dysmenorrhea Complications
Certain conditions that are associated with dysmenorrhea can cause serious complications like,
- Endometriosis can result in fertility issues
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes and increase the risk of the egg forming outside of the uterus
Although dysmenorrhea can occur to anyone, the women who are at a greater risk of developing this condition include,
- Women who get their periods earlier than usual
- Women who have never been pregnant
- Overweight women
- Women who drink and use addictive substances
Other risk factors include:
- Irregular periods
- Family history of Dysmenorrhea
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Prolonged duration of menstruation cycle
Dysmenorrhea Complications
Certain conditions that are associated with dysmenorrhea can cause serious complications like,
- Endometriosis can result in fertility issues
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes and increase the risk of the egg forming outside of the uterus
Prevention
Certain measures and changes in lifestyle can avoid the occurrence of dysmenorrhea in women. These can be,
- Lessen the use of tobacco
- Avoid drinking
- Avoid the use of caffeinated drinks
- Exercise Regularly
- Balanced Diet
Diagnosis
To get you diagnosed with dysmenorrhea, the healthcare provider takes the family history first. A pelvic and physical exam is conducted along with other tests including,
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
This test is used by healthcare providers to get detailed images of the inner organs of the body.
Ultrasound
High-frequency sound waves are used to take images of the inner body to find out the main cause of dysmenorrhea.
Hysteroscopy
This is an examination of the pathway to the cervix and the inner side of the uterus. A hysteroscope is inserted in the uterus to diagnose dysmenorrhea.
Laparoscopy
A thin tube with a light thin tube is inserted in the abdomen. This can detect the presence of any tumor in the uterus or the pelvic region.
Treatment of Dysmenorrhea | When to Consult a Doctor
The treatment of dysmenorrhea can be determined by your healthcare provider based on,
- Your condition
- Cause of the condition
- Scope of the condition
- Medical History
- Age
- Your preference
- Overall health
There is no permanent treatment available for dysmenorrhea however to manage the symptoms certain treatments are available. These include,
- Ovulation Inhibitors i.e, oral contraceptives
- Progesterone (hormone treatment)
- Prostaglandin Inhibitors such as anti-inflammatory medication
- Supplements
- Changes in diet (decrease in sugar content and increase in protein intake)
- Destruction of the uterine wall (Endometrial Ablation)
- Removal of the uterus (Hysterectomy)
Alternative Therapies for Dysmenorrhea Treatment
There are some natural ways to deal with dysmenorrhea and these can be used by women who prefer to treat their issue naturally. Some of the alternative methods and ways used include,
- Massage
- Breathing Exercises
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Relaxation Techniques
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
Consult a gynecologist if your condition worsens.
Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Pakistan
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Nowshera
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Lahore
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Kasur
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Swabi
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Karachi
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Islamabad
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Multan
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Rawalpindi
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Peshawar
- Doctors to treat Dysmenorrhea in Faisalabad