Menstrual Pain Explained: Why Are Periods Painful?

While discomfort, pain, and cramps during periods are normal, it is not normal to experience excessive pain that can cause one to miss school or work.

Painful Periods

Generally, painful menstruation is known as dysmenorrhea, which comes in two types. The first type, primary dysmenorrhea, occurs among individuals who feel pain before and during menstruation, while the second type, secondary dysmenorrhea, may occur among those who have experienced normal periods that become painful later on in life. This type could result from a condition that affects the uterus or other pelvic organs.

The exact cause of menstrual pain is hard to identify. However, some people have a higher risk of having periods that are more painful. These risk factors include being under 20 years old, smoking, having a family history of menstrual pain, having heavy bleeding during periods, never having had a baby, having irregular periods, and reaching puberty before turning 11 years old.

Menstrual pain can also come from other underlying medical conditions, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibroids within the uterus, endometriosis, adenomyosis, cervical stenosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Hormones and Period Pain

Hormones also play a role when it comes to period pain and discomfort. A hormone known as prostaglandin is responsible for triggering muscle contractions in the uterus that expel the uterine lining. Such contractions could lead to inflammation and pain. Prostaglandin levels go up before the start of menstruation.

Higher prostaglandin levels lead to more severe cramping. Extremely high prostaglandin levels could lead to nausea and diarrhea. As the uterine lining gets shed, prostaglandin levels within the body go down. This explains why cramps usually subside on the first days of the period.

Aside from prostaglandin, two hormones, progesterone and estrogen, help with menstrual cycle regulation. Both of them may affect brain chemicals linked to headaches. Right before the onset of one's period, estrogen levels within the body are lower, which could lead to headaches.

Fluctuating levels of hormones may also lead to breast tenderness and pain. Estrogen enlarges the ducts of the breast, while progesterone induces swelling of the milk glands. This makes the breasts tender.

Managing Menstrual Pain

There are home remedies that could be helpful with menstrual pain relief. These remedies include massaging the abdomen, using a heating pad on the back or pelvic area, engaging in regular exercise, having a warm bath, practicing yoga or relaxation techniques, taking anti-inflammatory medicines a few days before the period starts, and taking some vitamins and supplements.

If painful periods are interfering with daily tasks every month, it may be necessary to see a gynecologist. Moreover, sudden pelvic pain or cramping could signify an infection. An infection that goes untreated can lead to scar tissues that cause damage to the pelvic organs and could even cause infertility.