Does dysmenorrhea affect pregnancy?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on September 12, 2024
00:00
00:00

Whether dysmenorrhea affects pregnancy cannot be generalized. Dysmenorrhea can be divided into primary dysmenorrhea, which is physiological, and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to cases where there are no pathological changes in the female reproductive organs, and the pain is solely due to uterine contractions during menstruation, commonly seen in adolescent girls. Moreover, conditions such as adenomyosis, severe uterine fibroids, and endometriosis can also cause pain and are associated with changes in the uterus, which can affect pregnancy. However, primary, functional dysmenorrhea generally does not impact the ability to conceive. Thus, whether dysmenorrhea affects pregnancy depends on the specific circumstances.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

Is dysmenorrhea a disease?

Obvious and severe dysmenorrhea is also considered a disease. Even if physical examinations do not reveal any abnormalities, simple cold uterus or straightforward dysmenorrhea are recognized as diseases. It is advisable to routinely undergo physical examinations to identify causes related to dysmenorrhea. For instance, some people suffer from dysmenorrhea due to pelvic inflammation, others due to complications with intrauterine devices, and some can be diagnosed with conditions such as adenomyosis or endometriosis, which cause progressive dysmenorrhea symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 15sec home-news-image

Is it normal to have painful periods?

Dysmenorrhea is generally abnormal. Under normal circumstances, if menstruation involves ovulation, there may be slight discomfort in the lower abdomen during menstruation, which is considered normal. If dysmenorrhea is present and tends to worsen over time, this condition usually indicates the possibility of endometriosis. In such cases, it is essential to visit a hospital for a color ultrasound and a CA125 blood test to confirm if the pain is caused by endometriosis, and treatment should be based on the diagnostic results. Furthermore, if dysmenorrhea is caused by a cold uterus, symptoms might include pain accompanied by a cold sensation in the lower abdomen and cold extremities. In this case, it is typically necessary to take medicine that warms the meridians, dispels cold, and alleviates pain in the uterus. If dysmenorrhea is due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, one can take medicine that promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and relieves pain in the meridians. Therefore, dysmenorrhea is not normal.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
46sec home-news-image

How to quickly relieve menstrual pain?

If the symptoms of dysmenorrhea are severe, to quickly alleviate the pain, it is essential to keep warm strictly. You can use a hot water bottle to apply heat to the lower abdomen or soak your feet in warm water. Heat therapy generally quickly relieves the pain caused by the contraction of the uterine smooth muscle and spasms. If necessary, painkillers can be used for treatment, although painkillers have side effects, such as gastrointestinal damage. If you have noticeable symptoms of dysmenorrhea, you should have regular physical examinations to determine if it is related to pelvic inflammation. Some cases are due to conditions like adenomyosis or endometriosis, and targeted treatments can be performed.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
58sec home-news-image

What to drink for menstrual pain?

Women experiencing menstrual cramps can drink some hot soup, brown sugar water, or ginger sugar water. Additionally, using a heating pad can help warm the uterus. Drinking a cup of hot milk before bedtime during the menstrual period can also aid in sleep and alleviate symptoms of menstrual pain. Menstrual pain is a common gynecological condition among women, occurring before, after, or during menstruation, characterized by lower abdominal pain, a feeling of heaviness accompanied by lower back pain or other discomforts. Severe cases can impact the quality of life. During menstruation, women should maintain regular sleep patterns, avoid staying up late, eat a light diet, and refrain from consuming spicy or stimulating foods. Consumption of cold and chilled foods should be avoided, and additional care should be taken to keep the lower abdomen warm.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
47sec home-news-image

Does soaking feet in hot water work for menstrual cramps?

During menstrual cramps, soaking feet in hot water can promote blood circulation and somewhat relieve the pain. However, applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen is more effective as it raises the local temperature, which enhances local blood circulation and helps alleviate menstrual pain. The principle behind this is that the occurrence of menstrual cramps is due to an increase in prostaglandin levels in the blood during menstruation, leading to muscle contractions and even spasms, causing pain. Applying heat locally through methods like hot compresses can maintain high temperatures and promote blood circulation, facilitating the metabolism of prostaglandins and the relief of muscle spasms, thereby reducing or alleviating pain.