Causes of irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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There are many causes of menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea, so we must first consider changes caused by organic lesions, such as adenomyosis, which can cause increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstruation, and progressively worsening dysmenorrhea. There may even be pain during sexual intercourse, and abdominal pain may also occur occasionally. Apart from organic lesions, even after excluding organic conditions, some women may still experience menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea. For example, adolescent girls often experience primary dysmenorrhea along with menstrual irregularities, which could lead to functional bleeding.

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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.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to regulate dysmenorrhea for those with a cold constitution?

For dysmenorrhea related to a cold constitution, the first approach can be to adjust the cold constitution through traditional Chinese medicine. Second, massaging or applying moxibustion to acupoints can also regulate a cold constitution. For example, moxibustion on Sanyinjiao, Yinlingquan, and Yanglingquan can help alleviate and regulate a cold constitution. Third, through medicinal diet therapy, one can regulate their condition by eating warm-natured foods more often while avoiding cold and icy foods. In everyday life, it's also important to keep warm and avoid being in cold places for extended periods, and to pay attention to nutrition enhancement before menstruation.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why do I have scanty menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea?

When women experience reduced menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea, it is important to ask in detail about their menstrual history, including whether they have had any intrauterine procedures. For instance, some women may experience reduced menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea after undergoing late-term abortions, multiple childbirths, diagnostic curettage, or abortion surgeries. At this time, it is essential to consider whether there are any uterine factors, such as intrauterine adhesions that could cause these symptoms. Besides affecting menstruation, these conditions can also lead to infertility in women. A hysteroscopic examination can be performed for diagnosis. Additionally, some women might exhibit these symptoms without any abnormal medical history; in such cases, the causes could be endocrine disorders or primary dysmenorrhea.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can I drink milk tea if I have menstrual cramps?

It is generally not recommended to drink milk tea during menstrual cramps. This is because milk tea contains some caffeine, and drinking caffeine during menstrual cramps can easily induce anxiety and irritability in women, which aggravates the symptoms of menstrual pain. It also consumes some of the energy stored in the body and affects metabolism. Additionally, tea contains tannic acid, and during menstruation, when a woman's blood hemoglobin levels are low, drinking milk tea can hinder the absorption of iron from food, which can exacerbate anemia. Furthermore, some dairy products in milk tea, such as cream, cheese, and cultured milk, can disrupt the balance of trace elements in the body and are factors that aggravate menstrual cramps. Therefore, it is not advised to drink milk tea during menstrual cramps.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does dysmenorrhea cause infertility?

The causes of dysmenorrhea are divided into primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. In primary dysmenorrhea, women do not have organic pathological changes in the reproductive system, and it usually does not affect normal pregnancy. Secondary dysmenorrhea is often caused by organic pathological changes in the reproductive system, such as submucosal fibroids, adenomyosis, ovarian endometriomas, etc. These conditions can change the internal environment of the pelvic and uterine cavities, affecting various aspects such as the implantation of the fertilized egg, thus impacting normal pregnancy. Therefore, when a woman is diagnosed with secondary dysmenorrhea, it is important to identify the cause of the pain and provide appropriate treatment to avoid affecting future normal pregnancies.