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 Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if I experience menstrual pain and vomiting?

The factors causing dysmenorrhea are complex and often include exposure to cold, mental stress, or conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis, which can lead to elevated levels of prostaglandins. This increase in prostaglandins causes excessive contraction of the uterine smooth muscles during menstruation, leading to local ischemia and hypoxia, and resulting in pain. This pain is usually spasmodic and can cause nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. When these symptoms occur, pain relief should be the first priority. Additionally, it is important to avoid excessive tension, maintain mental relaxation, and avoid exposure to cold.

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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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What should I do if the menstrual pain is very severe?

If women experience severe dysmenorrhea, they should first undergo routine examinations to rule out organic lesions, which are the possibility of secondary dysmenorrhea. For example, we should initially conduct gynecological examinations, pelvic ultrasounds, or combine other auxiliary examinations such as pelvic CT and MRI scans to rule them out. Some women may suffer from conditions such as endometrial polyps, ovarian chocolate cysts, or uterine fibroids, leading to severe dysmenorrhea. The treatment methods vary depending on the different causes. For instance, if a woman has endometrial polyps, hysteroscopic electrosurgical resection of the polyps can be performed. If it has been ruled out that the woman has organic lesions of the reproductive system and the possibility of secondary dysmenorrhea, it is possible that she has primary dysmenorrhea. She can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs orally during menstruation to relieve the pain, or regularly take short-acting contraceptive pills to suppress ovulation and alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is the cause of having many blood clots during painful menstruation?

During the menstrual period, the appearance of dysmenorrhea and more blood clots is often due to blood stasis within the body. Some Chinese patent medicines that invigorate the blood and dispel stasis can be used for conditioning. Additionally, some Chinese medicinal ingredients can be used for treatment. It is appropriate to consume some goji berries and longan, which have the effects of invigorating blood, dispelling stasis, and promoting blood circulation. These can greatly help in reducing excessive menstrual blood clots. Normally, drink more water and pay more attention to exercising. Avoid sexual intercourse during the menstrual period. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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.