Causes of Dysmenorrhea

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 20, 2024
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The general causes of dysmenorrhea include endometriosis or cold in the uterus, or stagnation of qi and blood stasis, all of which can lead to painful menstruation. Clinically, if dysmenorrhea is generally mild abdominal discomfort without affecting study or work, this mild dysmenorrhea is generally not a big problem. If dysmenorrhea shows a gradually worsening trend, it generally requires a visit to the hospital for a color ultrasound to check for endometriosis. If dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis is present, it will show a worsening trend and in severe cases, may include symptoms of nausea and vomiting, so this situation is generally caused by a displacement of the endometrial lining. Additionally, some patients may experience cold hands and feet, and cold abdominal pain during the painful menstruation, which is mostly considered to be caused by cold in the uterus. Furthermore, stagnation of qi and blood stasis can also lead to dysmenorrhea, typically presenting with blood clots during menstruation, where pain relief follows the discharge of blood clots, suggesting a high possibility of being caused by stagnation of qi and blood stasis.

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Can sexual activity alleviate dysmenorrhea?

Sexual activity can alleviate menstrual pain. The reason sexual activity can alleviate menstrual pain to some extent is that during the process of enjoying sex, the excitement of the cerebral cortex and the pleasurable sensations from the nervous system guide our body, thereby releasing some well-known hormones and chemicals. Having sexual activity a few days before the onset of menstruation can create a reserve of mental pleasure, putting the body in a relaxed state. This releases the muscle tension associated with the habitual fear of menstruation, so the pain during menstruation will not be as pronounced. Furthermore, sexual activity can promote indirect movement of the uterus, thereby regulating the flow of Qi and blood and improving the circulation of Qi and blood.

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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.

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What foods relieve menstrual pain?

You should pay attention to eating foods that warm the uterus and promote blood circulation, which can help alleviate menstrual pain. Such foods mainly include red dates and longan. If consumed in summer, you can appropriately add some lotus seeds to prevent heatiness, while in winter, you can add some goji berries. Additionally, you can eat some mutton and drink brown sugar water during your menstrual period. Usually, avoid cold foods, especially those taken straight from the refrigerator, as well as chilled drinks and cold desserts. Try to avoid spicy foods and abstain from smoking and alcohol.

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

When the symptoms of dysmenorrhea are very severe in women, it is important to actively search for the causes of dysmenorrhea. For example, routine gynecological examinations are conducted along with some relevant ancillary tests. For instance, vaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopic examinations, and blood tests for CA125, etc., are used to understand the causes of dysmenorrhea. If it is primary dysmenorrhea, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors can be taken orally during menstruation to relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Short-acting contraceptive pills can also be taken orally to inhibit ovulation and improve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. For secondary dysmenorrhea, women often have organic lesions in the reproductive system. For example, those with submucosal uterine fibroids or endometrial polyps often require surgical treatment. (The use of medicines should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Can I drink milk tea during menstrual cramps?

Dysmenorrhea primarily requires avoiding cold beverages. Milk tea can certainly be consumed as long as it's not too cold and you don't have a diet that leans excessively in any direction. Pay attention to not consuming too much to avoid conditions such as high blood sugar, high urine sugar, and high body weight. Dysmenorrhea mainly involves identifying the underlying causes. It's important to determine whether it is related to inflammation of the uterus, or conditions such as endometriosis or adenomyosis. Some cases of dysmenorrhea are simply due to what is known as a "cold uterus", which requires regular physical exercise to improve overall blood circulation and body constitution, gradually alleviating the symptoms of dysmenorrhea.