What causes menstrual cramps?

Written by Li Lin

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Updated on November 25, 2024

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Dysmenorrhea is divided into primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to menstrual pain that occurs without organic lesions in the uterus. It is caused by the increase of prostaglandin levels in the body during menstruation, which stimulates uterine contractions. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by organic pathological changes in the uterus itself, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and pelvic inflammatory disease, which stimulate uterine contractions and lead to lower abdominal pain during menstruation.

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Written by Shen Li Wen

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 9sec

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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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Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

41sec

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What should I do if menstrual cramps are very painful?

In cases of severe menstrual pain, it is crucial to strictly keep warm and to avoid eating or touching cold items. You can also opt for heat therapy, such as using a hot water bottle on the lower abdomen or soaking feet in hot water. This can quickly relieve contractions and spasms of the uterine smooth muscle, and swiftly ease the symptoms of painful menstruation. Some people’s menstrual pain is related to inflammation, and others might suffer from conditions such as adenomyosis or endometriosis. These cases require regular check-ups and treatment.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong

Obstetrics and Gynecology

1min 26sec

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Causes of Dysmenorrhea

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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Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

51sec

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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.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua

Obstetrics and Gynecology

47sec

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How to treat dysmenorrhea?

If menstrual pain is severe, initial treatment can often include heat therapy, such as using a hot water bottle or applying a warm bottle to the abdomen, and soaking feet in warm water. Heat therapy generally provides quick relief from the spasm of smooth muscles, and alleviates pain. Menstrual pain is primarily caused by the contraction and spasm of smooth muscles. In severe cases, painkillers may be necessary, but they can potentially harm the stomach and have other side effects, so they are generally not the first choice. To manage menstrual symptoms, it is important to keep warm before and during the menstrual period, avoid getting chilled, maintain regular exercise, and work on improving overall physical health.