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 Li Li Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How long does it take for ibuprofen to work for menstrual pain?

Dysmenorrhea refers to lower abdominal pain and a sense of heaviness around or during the menstrual period, accompanied by back pain or other discomforts. If dysmenorrhea occurs, taking ibuprofen can relieve the symptoms significantly within about 20 to 30 minutes. Drinking a bowl of hot brown sugar water during menstruation can also promote smoother menstrual flow and relieve pain. During menstruation, it is advisable to eat less spicy and stimulating food, as well as fewer cold fruits, vegetables, etc., and to maintain appropriate rest. Consume more warm foods and supplement with high-protein, high-calorie diets.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How to alleviate menstrual pain: little tips

For women with dysmenorrhea, it is recommended to maintain sufficient sleep and rest, apply a hot water bag on the abdomen or use heating pads for relief. During dysmenorrhea, drinking warm water, brown sugar water, or ginger sugar water can be helpful. Additionally, avoiding raw, cold, and spicy foods can alleviate the symptoms. Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disease characterized by pain in the lower abdomen, a sense of heaviness, backache, and other physical discomforts before and during menstruation, significantly affecting the patient's quality of life.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How should people with cold-induced dysmenorrhea regulate their condition?

Patients experiencing cold-induced dysmenorrhea can firstly apply a warm towel to the lower abdomen, which can effectively help treat the pain caused by a cold uterus. They can also soak their feet in hot water every night to promote blood circulation and accelerate metabolism, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. It is also important to keep warm and avoid getting cold. Engaging in physical exercise can effectively add some heat as well as help expel the cold from the body and increase resistance. Drinking ginger soup, which has the effect of expelling cold, can also be beneficial.

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Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to regulate menstrual pain caused by a cold uterus?

For menstrual pain due to a cold uterus, the commonly used gynecological formula "Wen Jing Tang" is typically selected. Wen Jing Tang is a standard formula for regulating menstruation and is generally used for cold uterus and painful menstruation due to a deficiency-cold in the Ren and Chong meridians with blood stasis. Its main ingredients include Evodia, Ophiopogon, Cinnamon Twig, Angelica, Chuanxiong, Peony, Moutan Bark, Donkey-hide Gelatin, Ginseng, Licorice, Pinellia, and Ginger. If there is severe cold pain in the lower abdomen, Moutan Bark and Ophiopogon are removed and Artemisia leaves are added, or Cinnamon is used instead of Cinnamon Twig to enhance the effect of dispelling cold and relieving pain. If there is abdominal distension, Cyperus and Lindera are added.