The harm of dysmenorrhea

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 04, 2024
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Some women experience severe dysmenorrhea, where the pain can radiate to the root of the thigh, affecting their normal sleep and concentration during the day, which in turn affects their work efficiency. Some women experience such severe dysmenorrhea during their menstrual period that they even need to take leave from work to rest at home. Additionally, some women may suffer from secondary dysmenorrhea, which is linked to underlying diseases. For example, conditions like adenomyosis, endometriosis, and endometrial polyps can alter the internal environment of the uterine cavity and change its coagulation state, leading to increased menstrual flow. This can cause anemia due to blood loss and also affect normal pregnancy.

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Adenomyosis without dysmenorrhea

Some women with adenomyosis may not experience symptoms of dysmenorrhea, which is a relatively good scenario as it does not affect their quality of life due to the disease. It is recommended that patients regularly visit the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic at their local hospital for gynecological examinations, gynecological color ultrasound, and other related tests to monitor the occurrence and development of the disease. If the disease progresses and worsens, and clinical symptoms appear with the uterus gradually enlarging, then surgery may be necessary if surgical indications are met.

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Is dysmenorrhea a disease?

Dysmenorrhea is divided into primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstruation without organic lesions in the reproductive organs. It is mainly caused by an increase in chemicals during menstruation that stimulate uterine contractions and enhance vascular spasms, leading to uterine ischemia and hypoxia. This condition is not a disease, and relieving excessive tension can effectively alleviate the pain. However, if the pain is severe and unbearable, oral analgesics can be taken for symptomatic treatment. Secondary dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, is caused by organic lesions in the reproductive organs and is considered a disease.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
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Symptoms of dysmenorrhea

If you usually have regular periods and experience dysmenorrhea during menstruation, you should first compare it with your usual state. If the symptoms have worsened, you should consider whether this is caused by inflammation. Some people have adenomyosis and also often experience progressively worsening dysmenorrhea. In others, dysmenorrhea symptoms occur along with delayed menstruation, which is often related to pregnancy. Some experience dysmenorrhea symptoms related to exposure to cold or consuming cold foods. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an examination to clarify the situation.

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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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Can I take painkillers for menstrual cramps?

Patients with dysmenorrhea usually take painkillers when the pain is severe. Dysmenorrhea is generally treated with painkillers which relieve symptoms but do not address the root cause. If the pain during menstruation does not alleviate, it's not advisable to continually use painkillers. Therefore, before taking painkillers again, it is crucial to undergo relevant examinations to identify the cause of the dysmenorrhea. If the pain is caused by a cold uterus, it is advisable to take medicine that warms the meridians, dispels cold, and relieves pain, and to manage the condition regularly. If the dysmenorrhea is caused by stagnation of Qi and blood stasis, one can take medicine that activates blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and relieves pain before the onset of the next menstruation to properly manage the symptoms. Thus, severe pain can be managed with painkillers. For minor abdominal discomfort, observing the situation generally suffices. If dysmenorrhea gradually worsens, it is essential to visit a hospital for an ultrasound to check for endometriosis. Painkillers can be used during painful episodes of dysmenorrhea, but other times should be managed with appropriate medicines. (Please take medications under the guidance of a physician and do not self-medicate.)