Can I take painkillers for menstrual cramps?

Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on December 18, 2024
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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.)

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 16sec home-news-image

What causes menstrual cramps?

Dysmenorrhea is generally caused by endometriosis in the majority of cases. If the endometrium is misplaced in the ovaries, it can form ovarian chocolate cysts; if misplaced into the myometrium, it can lead to adenomyosis, which generally presents with dysmenorrhea that tends to worsen over time. In most cases, this condition is considered to be caused by endometriosis. Additionally, the occurrence of dysmenorrhea should not exclude the possibility of being caused by a cold uterus. Patients with a cold uterus might experience lower abdominal pain and a cold lower abdomen during menstruation; in such cases, treatment can involve warming the meridians to dispel cold and using warming and pain-relieving medicines for symptomatic treatment. Moreover, if dysmenorrhea is caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis, there might be a large volume of menstrual blood accompanied by large blood clots during the bleeding process. Treatment in this scenario would involve using medicines that invigorate the blood, break up stasis, soften hardness, and disperse conglomeration for symptomatic management.

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Written by Huang Shuai
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does soaking feet in hot water work for menstrual cramps?

During menstrual cramps, soaking feet in hot water can promote blood circulation and somewhat relieve the pain. However, applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen is more effective as it raises the local temperature, which enhances local blood circulation and helps alleviate menstrual pain. The principle behind this is that the occurrence of menstrual cramps is due to an increase in prostaglandin levels in the blood during menstruation, leading to muscle contractions and even spasms, causing pain. Applying heat locally through methods like hot compresses can maintain high temperatures and promote blood circulation, facilitating the metabolism of prostaglandins and the relief of muscle spasms, thereby reducing or alleviating pain.

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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.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea

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.