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

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on February 27, 2025
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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
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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.

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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 Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Is dysmenorrhea a disease?

Obvious and severe dysmenorrhea is also considered a disease. Even if physical examinations do not reveal any abnormalities, simple cold uterus or straightforward dysmenorrhea are recognized as diseases. It is advisable to routinely undergo physical examinations to identify causes related to dysmenorrhea. For instance, some people suffer from dysmenorrhea due to pelvic inflammation, others due to complications with intrauterine devices, and some can be diagnosed with conditions such as adenomyosis or endometriosis, which cause progressive dysmenorrhea symptoms.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What causes menstrual cramps?

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 Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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How to regulate dysmenorrhea for those with a cold constitution?

For dysmenorrhea related to a cold constitution, the first approach can be to adjust the cold constitution through traditional Chinese medicine. Second, massaging or applying moxibustion to acupoints can also regulate a cold constitution. For example, moxibustion on Sanyinjiao, Yinlingquan, and Yanglingquan can help alleviate and regulate a cold constitution. Third, through medicinal diet therapy, one can regulate their condition by eating warm-natured foods more often while avoiding cold and icy foods. In everyday life, it's also important to keep warm and avoid being in cold places for extended periods, and to pay attention to nutrition enhancement before menstruation.