Why does adenomyosis cause dysmenorrhea?

Written by Xu Xiao Ming
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on June 10, 2025
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Patients with adenomyosis primarily exhibit significant dysmenorrhea as a clinical symptom, which is related to the pathological factors of the disease. The cause of adenomyosis is the ectopic placement of the endometrial tissue into the muscular layer and glands of the uterus. Due to this displacement, with each menstrual period, the changes in the body's estrogen levels affect the ectopic endometrial tissue, causing the production of substances similar to menstrual blood. This results in the enlargement of the uterine cavity and the hardening of the uterus, contributing to the pathologic types of adenomyosis and resulting in painful menstruation. It is recommended that patients with adenomyosis seek medical examination and treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Li Li Jie
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why does it not hurt when lying down during menstrual cramps?

Dysmenorrhea is generally caused by a cold uterus or catching a cold, which can be alleviated by lying down to press and shape the abdomen, thus reducing the pain. During menstruation, it is important to rest more and avoid vigorous activities, getting cold, and consuming raw, cold, or spicy foods which are irritating. Do not drink cold water, but use a hot water bottle to apply heat to the abdomen. One can seek treatment in hospitals or Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics for a diagnosis to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis through medication. During menstruation, women should not take baths or cold showers as it can easily harm physical and mental health, and it is also important to maintain vaginal cleanliness and hygiene. Additionally, attention should be given to getting more rest and eating nutritious foods.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Why do I have scanty menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea?

When women experience reduced menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea, it is important to ask in detail about their menstrual history, including whether they have had any intrauterine procedures. For instance, some women may experience reduced menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea after undergoing late-term abortions, multiple childbirths, diagnostic curettage, or abortion surgeries. At this time, it is essential to consider whether there are any uterine factors, such as intrauterine adhesions that could cause these symptoms. Besides affecting menstruation, these conditions can also lead to infertility in women. A hysteroscopic examination can be performed for diagnosis. Additionally, some women might exhibit these symptoms without any abnormal medical history; in such cases, the causes could be endocrine disorders or primary dysmenorrhea.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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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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Does dysmenorrhea affect pregnancy?

Whether dysmenorrhea affects pregnancy cannot be generalized. Dysmenorrhea can be divided into primary dysmenorrhea, which is physiological, and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to cases where there are no pathological changes in the female reproductive organs, and the pain is solely due to uterine contractions during menstruation, commonly seen in adolescent girls. Moreover, conditions such as adenomyosis, severe uterine fibroids, and endometriosis can also cause pain and are associated with changes in the uterus, which can affect pregnancy. However, primary, functional dysmenorrhea generally does not impact the ability to conceive. Thus, whether dysmenorrhea affects pregnancy depends on the specific circumstances.

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Can you drink coffee when you have menstrual cramps?

While drinking coffee does not significantly exacerbate menstrual pain, it can lead to excessive excitability and affect nerve functions. Moreover, too much coffee can cause stomach discomfort. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink coffee during periods of menstrual pain. Instead, it is advisable to drink more brown sugar ginger tea or eat easily digestible food, which helps in rapid recovery of the condition and is very beneficial in alleviating menstrual pain. During menstruation, it is also important to avoid cold foods.