Why does a stomach ache with menstruation: what to do?

The concept of dysmenorrhea is associated with a painful menstruation syndrome. With her, a woman is bothered by pain in the lower abdomen. The intensity of pain can be of a very different nature. More than two-thirds of women experience moderate pain. But 10% of all cases account for severe pain.

Characteristic of the symptom complex

The main symptom is the presence of pain. They precede the onset of menstruation and occur 10-12 hours before they appear. They are most pronounced in the early days. Then the intensity gradually begins to decline. How severe the pain will be depends on the age of the woman and the presence or absence of a concomitant pathology. But pain is not the only manifestation of dysmenorrhea. It is characterized by the presence of other manifestations:

1. Manifestations of the digestive tract. It's about nausea and vomiting. Similar phenomena are observed in approximately 84% of all the fair sex.
2. Diarrhea accompanies a woman in 80% of all cases.
3. According to statistics, about a quarter of all women accompany dizziness.
4. The statistics for fainting and headaches are distributed approximately equally. They account for 14% and 15%, respectively.

A woman suffers from dysmenorrhea emotionally. With a depressed consciousness, any woman expects a period of menstruation. By the nature of the pain during menstruation can be very different and depend on the individual characteristics of each woman individually. Pain can be observed in the place where the bladder, ovaries, intestines are projected. There are pains in the lumbar region. It can have the character of contractions or manifest itself in another way.

Characterization of the degrees of dysmenorrhea

Division is purely arbitrary. In this regard, the following degrees of severity of menstrual pain are distinguished:

1. Easy degree. The most harmless option, since it does not in any way affect the degree of activity and work capacity of a woman. Such pains are tolerated quite easily and do not require correction with the use of painkillers.
2. Moderate severity. Mild pain occurs. They appear against the background of general weakness, nausea, and a depressive state. A woman simply does not tolerate pungent odors. Urination becomes more frequent. Hyperacusis phenomena (excessive reaction to sounds) may join.
3. Severe manifestations. The pain is unbearable. It is localized in the lower abdomen. Manifestations of tachycardia become apparent. The general condition of a woman suffers, up to a pronounced loss of strength. Able to join chills and the development of fainting conditions.

Types of disease

Dysmenorrhea can be primary and secondary in nature. The first option is observed in those girls who have never given birth in their life. If childbirth has already taken place, then they speak of the occurrence of secondary dysmenorrhea.

Characterization of the primary type of disease

It can exist in two forms:

Adrenergic dysmenorrhea. This species is characterized by frequent constipation and intolerable headache. The temperature may rise, sleep disturbance, heart palpitations may occur. Objective signs can also be noted. The skin takes on a bluish tint. This condition is caused by vasospasm.

Parasympathetic dysmenorrhea. Body temperature drops, nausea and vomiting appear.Bradycardia may occur, allergic reactions develop, diarrhea join. The face becomes puffy, limbs swell. A woman can even gain weight.

Both types are based on a malfunction that occurred in the hormonal background. In the first version, the first violin is played by adrenaline, norepinephrine and dopamine, in the second case, the palm belongs to serotonin. Primary dysmenorrhea should not be considered as an independent disease. It is only a manifestation of the underlying diseases. The following pathology can be attributed to them:

1. Congenital tissue diseases of a congenital nature. More than half of all cases are associated with genetic dysplasia of connective tissue structures. Painful menstruation is not the only symptom. The condition may be accompanied by scoliosis, flat feet, myopia. Varicose disease and digestive tract problems can occur. In adolescence, individuals with this condition have flexible joints, elongated limbs. Blood biochemistry is able to determine the lack of magnesium.
2. Pathology of a nervous nature and related diseases. If a girl suffers from a neurosis, then her pain may intensify. Pain arising from menstruation in such individuals is more intense.
3. The presence of a uterine bend, congenital malformations of an organ, or a symptom of a uterus With this pathology, the outflow of blood is impaired. The uterus, trying to cleanse itself of blood, is forced to contract much more often, and this, in turn, causes intense pain.

It should be noted that primary dysmenorrhea associated with congenital pathology is quite difficult to give therapeutic correction. Often, after a woman gives birth, pains go away. After the birth of a baby, there is no longer that intensity of pain during uterine contraction.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

It usually occurs in women older than 30 years. In another embodiment, pain can occur after childbirth. For this type, a moderate form is more characteristic. Because of this, a woman's disability may be impaired. In addition to pain, the following manifestations occur:

1. Disorders of the autonomic nervous system, manifested by flatulence, nausea, hiccups.
2. Vegetative-vascular disorders in the form of dizziness, headaches, numbness in the legs, loss of consciousness. Often a rapid heartbeat joins.
3. Neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is manifested by irritability, the development of depressive states. The function of olfactory and taste buds may be impaired.
4. Violations of the endocrine plan. They are expressed in weakness, joint pain, skin itching

Unpleasant sensations a woman constantly pursued. She experiences them even while having sex. In this case, without delay, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive comprehensive examination.

Important! If during a sex a woman is haunted by pain, then this is an occasion to immediately consult a gynecologist for advice.

The causes of secondary dysmenorrhea are acquired diseases. The following pathologies can be attributed to them:

• Infectious process, the presence of inflammatory and adhesive changes.
• Uterine oncology of a malignant and benign nature.
• Varicose veins of the pelvic organs.
• Conditions associated with endometriosis.
• Pelvic neuralgia.

The following factors can act as provoking agents:

• Abortion surgery, implantation of a contraceptive spiral.
• Complicated childbirth performed using cesarean section.
• Non-observance of regimen moments, frequent overwork, stressful situations.

Treatment

All activities begin with a diagnosis. A gynecologist is involved in the correction of these conditions. It should be addressed to a woman.Important in the diagnosis of such conditions is an ultrasound examination of the uterus and bladder. It is possible that consultation with a neuropsychiatrist and a number of other specialists with a narrow profile will be required. Treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea is carried out in parallel with the correction of the underlying disease.

Drug therapy
In primary dysmenorrhea, hormonal contraceptives are administered. With their help, prostaglandins can be reduced. Along with this, the symptoms of dysmenorrhea decrease.

They struggle with pain with antispasmodics. Purpose shown:

• drotaverine hydrochloride;
• papaverine.

With the help of these drugs, the smooth muscles of the uterus relax and the intensity of the pain decreases. Antispasmodic drugs are prescribed in combination with analgesics. Appropriate will be the appointment of:

• baralgin;
• spazgan;
• tempalgin.

Folk methods
Do not forget about traditional medicine. A good helper in such conditions will be peppermint, raspberry leaf, chamomile, ginger root, which can be brewed and consumed as tea. The use of infusions of soothing herbs such as valerian and motherwort is shown.

You can use alternative methods. This includes a hot dry compress, a heating pad on the abdomen, the use of contrast baths. This will help eliminate cramping. You can take warm baths with aromatic oils. Swimming lessons are helpful. This sport promotes the production of endorphins, which have an analgesic effect.

Prevention

Preventive measures are associated with compliance with regulatory issues, nutrition correction, physical education and sports. Foods that are high in caffeine should be excluded from the diet, and salt intake should be limited.

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