Between 50% and 90% of women of reproductive age experience painful periods at least once in their lifetime, which can stem from several different causes, notes Dr. María de los Ángeles Flores Manzur, a gynecology and obstetrics specialist at ABC Medical Center.
During menstruation, the body produces certain chemicals known as prostaglandins, which are linked to uterine contractions, commonly known as cramps, this is what triggers menstrual pain.
“Mexico’s Ministry of Health estimates that 50% of women have experienced dysmenorrhea (cramps or pelvic pain during menstruation) at some point in their lives.”
While cramps are common for nearly all women, when they become severe, they can affect a woman’s quality of life, sometimes making it difficult to leave the house or keep up with work or family responsibilities due to the intensity of the pain.
As the name suggests, the main symptom of this condition is pain, which typically begins two days before or right at the start of bleeding, gradually easing over the following 12 to 72 hours.
This pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen or pelvis and can also radiate to the back or thighs.
Dr. Flores notes that menstrual pain can vary from person to person, some women experience it continuously, while for others it comes and goes.
Other factors can make this pain more likely to occur, such as age (it’s most common during adolescence), as well as smoking or stress.
Finding the right treatment starts with identifying the cause. For pain that’s purely menstrual in origin, medication or heating pads to reduce inflammation may be enough.
However, if the pain stems from another underlying cause, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or uterine fibroids, the doctor will need to recommend additional, targeted treatment.
At ABC Medical Center’s Women’s Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
