11 Symptoms of Menstrual Cramps, Treatment, Home Remedies, and Cure

Menstrual cramps are pains in the abdomen and pelvic areas experienced by women during a menstrual period.

Menstrual cramps are not the same as discomfort felt during premenstrual syndrome (PMS), although some symptoms can overlap. Many women suffer from both PMS and menstrual cramps.

Menstrual cramps can range from mild to severe. Mild cramps may be barely noticeable and of short duration.They are sometimes felt as a sense of heaviness in the abdomen. Severe cramps can be so painful that they interfere with normal activities for several days.

Symptoms of menstrual cramps:

1. Cramps usually begin before the onset of the menstrual period, peak within 24 hours after the onset of bleeding, and subside after a day or two.
2. Cramps are pains that begin in the lower abdomen and pelvis. The discomfort can extend to the lower back or legs.
3. Cramps can be quite painful or simply a dull ache.
4. Pain can be periodic or continuous.
5. Pain may be felt in the inner thighs or hips.

Menstrual cramps may be accompanied by a headache and/or nausea, and can sometimes lead to vomiting. They can also be accompanied by constipation or diarrhea due to the effect of prostaglandins on the intestinal tract. Some women may experience an increased urge to urinate.

Duration and causes of severe menstrual cramps:

Menstrual cramps are caused by uterine contractions that occur in response to prostaglandins and other chemicals. The cramping sensation is intensified when clots or pieces of tissue from the lining of the uterus pass through the cervix, especially if the cervical canal is narrow.

Women with menstrual cramps have elevated levels of prostaglandins in the endometrium compared to women without cramps. Menstrual cramps are very similar to the contractions experienced by pregnant women given prostaglandins to induce labor.

Dysmenorrhea, or painful periods, can be scientifically documented by measuring uterine pressure, contractions, and frequency. Women with dysmenorrhea experience higher pressure contractions that last longer and occur more frequently compared to normal periods.

Causes of menstrual cramps:

Each month, the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) builds up in preparation for pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, hormone levels decline and the lining is shed as menstrual flow. The breakdown of the lining releases prostaglandins, which cause uterine muscles to contract. Contraction of the muscles constricts blood supply to the endometrium, leading to tissue breakdown. The uterus then squeezes out the old tissue through the cervix and vagina. Leukotrienes, chemicals involved in the inflammatory response, are also elevated during this time and may contribute to cramping.

Factors contributing to severe menstrual cramps:

• An unusually narrow cervical canal
• A retroverted uterus
• Lack of exercise
• Psychological factors such as emotional stress
• Adenomyosis and endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids

Diagnosis of menstrual cramps:

Menstrual cramps affect an estimated 84% of women, with up to 25% describing them as severe. Teenage girls also commonly experience cramps.

Diagnosis is usually made by the woman herself based on her perception of pain. Diagnostic testing may be recommended if other conditions contribute to cramps.

Treatment for menstrual cramps:

Every woman needs to find a treatment that works for her. Possible remedies include rest, sleep, regular exercise, abdominal massage, yoga, and sexual activity. Applying a heating pad to the abdomen may provide relief.

Nonprescription agents such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and diuretics can help control pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective for moderate cramps. Prescription NSAIDs like mefenamic acid and meclofenamate are available for severe cramps.

If cramps are too severe to be managed with pain relief strategies, birth control pills or an IUD that releases levonorgestrel into the uterus can be prescribed. Surgery or endometrial ablation may also be considered in certain cases.

Treatment for secondary dysmenorrhea:

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the pain. Conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, adhesions, and the use of copper IUDs may contribute to menstrual cramps. A physician should diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment for these conditions.

If a woman experiences changes in her menstrual cramps, she should consult her physician, especially if the changes are sudden.

Prognosis for menstrual cramps:

Menstrual cramps usually do not worsen over time. Primary dysmenorrhea often diminishes with age and after pregnancy. The prognosis for secondary dysmenorrhea depends on successfully treating the underlying condition.

As women continue to learn more about their bodies and prioritize their health, menstrual cramps have become less debilitating and more of a minor inconvenience.

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