Premenstrual Symptoms
Most women, at some point in their lives, have experienced dysmenorrhea, the medical term for painful periods or menstrual cramps. There are two forms of dysmenorrhea --primary and secondary.
Primary
Primary dysmenorrhea frequently affects women in their 20s who have never had a baby. There is no medical cause for the condition, which may include symptoms of backache , diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of tenseness. These symptoms are caused by prostaglandin, a natural hormone produced by cells in the uterine lining, and they usually don't last very long--maybe one or two days.
Secondary
Secondary dysmenorrhea often affects older women and is generally caused by one of the following conditions: adenomyosis (uterine tissue growing into the uterine wall), endometrial polyps (growths in the uterine lining), endometriosis (uterine tissue that grows outside the uterus, in the ovaries and other locations), fibroids (growths in the uterus), pelvic inflammatory disease and the use of an intrauterine device (IUD).
Treatment
Treatments for primary dysmenorrhea include taking prostaglandin-inhibiting medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. The birth-control pill is another option, as it stops ovulation and decreases prostaglandin levels. Regular exercise can also help minimize pain and cramping.
To treat secondary dysmenorrhea, you must determine the underlying cause. To do this, your doctor may perform a pelvic exam, take an X-ray and ultrasound of the area or he or perform a dilation and curettage (D&C)--a minor surgical procedure that opens the cervix and removes tissue for testing.
