Synonyms
- Dysmenorrhea
- Painful menstruation
- Periodic complaints
- Menstrual cramps
Definition
Menstrual pain (medically: dysmenorrhea) is pain that occurs immediately before and during menstruation (menstruation). A distinction is made between primary and secondary menstrual pain. Primary menstrual pain is caused by the menstruation itself, secondary menstrual pain has other causes, e.g. some diseases of the female reproductive organs manifest themselves through painful menstruation.
Menstrual pain is one of the most common gynaecological (gynaecological) complaints. More than two thirds of all women suffer from menstrual pain at some point in their lives, often from the first appearance of their menstrual period. Young girls and women are particularly affected; with increasing age or after the first pregnancy, the period pains often improve. If menstrual pain occurs for the first time after the end of puberty, other causes for the pain can also be considered. Common causes of such so-called secondary menstrual pain are infections and inflammation of the uterus, ovaries/fallopian tubes or benign tumors of the uterus.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of menstrual cramping include cramp-like (colicky) pain in the abdomen, which can occur even before the onset of menstruation. In addition, many women suffer from it: Diarrhea is also a possible symptom, since the contraction of the uterus to push off the mucous membrane also stimulates intestinal movement (peristalsis). “.
Some women also suffer from mood swings, a sad basic mood or reduced resilience. Increased water retention, especially in the legs and breasts, and the resulting tension and painful skin are also common.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Abdominal pain
If the menstrual pain has been present since the first period, it is usually primary menstrual pain (primary dysmenorrhea).
The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient’s medical history (anamnesis), the type and severity of the period pain, as well as its timing. In addition, a gynecological examination is performed, during which the female reproductive organs (uterus, vagina, ovaries and breasts) are palpated. If the menstrual pain is not directly related to menstruation but has other causes (secondary menstrual pain), further diagnosis is necessary.
Depending on the suspected diagnosis, this may include blood sampling, abdominal (through the abdomen) or vaginal (through the vagina) ultrasound examinations, radiological imaging in the form of computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI or nuclear spin), hysteroscopy (examination of the uterus with a camera) or diagnostic laparoscopy (examination of the lower abdomen with an endoscopic camera). With these examinations, fibroids of the uterus or endometriosis (spreading of uterine lining to other parts of the body) can be ruled out. Endometriosis in particular is present with a frequency of up to 10 percent in the female population and is therefore a frequent cause of menstrual pain.
