Prophylaxis
A healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grain products and unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. gamma linolenic acid in safflower oil) can prevent symptoms such as water retention, cramps and nausea and mood swings. A restful sleep and lots of exercise in the fresh air provide relaxation and have a mood-lifting effect. Both have a positive effect on the feeling of pain and discomfort, and sunlight has a very positive effect on the basic mood, especially in winter. Smoking and alcohol can intensify the symptoms and should be avoided, especially before and during menstruation. A contraceptive pill can also be taken as a preventive measure, but then smoking should be avoided completely, as thromboses or pulmonary embolisms can occur if the contraceptive pill is taken at the same time.
Prognosis
For most women, the primary menstrual pain improves after puberty, but for many it disappears completely. Even after a pregnancy, many women notice an improvement from previously felt stronger menstrual pain. If the menstrual pain has other causes such asB. an endometriosis or fibroids of the uterus, the prognosis depends on the treatment of the respective underlying disease.
Summary
Menstrual pain is pain that occurs before and during menstruation. A distinction is made between primary menstrual pain, which is caused directly by menstruation, and secondary menstrual pain, which has another cause, e.g. a disease of the female reproductive organs. Almost all women suffer from menstrual pain at some point in their lives.
It usually manifests itself in young women and decreases or disappears completely with age. If menstrual pain occurs for the first time at an advanced age or after the menopause (menopause), the patient should be examined by a gynaecologist, as it is a potentially serious disease that may be the cause of the symptoms. Menstrual pain can be treated with medication, herbal medicine and general measures and can be greatly reduced.