Menstruation is a natural part of a woman's healthy monthly cycle. Periods are typically painless, but women may experience some discomfort from cramps that vary in intensity. What causes menstrual pain, and how can it be prevented?
Periods normally start (
menarche) at some point during puberty, usually between the ages of eleven (11) to fourteen (14), and end (
menopause) when a woman reaches her fifties (50s). Menstruation is the body's way of releasing blood and tissue that are no longer needed for conception.
At the beginning of the cycle, the hormone estrogen increases as it prepares the lining of the woman’s uterus (endometrium) for a possible pregnancy. The lining thickens, and an egg grows before being released (
ovulation) from one (1) of her two (2) ovaries. The released egg travels through the fallopian tubes and attaches itself to a woman's uterus.
Following ovulation, a hormone called
progesterone is produced to prepare the endometrium lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg. Progesterone keeps the endometrium "stable," priming it to receive a fertilized egg.
When an egg is not fertilized and pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels plummet. The drop in hormone levels prepares the endometrium to shed, which causes uterus contractions. Eventually, this hits a level that signals the body to begin menstruation.
Periods last between four (4) to five (5) days. The time between periods averages 28 days, but some women may experience longer times between their periods. Some may also bleed either for fewer or more days and still have what can be considered "regular" periods.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) also occurs a few days before periods, with intensity level varying from person to person. Some common symptoms experienced by women before menstruation may include a dull constant ache in the lower abdomen, bloating, mood swings, food cravings,
acne growth, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, and breast pain.
The level of discomfort women experience during their periods can range from tolerable cramps to extremely debilitating pain. Menstrual pain generally falls under primary dysmenorrhea, which is caused by raised
prostaglandin levels.
Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions. These contractions squeeze and cramp up the uterus, which makes the lining come off its walls. This process may cause varying levels of pain in menstruating women.
As with many other biological processes, some conditions may promote menstrual pain. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a different condition in a woman's reproductive system like any of the following:
Period pain can sometimes be debilitating, but preventive measures and treatments can ease the discomfort.
Period cramps that disrupt daily activities and cause debilitating pain can be extremely draining. Being sure of the pain's underlying cause is always best because one can never be too sure about its seriousness.
Reach out to
Makati Medical Center's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for accurate diagnosis, proper management, and treatment of conditions related to the female reproductive system.