Dysmenorrhea

Most women experience dysmenorrhea at least in certain degree though the majority of them has never heard about dysmenorrhea. It is a medical term for menstrual cramps which are experienced just before or during menstrual period. The severity of menstrual cramps varies from one woman to another from a minor annoyance and discomfort to severe, disabling pain which can last for hours or even days.

Menstrual cramps are very common and are not cause for concern in most cases. Health experts are not exactly sure what causes dysmenorrhea but most of them attribute this common menstrual complaint to hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins which play the key role in uterine contractions during menstrual periods. Often very painful menstrual cramps are most common in teenage girls and women who never gave birth. The severity of menstrual cramps tends to reduce over years and often disappear completely after giving childbirth.

There are no sure ways to prevent menstrual cramps. Severe menstrual cramping is usually relived with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen as well as several home remedies.

In rare cases, dysmenorrhea can be caused by an underlying condition requiring medical attention. Please visit your doctor if being older and suddenly started experiencing painful menstrual cramps or if experiencing severely painful menstrual cramps that last for days.