adminHELLO there again, folks, I hope you are all enjoying the rains. Sorry to all those who have to walk to work or back home in the rains, I know how it feels especially when some rough driver speeds past you and goes into a pothole or through a puddle splashing your with mud. Hey wena! Shame….Today, I am going to talk to ladies about something that many women write to me complaining about – menstrual pains. It is a horrible thing to be a woman who experiences this each month. So I thought I would try and explain to you what this is all about and see if we can help with alleviating the pain.
Menstrual pain is also known as menstrual cramps or period pains, or on a medical note – dysmenorrhoea. Almost all women suffer from dysmenorrhoea at one point of their life. Although this is a common problem, it can be related to certain medical complications in some and sometimes just stress.
In medical terms, painful menstruation is called dysmenorrhoea. Cramps are experienced in the stomach and pelvic region during menses. However, one should note that this pain is not similar to the pain experienced during premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Dysmenorrhoea usually follows the symptoms of PMS.
The pain during menstruation can be mild or severe. At times, women complain of unusual heaviness in their stomach.
In some women, the pain is so severe that it makes daily activities difficult. I have known school girls who have to stay at home because of heavy and painful periods.
There are two types of dysmenorrhoea, primary and secondary dysmenorrhoea. The common menstrual pain and cramps experienced by a majority of women is called as primary dysmenorrhoea. These cramps are recurrent and 90% adolescent girls and about 50% women suffer from it. The pain is experienced in the lower abdomen region, back, pelvic region as well as thighs. Cramps and pain last for about 2 to 3 days during menstruation. This pain usually begins about a year after a girl begins with her monthly cycles. One may also experience nausea and vomiting, fatigue and diarrhoea along with the cramps.
Severe pain during menstruation due to some underlying condition causes secondary dysmenorrhoea. This pain usually occurs in only some women who are suffering from a medical condition affecting their reproductive health. The pain usually occurs before the menstruation starts and lasts longer than primary dysmenorrhoea.
Most women say that there is really not much they can do when they experience this pain because it is so severe. Some women say that they have to take double the amount of pain killers and even that does not work. Others say that simply sleeping it always is the remedy. My thinking and in my experience is that the best cure is prevention.
There are things we can do as women in the days leading up to your menstrual cycle that may help alleviate the pain or discomfort to a tolerable standard.
Caffeine (coffee) is bad news I promise you. Stay away from coffee and other things with caffeine during the days leading up to your period. For some of you this is impossible, but it is worth it. Spices, curries, chillies, etc, are also bad news at this time.
Salt is a no-go area. If you must have some put it in the food whilst cooking, but not after you have dished your plate. Exercise is a great help before your period actually begins, it helps relieve stress and balances your hormones out during that time.
Another great remedy which I learnt as a little girl and use it to this day is to lay a hot water bottle on top of your tummy or the area where the pain is most. Obviously you will have to put a cloth or something over your skin first to stop yourself from being burnt. The heat has an amazing effect on the tummy, believe me.
Basically I would say go as bland in your food and beverage intake as possible. This is not the time to indulge yourself. You will not die if you remove a few things from your normal diet for two or three days.
However, when all is said and done, if you are suffering from severe menstrual pain, it would be wise to visit your nearest medical practitioner for tests and advice.
Anastasia can be messaged on 0772933845.
Online Reporter