Unfortunately, it is possible for women to experience worse period pain as they grow older, especially in their 30s and 40s. The unbearable pain can come along with other symptoms such as irregular periods, pain during sex, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is the less common type of cramps and is caused by a medical condition like an infection, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts. These menstrual cramps often worsen with age and can last for the entire duration of your period.
The pain tends to get worse over time and it often lasts longer than normal menstrual cramps. For example, the pain may begin a few days before a period starts. The pain may get worse as the period continues and may not go away after it ends. What are some causes of secondary dysmenorrhea?
“Estrogen is the dominant hormone before ovulation, and progesterone becomes the dominant hormone after ovulation.” So it's natural for pain and symptoms to vary from one cycle to the next as levels of these hormones fluctuate.
Doctors think that the main cause is an increase in the amount of prostaglandins in your womb (uterus) around the time of your period. Prostaglandins are chemicals that cause the muscles of your womb to tighten. This tightening of the muscles can temporarily reduce the blood supply to your womb, which causes pain.
During menstruation, chemicals called "prostaglandins" form in the lining of the uterus. They cause muscle contractions in the uterus, which can trigger pain and decrease blood flow and oxygen to the uterus. Similar to labor pains, these contractions can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Periods can get heavier and more painful for some women after the age of 40. Sometimes it is a nuisance and sometimes it is a cause for concern.
“When the uterus is deprived of oxygen, it releases chemicals that may trigger the pain such as prostaglandins which increases uterine contractions. This type of period pain usually occurs during the second day of your period and is termed as Dysmenorrhea,” adds the expert.
So does being on your period burn more calories or not? Typically, no. While experts largely agree that resting metabolic rates fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, the change is negligible.
Perimenopause can begin in some women in their 30s, but most often it starts in women ages 40 to 44.
Perimenopause is a process — a gradual transition. No one test or sign is enough to determine if you've entered perimenopause. Your doctor takes many things into consideration, including your age, menstrual history, and what symptoms or body changes you're experiencing.
The average length of perimenopause is about four years. Some people may only be in this stage for a few months, while others will be in this transition phase for more than four years. If you've gone more than 12 months without having a period, you are no longer in perimenopause.
Overview. Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.
Mild to moderate cramps for one or two days during your menstrual cycle is usually normal. But many women experience painful and intense menstrual cramps that can feel debilitating and interfere with everyday activities and exercise.
Since the production of progesterone and estrogen could occur in shorter intervals and higher surges, really painful periods in your 40s may mark the beginning of perimenopause. However, there's no reason to be too desperate as the cramping will get less severe as you're nearing menopause.
Make sure you have clear facts to state your case. It is much more effective to have facts and figures, rather than vague statements. Be specific and direct. For example, it may be better to say “I have had to take 5 days off in the last 6 months due to menstruation” rather than “I've struggled with my periods”.
Underlying medical conditions, like fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can cause period cramps so bad you can't move. Severe period cramps might: Affect movement. Keep you home from school or work.
Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps. Unlike false labor contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions, true labor contractions don't stop when you change your position or relax. Although they may be uncomfortable, you'll be able to relax between contractions.
Often your doctor can make the diagnosis of perimenopause based on your symptoms. A blood test to check hormone levels may also help, but your hormone levels are changing during perimenopause. It may be more helpful to have several blood tests done at different times for comparison.
Your GP can usually confirm whether you are menopausal based on your symptoms, but a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you're aged 40 to 45. Blood tests may also be carried out to help diagnose suspected premature menopause if you're under 40 and have menopausal symptoms.
If you have a persistent change of seven days or more in the length of your menstrual cycle, you may be in early perimenopause. If you have a space of 60 days or more between periods, you're likely in late perimenopause.
The time immediately before menopause is known as perimenopause. Perimenopause occurs during the 40s for most women, but some notice changes as early as their mid-30s. Even before perimenopause occurts, women may expereince subtle changes in menstrual cycle length, duration and flow.