Period pain is common and a normal part of your menstrual cycle. Most women get it at some point in their lives. It's usually felt as painful muscle cramps in the tummy, which can spread to the back and thighs. The pain sometimes comes in intense spasms, while at other times it may be dull but more constant.
Period cramps can be annoying or painful, but not everyone experiences uncomfortable menstrual symptoms. If you don't get period cramps, you shouldn't be concerned. An absence of discomfort could be a sign of a healthy period.
It is important to seek care, to be specific about symptoms, and to insist on help. Severe period pain can be a warning sign of another medical condition, so it is important to get prompt care.
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 length of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman, but the average is to have periods every 28 days. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 23 to 35 days, are normal.
Drinking a lot of coffee
This is one of the worst things you can do when you're menstruating! High caffeine content can exacerbate your pain and also contribute to breast tenderness. You might crave caffeine but you will definitely need to reduce the intake of coffee.
“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.
The bleeding tends to be heaviest in the first 2 days. When your period is at its heaviest, the blood will be red. On lighter days, it may be pink or brown. You'll lose about 20 to 90ml (about 1 to 5 tablespoons) of blood during your period, although some women bleed more heavily than this.
Usually, menstrual bleeding lasts about 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood lost is small (2 to 3 tablespoons). However, women who have menorrhagia usually bleed for more than 7 days and lose twice as much blood.
Unlike the female reproductive system, boys do not have uterus and thus menstruation cannot occur. Therefore, it is biologically impossible for boys to have periods. However, boys during puberty may undergo mood swings or other emotional changes due to changing levels of the male sex hormone testosterone.
Problems with the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other reproductive organs—Certain defects that a woman is born with can result in pain during menstruation. Other conditions—Some medical conditions can flare up during a period and cause pain. These conditions include Crohn's disease and urinary disorders.
Unusually heavy bleeding (soaking through a sanitary pad or tampon every hour for two to three hours) or passing large clots (larger than a quarter). Foul-smelling vaginal discharge. A period lasting longer than seven days.
Menstrual blood is known to be a very good fertilizer since red gold contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Simply use the soaking water from your Mme L'Ovary panties or the blood collected by your menstrual cup. Menstrual blood is a KEY element even in the life cycle of our fruits.
On total, one to seven normal sized pads or tampons per period are normal.
During your menstrual period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormonelike substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more-severe menstrual cramps.
It is thought that hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle (fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels) affect the mood of women and trigger negative emotions such as anger and irritability.
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is when a girl has emotional and physical symptoms that happen before or during her period. These symptoms can include moodiness, sadness, anxiety, bloating, and acne.
Sometimes, irregular periods can be caused by some medicines, exercising too much, having a very low or high body weight, or not eating enough calories. Hormone imbalances can also cause irregular periods. For example, thyroid hormone levels that are too low or too high can cause problems with periods.
Healthy cardio and workout routines can help lighten your period. Exercising also alleviates cramps and bloating because it pumps you up with happy chemicals and lessens water retention. Working out may also reduce the length of your period because stronger muscles help your cycle function faster.