SYMPTOMS OF DYSMENORRHEA

Symptoms of menstrual cramps include:

• Throbbing or cramping pain in lower abdomen that can be intense
• Pain that starts 1 to 3 days before period, peaks 24 hours after the onset of period and subsides in 2 to 3 days
• Dull, continuous ache
• Pain that radiates to lower back and thighs

Some women also have:

• Nausea
• Loose stools
• Headache
• Dizziness

CAUSES OF DYSMENORRHEA

During menstrual period,uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more-severe menstrual cramps.

Menstrual cramps can be caused by:

• Endometriosis-The tissue that lines uterus becomes implanted outside the uterus, most commonly on the fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining pelvis.
• Uterine fibroids- These noncancerous growths in the wall of the uterus can cause pain.
• Adenomyosis- The tissue that lines the uterus begins to grow into the muscular walls of the uterus.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease-This infection of the female reproductive organs is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.
• Cervical stenosis-In some women, the opening of the cervix is small enough to impede menstrual flow, causing a painful increase of pressure within the uterus.

RISK FACTORS

One might be at risk of menstrual cramps if:

• Age is younger than  30
• Late started puberty early, at age 11 or younger
• Heavy bleeding during periods (menorrhagia)
• Irregular menstrual bleeding (metrorrhagia)
• Family history of menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)
• Smoking

COMPLICATIONS OF DYSMENORRHEA

Menstrual cramps do not cause other medical complications, but they can interfere with school, work and social activities.

Certain conditions associated with menstrual cramps can have complications, though. For example, endometriosis can cause fertility problems. Pelvic inflammatory disease can scar the fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of a fertilized egg implanting outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR DYSMENORRHEA

Homeopathy has a promising role to play in cases of dysmenorrhea. The medicines help to reduce the severity of the pain as well as to treat the cause, whenever possible. Every patient with dysmenorrhea may present with a different set of individual symptoms, which are carefully noted while deciding the homeopathic line of treatment. Homeopathic treatment is strongly suggested.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR DYSMENORRHOEA

CIMICIFUGA : Useful for cramping and pain that get worse as the flow increases.Useful for backache and neck pain with muscle tension.There is sharp pains like shocks that shoot upward, down the thighs, or across the pelvis.

COCCULUS : Mostly indicated when a woman has cramping or pressing pain in the pelvic or abdominal region, along with weakness or dizziness. Given to that women who has inclined toward headaches or nausea, and parts of her body can feel numb or hollow.There is worse feeling from standing up or from any kind of exertion and feeling better from lying down and sleeping are typical. (Cocculus is often indicated when a person has not been sleeping well and then feels weak or ill.)

MAGNESIA PHOS : Useful for painful cramps and pain in the pelvic region that are relieved by pressure and warmth.Given when periods may start too early, often with a dark or stringy discharge, and pain is usually worse on the right side of the body.Suited for that woman who is sensitive and inclined toward "nerve pain

COLOCYNTH : Useful to relieves abdominal and menstrual cramps which is improved by bending over, strong pressure and heat.

SEPIA : Very useful for painful, late or suppressed menstruation with a feeling that the pelvic floor is weak or as if the uterus is sagging.Suited to those woman who may feel irritable, dragged out, and sad,losing interest temporarily in marital and family interactions, wanting to be left alone.There is dampness, perspiring, and doing housework may aggravate the symptoms.

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