Period cramps a thread #MenstrualHygieneDay

Period cramps can be more painful than the heart attacks, according to some experts. People who suffer from heart attacks experience mild pain. Whereas 40% women don’t experience any pain while having heart attack.

On the other hand 80% women experience menstrual cramps at some point. During menstrual period, the uterus contracts to help expel its lining.Chemical called prostaglandins help the uterus contract and relax so the lining can detch and flow out of the body.

Prostaglandins are necessary for uterine contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract more strongly. As a result, the blood supply to the uterus is momentarily shutdown depriving the uterus muscles of oxygen and causing severe cramps & pain.

According to gynaecologists the cramps are more comparable to labor pain. There are two types of period pains primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is most common type of period pain where there’s no underlying condition that affects the uterus.

Symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea include pain in lower abdomen before & after menstruation period other include nausea,vomitting,sweating,dizziness,headache & diarrhoea.

The pain interferes with the daily life of around one in five women. Yet there has been little research into how to treat it, signs that could point to more serious condition are often missed.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by an underlying condition like endometriosis, fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium grows outside uterus and it usually involves ovaries or the fallopian tubes. This misplaced tissue will grow, thicken & breakdown just as the normal endometrium does during menstrual cycle.

This condition may cause extremely painful periods during bowel movements. It could lead to problems with infertility.

Women also suffer emotionally due to these cramps. About 75% of menstruating women suffer from symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) that includes tiredness, back pain and headaches.

It’s not fully understood why women experience PMS (premenstrual syndrome) but it may be because of fluctuations in their hormone levels,

The basic purpose of this thread is awareness and support for women suffer physically and emotionally due to these conditions.