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What a pain!

By Dr Kedar Padte on November 20, 2017

Mild abdominal cramps are common during menses, but many women experience severe pain. Here’s why

When her Class 7 pupil began missing class every month, the teacher was visibly upset. The young girl was always a bright face, always agile, alert, chirpy, and intelligent with mischief beaming in her eyes. She had never missed school in five years and was suddenly missing for a couple of days each month. She was was shocked to learn that her little 12-year-old star had started menstruating with such painful periods, that she could lose consciousness!

Dysmenorrhea (or painful periods) is a common phenomenon these days and can be incapacitating enough to cause loss of studying or working hours for a few days each month.

There are two types of dysmenorrhea:

Primary dysmenorrhea

These are commonly known as menstrual cramps, are recurrent, and do not have an underlying pathology. The pain generally begins at the time of bleeding and stops within 12 to 72 hours.

The uterus must contract to shed its endometrial lining. If the internal opening of the uterine cavity, or OS, is too narrow, the uterus will contract more than usual to expel the blood clot and cause severe pain.

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