Menstruation is a normal physiological process which occurs monthly in women of child bearing age. Menstruation is the stage in the menstrual cycle of a woman,during which the endometrium thickens in readiness to receive a fertilized egg and failure to this leads to a shed of blood which runs down the outer part of the body. Painful menstruation medically known as “DYSMENORRHEA" are periods in which a woman experience a crampy lower abdominal sharp or aching pain or possibly back pain which come and goes. Sometimes the pain makes it difficult for the lady to perform normal household jobs or school related activities for a few days during each menstrual cycle. The question is; is painful menstruation normal? " A lot of misconceptions have risen as a result of this. Some say it is caused by a curse. Others say it's a result of a small vaginal opening or orifice and have proffered solutions like premarital sex for the unmarried ladies in order to widen the “believed" small vaginal orifice. The truth is that most of these believes are false, because there are some married women, who have had sexual intercourse and have given birth to a good number of children (thereby enlarging the vaginal orifice or opening) but yet still have a fare share of menstrual pain. Survey shows that over 80% of adolescent girls experience menstrual pains. Painful menstruation falls into two groups (depending on the cause),they are: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is a menstrual pain that occurs around the time that menstrual cycle first begins in healthy young women this pain is usually not related to a specific problem with the uterus or other pelvic organs. Increased activities of the hormones “prostagladdin" which is produced in the uterus (womb), is thought to play a role in this condition. It is imperative to note that about 80% of painful menstruations seen in young girls is a result of the increased activities of the hormones; “prostagladdin", also note that this is normal physiological natural process. The following are some home care interventions which can help ladies relieve pains;
Eat light but frequent meals.
Take warm shower baths.
Walk or exercise regularly.
Keep your legs raised while lying down or lie down on your side with your knees bent .
Do light circular massage with finger tips around the lower belly area.
Drink warm beverages.
After using the home care interventions and pains remain severe medical attention can be sought for.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is the menstrual pain that develops later in women who have had normal periods and is often related to sexually transmitted infection;
Use of intrauterine device (IUD) made of copper
Fibroids
Pelvic inflammatory diseases
Stress and anxiety
We should note here, that secondary dysmenorrhea is not like the normal physiological menstrual pain seen in the primary dysmenorrhea.
In this type, there are underlying causes which “MUST" be treated in order to resolve this type of menstrual cramps thereby preventing its consequent complications.
I conclude by stating it clear that painful menstruations in ladies are mostly a normal natural physiological process not a caused by anyone but nature, hence artificial remedies like pre- marital sex, taking alcohol etc. will cause more harm than good .PLEASE BEAR IT OR MEET YOUR DOCTOR!