my little health column: DYSMENORRHEA

O•G Corner•••Coping With DYSMENORRHEA•••Pain of dys~ can be felt in the lower abdomen, lower back and even the legs. Usually, the pain commences shortly BEFORE or DURING the menstrual period, increases to its highest after 24 hours and decreases after about 2 days. 

Other symptoms can include:

-Nausea
-Headache
-Diarrhea
-Constipation
-Urge to urinate frequently
-Vomiting (emesis)

FACTORS INFLUENCING/CAUSING DYS~
-Excessively heavy menstrual flow (menorrhagia)
-Lack of exercise now recognized to contribute to painful menstrual cramps.
-Psychological factors (emotional stress can increase the discomfort of menstrual cramps)
-Positive family history
-Prolonged menses
-Earlier age at menarche
-Smoking
-Obesity
-Alcohol consumption
-Natural structural defects (as in retroverted uterus)

-TREATMENT/MANAGEMENT
-Adequate rest and sleep
-Exercise (Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, running, bicycling, and aerobic dances may diminish cramping symptoms)
-Yoga or abdominal massage
-Simple analgesics (painkillers) or onsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naloxen: A woman should start taking one of these medications before her pain becomes difficult to control. This might mean starting medication 1 to 2 days before her period is due to begin and continuing taking medication 1-2 days into her period. The best results are obtained by taking one of the NSAIDs on a scheduled basis and not waiting for the pain to begin.

NB: Nothing takes the place of a visit to your doctor. Hope this helps a bit.