Period Pain Specialist Brisbane Northside
Perhaps one of the most challenging experiences of womanhood in Brisbane is having a period and suffering the associated period pain. The good news is that seeing a medical specialist can help. Apart from the food cravings and the unwanted emotional outburst, women also experience pain before or during their menstrual cycle. At some instances, women would need to take pain relievers and miss school or work due to cramps. This condition is called dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea is usually felt at the lower belly or at the back and can range from mild to severe. The pain usually lessens once a woman bears her first child.
There are two kinds of dysmenorrhea – primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Between the two types, primary dysmenorrhea is more common. This is usually encountered by women 1 to 2 days before the start of the period and lasts from 2 to 4 days. Secondary dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, is a result of a medical problem. This usually causes pain before and during the menstrual cycle. Some medical conditions that cause secondary dysmenorrhea are endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, stenosis, and fibroid growth. All of which need medical attention, especially if the abdominal pain becomes unbearable.
What Causes Dysmenorrhea?
The abdominal pain caused by dysmenorrhea is brought about by the uterine contractions. During this time, the uterus tightens and allows blood to get discharged from the uterus. The uterine lining releases prostaglandins during the menstrual cycle, which causes heightened contractions during the first couple of days during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
What Are the Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea?
Apart from the cramping in the lower abdominal area and lower back pain, there are also instances when nausea, vomiting, digestive issues (loose stools or constipation), headaches, and light-headedness are experienced by women. These are side effects brought about by the contractions in the uterus.
How Can Period Pains Be Managed?
Mild menstrual cramps can be relieved by taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These are best taken as soon as bleeding or cramping begins. Hot compress, warm bath, and physical activities contribute to lesser menstrual cycle pains.
There will be instances when an obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyne) intervention will be needed. Any cramping that lasts for more than three (3) days should be consulted with the doctor. This can potentially be caused by another medical condition.
The ob-gyne will ask about the menstrual cycles and the symptoms experienced. A pelvic exam will also be conducted to examine the vagina and the cervix and may take a small sample of the vaginal fluid for testing. The ovaries and uterus will also be touched for physical examination and determine if there are any abnormalities.
In the event that the cramps are not due to the period, further tests would be requested to treat the reproductive issue.
Regardless of health condition, it is best to have the reproductive system checked by a specialist at least once a year.
At Ubuntu Medical, we also help with Gestational Diabetes.
