Painful Menstruation: How to Act and When to Consult Specialists

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Three out of eight women experience menstrual pain at some point during their cycle. And three out of twenty suffer severe menstrual pain that can be disabling in some cases.

Are you one of the many women who suffers from painful menstruation or dysmenorrhea? It is important to know that, while it is relatively common, it is not always normal. Therefore, it is important to identify when it is advisable to consult gynecological specialists about your painful menstruations.

At DYTAS, we are committed to menstrual well-being and health and will also give you some tips to help relieve pain and feel better during those moments.

When to Consult Specialists for Painful Menstruation

When, besides menstrual pain, vaginal discharge at different times of the cycle (not menstrual bleeding) has a strong, abnormal, and unpleasant odor. This may be due to infection or another gynecological problem.
When pelvic pain is accompanied by fever, especially high fever.
If you have severe menstrual pain and have had an IUD implanted for less than three months.
If during menstruation you pass blood clots, especially if they are the size of a twenty-cent coin or larger.
When menstrual pain persists for one or several days after the end of bleeding.
When the pain is disabling and prevents you from continuing your daily tasks or activities.
When accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Whenever you have doubts about your painful menstruations. Consulting a gynecologist once a year is a healthy practice that helps better understand your condition and prevent potential intimate health problems.
If you suffer from menorrhagia along with painful periods.
If you have severe cramps in the lower abdomen during menstruation that suddenly worsen and feel paralyzing.
When good habits and analgesics or other medications prescribed by your doctor do not relieve the pain.

Painful Menstruation: How to Act

If menstrual pain is moderate or you are not in the situations above, these tips will help you feel better.

Adopt Healthy Habits That Help Strengthen Your Body and Prevent Problems That Cause Painful Menstruation

Keep in mind that one possible cause of menstrual pain is hormonal imbalance. Healthy lifestyle habits contribute to the normal functioning of the endocrine system.

Exercise regularly. Physical activity helps take care of your health and improve endocrine system status.
Try to sleep at least 8 continuous hours each day.
Take care of your diet and maintain a healthy body weight. It is important that the diet is balanced, appropriate for your nutritional needs, age, health, and physical activity level.
Avoid consuming harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco.

Take Care of Your Drinking and Eating During Painful Menstrual Bleeding Days

Avoid heavy meals. It’s better to eat smaller amounts more frequently than large amounts once or twice a day.
Drink warm beverages that comfort you and help you feel better.
Avoid eating due to anxiety or to not think about the pain. It won’t help relieve it and can have negative health consequences.

Pamper Yourself During Painful Menstruations to Gain Well-being and Relieve Pain

While sitting or lying down, place a heat pad or hot water bottle on the lower abdomen. It’s an easy and natural way to relieve mild to moderate menstrual pain.
Relax the muscles in the area by giving yourself a gentle circular massage on the lower abdomen with your fingertips without pressing too hard.
Adopt a posture that helps reduce pain intensity or even completely relieve it. Try lying down with your legs slightly elevated on a large cushion. Another recommended posture is lying on your side with your legs bent toward your belly.
A hot shower or bath can help reduce pain. Check if you feel better, but don’t repeat it more than once a day to avoid breaking the skin’s natural protection barrier.
Create a calm environment to help relax body and mind. Sometimes it helps reduce pain intensity and prevents your mind from going over the situation. Thermal comfort, absence of noise, and avoiding overly bright lights help generate a relaxing atmosphere.

Other Tips to Feel Better If You Suffer from Dysmenorrhea or Painful Menstruation

Entering a state of relaxation helps some people feel less pain. Practicing yoga or other mind-body connection disciplines can help when menstrual pain appears.

A good idea is to start practicing outside painful days so that in pain situations you can resort to relaxation techniques to help you feel better.

And remember that taking medication against menstrual pain should never be done on your own. Self-medication is not recommended. Consult your primary care doctor to see if it is appropriate to take any analgesics to reduce the intensity of menstrual pain, and in which cases it is appropriate or inappropriate to use such medications. Consider the doctor’s indications about the dosage and frequency of use.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003150.htm

https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20220513/8264127/menstruacion-dolorosa-sufren-10-15-mujeres.html

https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/periodpain.html

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dismenorrea

https://www.fesemi.org/informacion-pacientes/conozca-mejor-su-enfermedad/dismenorrea

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/es/326360#diagnostico-y-tratamiento