Why do women have to feel pain during their periods?

Answer 1

Some background + info, including therapies --

Derived from the Greek words dys, meaning “difficult,” meno, meaning monthly, and rrhea, meaning “flow,” dysmenorrhea is the term used to describe painful menstrual cramping.

Almost all menstruating women experience some cramping during their periods, referred to as either primary dysmenorrhea, which refers to "normal" menstrual pain, or secondary dysmenorrhea, which arises as a result of an underlying disease or disorder. The condition is among the leading complaint in women who present to their physicians for gynecologic pain. More than half of all menstruating women have pain associated with menses, and studies have shown that dysmenorrhea is one of the most common reasons women miss work and/or school. Nearly 10% of women with the condition are incapacitated for up to three days each month[1].

"Normal" menstrual cramps occur in almost all women due to the release of hormones known as prostaglandins. These are hormones produced by the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), which cause the uterus to contract, sometimes quite painfully, in order to expel the menstrual debris. Some women produce higher levels of prostaglandins than others, so they may hurt more. Increased prostaglandin production can also cause the distressing gastrointestinal symptoms some women may experience. Primary dysmenorrhea most commonly occurs within a few years of menarche (a woman’s first period), while secondary dysmenorrhea can occur years after the onset of menarche.

Pain with primary dysmenorrhea usually begins on or about the first day of a woman’s period and can last up to 72 hours. In a woman with secondary dysmenorrhea, she may have painful symptoms occurring a week or more prior to her period and lasting even after her flow has stopped. In the case of a woman who has secondary dysmenorrhea, there are other reasons for her pain, including diseases or conditions like Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, cervical stenosis, structural abnormalities in the vagina or uterus itself, fibroids, or similar concern.

Dysmenorrhea can be diagnosed based on symptoms, patient history, physical findings, and when appropriate, diagnostic tests such as vaginal or pelvic ultrasound, hysteroscopy (an examination of the inside of the uterus) and/or hysterosalpingogram (an evaluation of the uterus and fallopian tubes). In cases of secondary dysmenorrhea, laparoscopic surgery can be very beneficial at affording a diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause. Symptoms often include painful pelvic or abdominal cramping, headache, suprapubic cramping (an area of the pelvis overlying the bladder), backache, pain radiating down into the thigh area, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea and even syncope (a temporary of consciousness). Upon physical exam, those with primary dysmenorrhea exhibit normal vital signs and a tender uterus, but no cervical or ovarian abnormalities. Patients with secondary dysmenorrhea may exhibit varied vital signs depending on the underlying cause and may be found to have tenderness, nodules, and/or enlargement of the uterosacral ligaments, the rectovaginal septum or other adnexa (the region of the pelvis that encompasses the ovary, fallopian tube and surrounding broad ligament).

Treatment options are based on the underlying cause of the pain (primary v. secondary dysmenorrhea) and range from medical to alternative therapies. Commonly, Non-Steroidal Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen may be recommended to help with cramping, and more recently, COX-2 inhibitors have also been approved for treatment of dysmenorrhea. Prescription painkillers may also be recommended where appropriate. Combination (ethynylestradiol and progestin) oral contraceptives can also help reduce prostaglandin production, thereby alleviating the cramps. Heating pads can also offer temporary resolve of the pain. Avoidance of smoking (which has been shown increase cramps) and reduced intake or total avoidance of salt, sugar, high fat and dairy products, alcohol and caffeine can also afford relief, as can increasing the intake of fiber, calcium and complex carbohydrates. Recent studies also indicate that Vitamin B6 complex, calcium and magnesium supplements, and Omega III fatty acids (fish oil supplements) also may help relieve cramping. Pelvic massage, exercise (which releases endorphins, the body’s own natural painkillers), Yoga (the cat stretch and the pelvic tilt), visualization techniques, aromatherapy, acupuncture and herbs like Dong Quai, Ginseng, Stragalus root, Ligusticum root and White Peony root are also said to be helpful alternative techniques for managing the pain.

If Endometriosis or another disorder is the underlying or secondary cause for dysmenorrhea, you will benefit most from having the disease diagnosed and effectively removed. It is important to determine if the cramps are "normal," or if they could be due to another cause. Pain that is crippling or incapacitating is never normal and should be investigated as soon as possible so that appropriate diagnosis and subsequent treatment can be rendered.

Reference:
[1] Jamieson DJ, Steege JF. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and irritable bowel syndrome in primary care practices. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87(1):55-58.

Answer 2

When your body finds out you didn't get pregnant during ovulation, it realizes it no longer needs the lining it build up in the uterus. You start having contractions to slough off all the nutrient-rich lining. The lining comes out (your period) and the contractions can hurt (cramps).

These are the same contractions, albeit usually milder, that push out a baby if you have one... so there is really no way around it, except a couple Tylenol and a heating pad.

Answer 3

The pain you feel is your uterus contracting when you have your period to push out the uterus lining when a egg isn't fertilized. These same contractions happen when you are in labor birthing a child. I don't know why really we have to feel pain, but just think something wonderful one day will come from it.

Answer 4

I'd like to answer this question...but first a couple questions of my own here.

Who was the female in your life who gave you the information about puberty, menstruation, sex, etc.???

Now think a bit about how that woman personally relates to these issues herself. Is she just as active physically and emotionally not stressed out during her menses? OR...Has she portrayed this part of our maturing process as being something foreign, to be dreaded, painful, to hide with??? Or has she portrayed this as something as quite natural and nothing to dread each month?

As long as you're asking why...I think as much of the pain and annoyance comes from the ingrained ideas given to us/them/you erroniously by some adult who was just unaware of the impact her negativity could/would have.

I'm a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and just never had the time nor the inclination to "poor me" while on my menses and _I never had the pain or great discomfort either._ It was just something natural to me, as I'd been told by my own granny.

Now something more to think about, Ladies, is how will you approach and deal with your own menopause? Will you have the hot flashes and the sweats at the oddest of times?

I'm 72 and well past all of this, and I'm happy to say that I believe you don't have to have any of the awful symptoms so many complain of...I was told (by my big sister who was negative anyway) that menopause was awful and about all the negative things that occur. Well, I had right then made up my mind that this wasn't the way I wanted my life to be, nor would I put up with all the hot flashes and sweats she'd complained about.

Long story short, I didn't have any of these symptoms and am well past the menopause.

What I mean to say, Ladies, is that this might just be a case of mind over matter. It's all in how you "think" and "believe" it is. I've never taken hormone replacements either (don't believe in them). I'm not here bragging, just explaining my answer to your questions, is all.

If you're just beginning your menses, please try to talk yourself out of any negative thinking about menstruaton. It may well save you many "out-of-it" days now and give you many good and healthy days later when it comes time to leave it all behind.
Good luck. Remember you can control your own body...It's the MIND THAT DOES IT!

Answer 5

From my understanding when I was in school, the "cramps" we feel during "that time" are small contractions- really small. You gotta figure that the lining has to come out, 'cause that's what the cycle is for. Now, if there is worse than that kind of pain, please see a dr. about it asap, it could be endremetriosis. Take care.

Answer 6

Uterine fibroids are usually not dangerous, but can cause immense discomfort and lead to complications like anemia from heavy blood loss. In rare cases, they may cause complications that affect pregnancy.

In cases where there are no symptoms, treatment may not be necessary. However, proper diagnosis and treatment may be required if your symptoms are severe or causing complications. Along with conventional treatment, you can try some natural home remedies. Read here https://tr.im/w0c0f

Answer 7

sounds wierd but it is your muscles tighting up and pushing trying to get all the unnesarry mess out of there trust me use the pain you feel as an advantage i used to have really bad cramps then when i had my daughter the contractions were just like my menstural cycle pushed out an 8 lb girl no pain killers just do like i did heating pads hot baths and lots and lots of midol

Answer 8

So..
There are various factors that underlie the real cause of uterine fibroids. There are primary causes that contribute to the development of the fibroids in the uterus, and then there are secondary causes that contribute to the aggravation of these present fibroids. There might even be external factors like, emotional upheavals, which disrupt the normal balance of the body and make you vulnerable to such diseases.

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Answer 9

Don't know why but taking Evening Primrose oil help to reduce the pain.

Answer 10

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Answer 11

It is the womb contracting. It is totally unfair and really hurts some people. Men should have some equvilent pain every month, cos they get off too lightly!