menstrual cramps and its causes

Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are dull, throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, it can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month.

Menstrual cramps may be caused by identifiable problems, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Treating the underlying cause is key to reducing the pain. Menstrual cramps that aren't caused by some underlying condition tend to lessen with age and often disappear once a woman has given birth.

Symptoms of menstrual cramps include:

• Dull, throbbing or cramping pain in your lower abdomen
• Pain that radiates to your lower back and thighs

Some women also experience:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Loose stools
• Sweating
• Dizziness

When to see a doctor

If you've started menstruating within the past few years and are experiencing cramps, chances are your menstrual pain is not a cause for concern. However, if menstrual cramps disrupt your life for several days a month or if you're older and just started experiencing severe menstrual cramps, see your doctor.

Causes

During menstrual periods, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Hormone-like substances (prostaglandins) involved in pain and inflammation trigger the uterine muscle contractions. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.

Many experts believe that severe contractions constrict the blood vessels feeding the uterus. The resulting pain can be compared to the angina that occurs when blocked coronary arteries starve portions of the heart of food and oxygen.

Menstrual cramps also may be caused by:

• Endometriosis. In this painful condition, the tissue that lines your uterus becomes implanted outside your uterus, most commonly on your fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining your pelvis.
• Uterine fibroids. These noncancerous growths in the wall of the uterus rarely may be the cause of pain.
• Adenomyosis. In this condition, the tissue that lines your uterus begins to grow into the muscular walls of the uterus.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This infection of the female reproductive organs is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.
• Cervical stenosis. In some women, the opening of the cervix may be so small that it impedes menstrual flow, causing a painful increase of pressure within the uterus.