Treatment Options For Dysmenorrhea

Many people suffer from dysmenorrhea, also known as severe menstrual cramps. While dysmenorrhea is sometimes accompanied by heavy bleeding and clotting, it can occur with the individual is not experiencing profuse menstrual bleeding. Other symptoms that may occur in conjunction with dysmenorrhea are nausea, back pain, and diarrhea. If you suffer from unbearable dysmenorrhea, make an appointment with your gynecology physician. In the meantime, consider the following at-home treatment options to help relieve your symptoms.

Heat Treatment

A heating pad is very soothing to the abdominal and pelvic area when dysmenorrhea is present. It helps promote circulation and relax uterine contractions. Menstrual cramps are caused by strong contractions of the uterus and when interventions are implemented such as heat application, uterine contractions tend to be less severe.

Always set your heating pad to a lower setting to avoid burning your skin and when you go to sleep, turn the heating pad off. To boost the soothing effects of the heating pad, gently rub or massage your abdominal area to further enhance circulation and relax uterine contractions.

You can also reap the benefits of heat therapy by taking a warm bath. Not only can the warm bath water help ease menstrual cramps but it may also help those who experience painful vaginal contractions during their menstrual periods.

Naproxen Sodium

An over-the-counter medication that was once available by prescription only known as naproxen sodium is another effective remedy in treating dysmenorrhea. It is available under a number of brand names, however, when shopping for this medication, simply look at the label to see if the ingredients include naproxen sodium. This medication relieves severe menstrual cramps by inhibiting the production of chemicals called prostaglandins.

When prostaglandin release is blocked or inhibited, the pain from menstrual cramps and other dysmenorrhea-associated pain such as back pain may also subside. Most people can take naproxen sodium without any adverse reactions, however, some individuals may experience mild digestive symptoms such as stomach pain or heartburn.

If you experience digestive problems as a result of taking naproxen sodium, simply take it with food. Another medication that can inhibit the release of prostaglandins is ibuprofen. It is also effective in relieving symptoms of dysmenorrhea, and if taken a couple of days before the onset of your period, its effects on your menstrual cramps may be even greater. 

If you suffer from severe dysmenorrhea, visit a gynecology physician. While dysmenorrhea is considered a normal part of menstruation, it may indicate the presence of certain gynecological conditions such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids. When these conditions are recognized and treated properly, their prognoses are typically very favorable.