How to Treat Menstrual Cramps or Dysmenorrhoea?

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Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhoea) are curable. Your physician may offer certain medications to relieve your pain. Sometimes, you may need surgery, if medications do not work well. Some home remedies and lifestyle changes also help manage the condition.

Medications

The following medications are considered for women with dysmenorrhoea.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs help relieve pain during your menstruation. Menstrual cramps occur due to a type of chemical substances called prostaglandins, which are secreted by the lining of the uterus (endometrium) during the menstruation. NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins and lessen the effect. Your physician may recommend taking OTC (over-the-counter) NSAIDs like Naproxen or Ibuprofen. It should be started as regular doses at the day before your menstrual period to begin. Sometimes, he or she may offer prescription NSAIDs like Mefenamic acid. Aspirin is usually less effective. You normally need to continue NSAIDs for a couple of days. However, physicians recommend avoiding NSAIDs, if a woman has bronchial asthma, bleeding disorders, liver damage, Aspirin allergy, stomach ulcers, or certain stomach disorders.

Birth control methods

Certain hormonal contraceptive methods are widely used to manage dysmenorrhoea. They contain female hormones like progestogens and oestrogen. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), hormonal patch, vaginal ring, birth control implant, hormonal injection, and intrauterine device may help treat dysmenorrhoea. These hormones prevent ovulation and lessen the severity of dysmenorrhoea.

If you have dysmenorrhoea due to endometriosis, hormonal birth control methods may help relieve pain. Sometimes, your physician may offer a medication called the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (such as Nafarelin and Leuprolide), which suppress the functions of your ovaries. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists or GnRH-A) may cause certain adverse effects like hot flushes, bone loss, and vaginal dryness. Those medications usually are offered for a short period of time. They are unsuitable for teenagers. However, physicians may recommend them for teenagers with severe dysmenorrhoea, which doesn’t relieve with other medications.

Alternative treatments

Certain treatments such as Vitamin E, magnesium supplements, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), and Vitamin B6 may be helpful, but there is little evidence. Acupuncture therapy has been proved to be somewhat useful in relieving menstrual cramps.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be helpful to manage menstrual cramps. It increases the nerve threshold for pain as well as the release of the natural painkillers called endorphins (endogenous morphine), secreted by certain parts of your brain (pituitary gland and hypothalamus).

Surgery

If other treatment options do not relieve menstrual cramps or if dysmenorrhoea occurs due to an underlying condition like fibroids or endometriosis, surgery may be required.

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