overview
Experiencing a painful period is one of the most common dilemmas all women face. The monthly cycle that can blur the lines of good reproductive health can – on occasion – produce pain, cramps, fatigue, and discomfort that disrupt everyday living. Pain may be mild, however extreme levels of pain during a period, called dysmenorrhea, can indicate that there may be an underlying health concern, such as a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis or fibroids. The majority of women do not seek medical care and generalize the extreme pain with the menstrual cycle and does not consider this a medical concern. Symptoms related to painful periods, however, can survive having extreme levels of discomfort, and still remain a medical concern. Recognizing the immediate issue contributing to the pain may ultimately help determine which treatment process is needed, if applicable, moving forward for recovery. At God’s Grace IVF & Fertility Center, our providers give compassionate care through advanced methods of treatment to help women address menstrual pain and fertility issues better.
What Are Painful Periods?
Dysmenorrhea, a painful period, entails severe cramps and pain that build up before or during menstruation. Painful periods are one of the most common menstrual disorders affecting the daily lives and emotional health of women. Painful periods usually occur when the uterus contracts more forcefully than is needed to shed the lining, leading to feelings of lower abdominal pain, backache or nausea. There are two types of painful periods:
Primary dysmenorrhea: is common in younger women and is caused by natural hormonal change.
Secondary dysmenorrhea: includes conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and pelvic infections.
If your painful period feels worse with time or is accompanied by heavy bleeding, please seek help from a medical professional. At God’s Grace IVF & Fertility Center our specialists will help find the source of your pain, and offer individualized solutions to manage your pain and improve your reproductive health.
Common Causes of Painful Periods
Painful menstruation can be caused by several underlying health conditions affecting the uterus, ovaries, or hormonal balance. Understanding the causes can help women obtain timely treatment for their condition and prevent complications. Below, we outline the most common reasons for experiencing a painful period:
Hormonal Imbalance: Prostaglandins can build up in the bloodstream and subsequently triggers the uterus to contract stronger, leading to more intense cramps.
Endometriosis: A condition in which uterine tissue is found growing outside of the uterus which can leading to severe pain and infertility issues.
Uterine Fibroids: Noncancerous growths that may cause menstrual cramps to be heavier and more painful.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An Infection in the reproductive organs that can worsen period pain.
Adenomyosis: Tissue that usually lines the uterus begins to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus.
Stress and Poor Lifestyle: Lack of exercise, overeating of unhealthy foods, and emotional stress can exacerbate a painful period.
If your painful period is frequent and interferes with your routine, it might be time to see a specialist. At God’s Grace IVF & Fertility Center, our team of specialists led by Dr. Roshi Satija can help you with diagnosis and treatment of menstrual disorders, in addition to your fertility issues.
Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore painful period
Although mild cramping is not unusual, experiencing certain symptoms during a painful period can signal an underlying health issue that requires medical attention. Do not ignore any of the following indications:
– Severe abdominal cramping that lasts more than three days.
– Excessive menstrual bleeding with blood clots.
– Cramps that shoot to the back or thighs.
– Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.
– Extreme fatigue or mood changes that affect daily life.
– Irregular cycles, or spotting between periods.
Symptoms of painful periods that persist or intensify because of severe abdominal cramping could indicate a condition, like endometriosis, fibroid or pelvic infections, et cetera. Ignoring these warnings may result in infertility or chronic pain. Contact God’s Grace IVF & Fertility Center to see Dr. Roshi Satija. She will assess your concerns and work with you to regain comfort and optimal hormonal balance.
Medical Treatments for Painful Periods
If making lifestyle changes and utilizing home remedies aren’t relieving your symptoms, medical treatments can be effective at treating both a painful period, and its underlying causes. The type of medical treatment will depend on how painful your symptoms are, and if you have any reproductive or other conditions associated with your symptoms.
Doctors may prescribe pain-relief medicine such as NSAIDs, which can decrease cramps and inflammation during your menstrual period. If the cause of the painful period is due to hormonal imbalances in your cycle, doctors may prescribe birth control pills or hormonal therapy to regulate your cycle and decrease the chances of painful menstruation. Women diagnosed with fibroids, endometriosis or adenomyosis may be advised to have either a Laparoscopy or minimally invasive surgery with the intention to remove any abnormal tissue and promote comfort.
If you suspect you have fertility problems that are causing the painful periods, your doctor may recommend more advanced options such as IVF or IUI to promote conception. At God’s Grace IVF & Fertility center, Dr. Roshi Satija and her connected team of experts specialize in the most effective and latest reproductive technologies to provide individualized care for your journey. They will work to discover the root cause of your painful period symptoms and develop a treatment plan to promote long-term relief and hormone balancing.
Painful Periods and Fertility Connection
Experiencing painful periods, called dysmenorrhea, can sometimes mean more than just discomfort; it can indicate a more serious underlying fertility issue. Women with severe menstrual pain may have conditions such as endometriosis, common uterine fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease, which may negatively impact ovulation and men’s reproductive health. It is important to understand the relationship between painful periods and fertility, especially for couples trying to conceive. Pain or persistent menstrual pain should not be ignored, as a diagnosis and treatment can positively affect fertility. Painful periods do not always affect fertility, but studies show that in women with chronic pain, these difficulties conceiving may occur if the underlying health conditions are left untreated. A fertility specialist can help couples determine the causes of painful periods and offer treatment options like medications, minimally invasive procedures, or changes in lifestyle. Keeping track of painful periods can be an important first step in protecting reproductive health and planning for parenthood in the future.
When to Visit a Fertility or IVF Specialist
Couples facing challenges in becoming pregnant, or conceive, should consider seeing a fertility or IVF specialist if they are having regular, unprotected intercourse, then do not conceive within 12 months, and if the woman is over the age of 35, then after 6 months. Additional factors to consider include painful periods, irregular cycles, or if known reproductive conditions are present, such as having PCOS, endometriosis, or a male factor, such as low sperm count. Consulting an expert in fertility or IVF specialist early, not after exhausting other avenues, helps identify any potential causes that are related to fertility or reproductive health that could be treated. The sooner a couple is evaluated for potential treatment of their underlying causes, more potential options available to treatment, and increase likelihood of successful conception, therefore, it is important that interested couples understand to seek a visit to a fertility or IVF specialist when necessary.
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