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Painful periods: how can I relieve them? Causes and advice

It's common knowledge: menstruation hurts! But why does it hurt? What are the reasons behind the menstrual pain that affects 50-80% of women? How can they be relieved? Are they a sign of a more serious problem? We'll try to answer all your questions in this article.

Contents

What are painful periods?

Menstruation lasts between 2 and 7 days every month for several decades. That's no mean feat. Over all these years, the sensations experienced with each cycle can vary in severity.

Also known as dysmenorrhea, painful menstruation is caused by contractions of the uterus. It's an abnormal menstrual disorder, so to better understand it, let's take a quick look at how menstruation works:

  • During the cycle, the uterus prepares to receive an embryo. The inner lining, the endometrium, thickens;
  • If fertilization does not occur, the endometrium is expelled - the blood of menstruation;
  • To allow expulsion of the endometrium, the uterus contracts. These contractions are painful. They are triggered by hormones: prostaglandins.

Painful periods can be primary or secondary:

  • Primary: during adolescence. During the first cycles, the amount of prostaglandins secreted by the body may be too high, causing severe pain. This phenomenon is unpleasant, but generally not serious;
  • Secondary: period pains appear later, after several cycles. This may be the sign of a problem, so it's best to consult a doctor or gynecologist to find the cause of painful periods.

My periods are painful: is this normal?

As explained above, period pain is not uncommon. They are caused by the uterus contracting to eliminate the endometrium. So it's normal... to a certain extent. If the pain is so intense as to become incapacitating, it's not normal. You need to see your gynecologist.

What are the symptoms of painful menstruation?

In addition to period pain, there areother symptoms to watch out for. If you experience them, see your doctor to make sure they're not a sign of a more serious problem:

  • Severe pelvic pain in the lower abdomen, which may radiate to the back, perineum, abdomen or rectum;
  • Nausea ;
  • Vomiting;
  • Very severe menstrual cramps ;
  • Spasms ;
  • Headaches;
  • Iron anemia;
  • Pain during sexual intercourse, known as dyspareunia.

    What causes painful periods?

    Painful menstruation is caused by contractions of the uterus by prostaglandins, but it can haveother, more worrying sources.

    They may be the sign ofgenital infections, such as a yeast infection, or ofunsuitable hormonal contraception.
    They can also be caused by polyps in the uterus or ovarian disorders.

    In the most serious cases, painful periods can be caused by endometriosis. This disease is characterized by the development of uterine mucosa in places where it shouldn't be: the fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina, bladder or abdominal cavity.

    How can painful periods be relieved?

    In most cases, there are solutions to relieve painful periods. You can even choose between medicated or natural methods.

    Natural methods

    A hot-water bottle is a must-have for relieving pain, as the heat relaxes the muscles of the uterine wall, which are particularly strained. You can also try relaxation or meditation exercises to work on your breathing. Contrary to popular belief, sport is a great ally. It helps maintain mobility, as well as tissue elasticity. Finally, diet plays a key role. We recommendavoiding refined sugar, caffeine andalcohol during menstruation. Instead, we recommend taking vitamins, magnesium and calcium.

    Taking medication

    To soothe period-related pain, you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. We recommendavoiding aspirin. It thins the blood and therefore encourages bleeding. Another solution is to take or change pills. Some pills are uninterrupted and "suppress" menstruation. This means no more uterine contractions, and therefore no more pain.

    When should I consult a doctor about painful periods?

    If your period becomes very painful, even though you've been menstruating for several years, you should consult your doctor. The same goes for other symptoms. Listen to your body, and don't wait too long if you have the slightest doubt.

    Remember that you should visit your gynaecologist once a year fora check-up. Even if there's nothing to worry about, an examination will confirm that all is well.

    What's the difference between painful periods and endometriosis?

    Endometriosis affects around 10% of women in France. Learning to recognize the different symptoms is the key to diagnosing endometriosis as quickly as possible and treating it as effectively as possible.

    Symptoms of endometriosis

    Although menstrual pain is not necessarily a cause for concern, there are a number of signs that may point to endometriosis:

    • Cyclical or even systematic pain;
    • Resistant to analgesics;
    • They prevent you from going about your daily life (getting out of bed, going to work, going to school, seeing your loved ones...).

    Endometriosis isoften accompanied by very heavy periods. There may also be bleeding outside the period.

    Diagnosing endometriosis with a gynecologist

    To find out if you have endometriosis, you need to see a gynecologist. He or she will carry out a number of tests to find out. In particular, he or she may prescribe an ultrasound or MRI scan for a complete work-up. It's often by eliminating all other possible causes that the diagnosis of endometriosis is confirmed.

    Endometriosis is often detected late. While there are no definitive treatments for endometriosis, the same methods of relief used for painful periods are valid. Sometimes, surgery is performed to remove excess uterine lining.

    How to manage blood loss during painful periods?

    Painful periods are common, at least during part of the menstrual cycle. However, if the pain is particularly severe or worsens, you should consult your doctor. They may be the sign of an infection or a disease such as endometriosis.

    For maximum comfort during painful periods, rely on menstrual pants. They offer optimum comfort, so you don't have to worry about aggravating the pain. What's more, several models are available in a variety of sizes and in 3 flows: light, intermediate or heavy.

    For every Elia menstrual panty purchased, we donate part of the profits to an association fighting endometriosis.

    Our tips for relieving painful periods!

    To help you combat painful periods, here are a few remedies and methods to try. However, if natural or non-medical methods don't work, it's best to consult your GP as soon as possible.

    Herbal teas

    Certain herbal teas can help reduce menstrual pain, particularly cramps and digestive problems. Many plants are recommended: chamomile, raspberry leaves, alchemilla and fennel. What's more, using herbal teas to relieve painful periods is economical. So there's no reason not to give it a try!

    Essential oils

    Essential oils are very popular in organic cosmetics, and have numerous properties when used for massage or in a hot bath. We recommend tarragon, clary sage and basil, to be used in a few drops at most. These grandmother remedies for very painful periods are not without risk: we recommend you carry out an allergy test before using them! Put a drop of oil in your elbow and wait half an hour to see whether or not a skin allergy develops.

    Acupressure or acupuncture

    Acupressure and acupuncture come from traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure points help reduce menstrual flow and period-related pain. Some points are better known than others: the Taichong point, the lower Tian point or the Sanyinjao point. You can simply apply theseacupressure pointsto reduce painful periods yourself at home and see the results.

    FAQs on painful periods

    What causes painful periods?

    Painful periods are caused by contractions of the uterus to evacuate blood from the uterine wall.

    How can I soothe a painful period?

    To relieve the pain, you can take painkillers. You can also use a hot-water bottle to relax the muscles. In some cases, the pill can be prescribed or changed.

    Why are my periods increasingly painful?

    Periods are not supposed to become increasingly painful. It may be a sign of a problem. In this case, consult your gynecologist without delay.



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