Why are irregular, painful, or prolonged periods a problem for women?

Posted by Rakshita Agrawal on May 18th, 2021

Most women have to face pain or cramps because of menstrual periods. Although the severity of the menstrual period's pain varies from person to person. Some women only face a little discomfort that can be managed easily. But some of them have to go through severe pain that affects their everyday activities during the menstrual period every month. Mensural period pain can be caused because of different reasons. Your gynecologist can help you manage the pain only after knowing the severity of the symptoms.  

Various causes of menstrual periods pain can be:

Menstrual period pain in medical terms is known as dysmenorrhea. It is divided into two categories

1. Primary dysmenorrhea
2. Secondary dysmenorrhea

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Primary Dysmenorrhea is the pain or cramps which only occur because of the menstrual periods. Dysmenorrhea is the pain caused because of cramping and throbbing in the lower abdomen or pelvic area. The contraction to help expel its lining in the uterus, basically the purpose of menstruation causes cramps.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea only happens when there are some severe issues with the reproductive system. Some issues that reason to secondary period pain are:

1. Endometriosis: it is a condition in which tissues that are similar to the uterus lining grow out of the uterus walls extraordinarily. It is one of the common problems that women face. This health condition affects women who belong to the age group of 15-45. Endometriosis causes severe pain and menstrual cramps. It is also one of the most common sources of infertility in women of reproductive age.
2. Adenomyosis: it is a rarer health issue than endometriosis, adenomyosis also involves uterine lining. In adenomyosis, the lining in the uterus grows inside the uterine wall. This problem leads to extended periods of heavy bleeding and pain.
3. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder generally seen in women of reproductive age. The polycystic ovarian syndrome can cause irregular periods or prolonged periods. When women with PCOS have a menstrual period, they often experience heavy bleeding, clots, and it is also said that polycystic ovarian syndrome period pain is very severe. In women with endometriosis, PCOS progresses with time, and symptoms like period pain also get worse. Other symptoms of PCOS comprise excessive weight gain, tiredness, painful sex, hirsutism, acne, male-pattern baldness, cysts in the ovaries, and infertility.

How Your Gynecologist Can Help

If you are experiencing period pain or irregular periods that affect your daily routine life every month, then you should visit your gynecologist. A gynecologist can determine whether your period pain is because of some primary conditions or it is severe because of secondary dysmenorrhea. From there, the gynecologist can advise you of certain treatments that will relieve your pain and will help you manage your symptoms.

Gynecologic conditions, like polycystic ovarian syndrome irregular periods, endometriosis, bleeding problems, and pelvic pain. If you have any concerns related to these severe period problems it is always advisable to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist.