It’s tough being a woman… especially if you have dysmenorrhea!

Whenever I experience that intense throbbing pain somewhere inside my abdomen, I would imagine taking it off and replace it with a new one that I’ve just bought from a drugstore or a thrift shop. (Wishful thinking).

People should know that dysmenorrhea is different from the normal menstrual pain in that the ache is intense enough to interfere with daily activities. In my case, “interfering with daily activities”, means a history of being forced to be absent from school in the middle of periodical exams, fainting inside a public library while doing research, experiencing nausea and fatigue while sitting on the home sofa, and having to be absent from office work.

I heard that some people are lobbying for women’s right to file for sick leave when they experience dysmenorrhea. But I do not know if that plan pushed through. Most people just do not understand dysmenorrhea, especially men. They say that if women are allowed to take a sick leave because of dysmenorrhea, men should also be given the right to file for “hangover leave”. Silly.

On the brighter side of things, no woman has been reported to die from dysmenorrhea. It is not a fatal medical condition. Although secondary dysmenorrhea is a symptom of underlying diseases or structural abnormality within the uterus, primary dysmenorrhea is not related to other conditions – just intense menstrual cramps that get in the way of normal day-to-day functioning.

Here are treatments for intense pain associated with menstrual period. (I’ve tried most of them):

1. Painkillers

Thank God for Midol. It’s the most popular over-the-counter drug for menstrual cramping and it’s my primary medicine for dysmenorrhea. When I was in my teens, I refuse taking painkillers and just try hard to bear the pain (and sometimes suffer fainting), but when I started working in the corporate environment, I know I just have to take painkillers. I cannot risk my job just because I suffer from dysmenorrhea every month.

2. Hormonal Contraceptives

Most OB/GYN recommends oral contraceptives to single women too. Aside from its obvious purpose of population control from premarital sex, hormonal pills can free women from dysmenorrhea since they stop the monthly bleeding. The explanation is that as the contraceptive reduce the level of prostaglandin, so is the pain that cause menstrual cramps. The release of prostaglandins in the uterus causes the uterus to contract, which is the usual cause of primary dysmenorrhea. (I have not gone to taking oral contraceptives still, but it might be worth a shot!)

3. Heat

A heating pad that is applied on the abdomen can relive cramps and relax the body. A warm cup of skim milk is also comforting.

4. Alternative Medicine

A chiropractor can treat pain, fatigue and nausea associated with dysmenorrhea. Chiropractic acupuncture, for example, is an alternative for patients who refuse oral contraceptives. (Consult your doctor before undergoing any alternative medical procedure.)

5. Healthy Diet

I am guilty as charge: too much caffeine and sugar intake can increase the occurrence of dysmenorrhea. Instead of coffee, milk is the way to go. Milk has calcium that prevents menstrual cramps. However, whole milk is also not advisable because it contains high fats that worsen dysmenorrhea. Skim milk, therefore, is the best beverage (aside from water).

Avoid alcohol too. Alcohol can deplete nutrients and affects metabolism of carbohydrates, leading to worsened muscle spasms and heavier menstrual flow. Also stop smoking. Smoking is an unhealthy habit that only increases the occurrence and severity of dysmenorrhea.

6. Exercise

Stretching is always good for the body. It helps ease cramps. Abdominal breathing also lessens stress that worsens the pain.

7. Go Green

Drinking green tea can help women relax and get rid of sharp abdominal pain. Aromatherapy and applying essential oils like rosemary and lavender on the abdomen can also ease pain and calm the system. There are also herbs that are known to cure dysmenorrhea, like cramp bark, motherwort, and chamomilla.

8. Mother’s Touch

However pain that adult women suffer from dysmenorrhea or any other illness, the hurt mysteriously lessens when a nurturing mother is around to take good care of us. Nothing beats mom’s tender loving care.