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Symptoms & Signs Index |
| Menstrual Cramps | |
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Definition: painful menstruation usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. |
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Medical terms related to
menstrual cramps : Cramps, Menstrual, Dysmenorrhea, Spasmodic Dysmenorrhea |
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Common
causes of menstrual cramps: o Stress and anxiety o Pelvic inflammatory disease o Multiple sexual partners o History of sexual or physical abuse o Fibroids o Ovarian cysts o Intrauterine Device (IUD),usually the first three months after insertion o Uterine Fibroids (Benign Tumors of the Uterus) o Premenstrual Syndrome: A variety of symptoms manifested by some women prior to menstruation that may include emotional instability, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, depression, headache, edema, and abdominal pain; called also PMS. o Endometriosis: The presence and growth of functioning endometrial tissue in places other than the uterus that often results in severe pain and infertility.
Other Causes of
menstrual cramps: |
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Call 911
or go to the hospital if menstrual cramps
is accompanied by: o Passing blood clots o Sever pain, your period is over one week late, and you have been sexually active( Risk of ectopic pregnancy) |
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Call your
doctor if menstrual cramps is
accompanied by: o Fever o Foul-smelling vaginal discharge o IUD that has been placed more than 3 months o Cramps stay more than 3 months in spite of self-care measures |
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Diagnostic tests
that may be performed include: o Blood tests including (CBC) o Ultrasound o Dilation of the cervix o Laparoscopy o Cultures (to rule out sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea) |
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Prevention and
self-care: Follow these steps to avoid prescription medications: o Take warm showers or baths. o Apply a heating pad to your lower abdomen. o Drink warm beverages. o Circularly massage around your lower abdomen with your fingertips . o Walk or exercise regularly. o Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, fruits. o Have a diet low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. o Have frequent but light meals. o Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen. o Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga. o Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements o Keep your legs elevated while lying down. Or lie on your side with knees bent. If self-care measures do not work, your health provider may prescribe you these medications: o Cox-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex) and valdecoxib (Bextra) o Stronger anti-inflammatories like diclofenac (Cataflam) o Antidepressants o Birth control pills (OCP) o Stronger pain relievers (even narcotics like codeine, for brief periods) o Antibiotics |
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Medications
for menstrual cramps may
include: o Acetaminophen (Tylenol) o Celecoxib (Celebrex) o Naproxen, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox, Aleve o Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control Pills) o Rofecoxib (Vioxx) o Estrogens (Conjugated) o Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Medipren, Nuprin o Ketoprofen, Orudis, Oruvail |
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| Diagnosis of menstrual cramps, Reasons of menstrual cramps, Prevention of menstrual cramps, Definition of menstrual cramps, Treatments for menstrual cramps | |