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Common Gynecological Problems: Menstrual Cramps/ Period Pains
The monthly menstrual cycle for a lot of women can be painful, in some cases severely painful, to the extent of needing medication and preventing them from doing their routine work. In ayurveda, there is sure and excellent treatment for menstrual cramps.
The condition, called dysmenorrhoea, can begin at menarche- the age at which a girl first attains periods; and continues right through to the menopausal age. While there is mostly no underlying pathology in most cases, secondary dysmenorrhoea is a symptom of a preexisting disease. The most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhoea is endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and a copper IUD.
Types- there are two types of dysmenorrhoea; congestive and spasmodic. The pains in spasmodic dysmenorrhoea are very severe, and are almost as bad as labor pains. This condition is recurrent with every period, and generally subsides after the woman goes through childbirth. Congestive Dysmenorrhoea tends to be slightly less severe in intensity, but is still debilitating, and continues right through. PMS symptoms may also accompany and aggravate this condition.
The Symptoms of Menstrual Cramps
The intensity of symptoms varies from woman to woman and from one period to another. The pain, mostly cramping pain, comes on in the abdominal region, the low back, and can extend to the thighs and legs. The pain is disabling, preventing the person from doing their regular work at home, or going to work. There may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache with severe pain. Fatigue and high irritability are also common.
There may be excessive blood loss during the period, a condition called menorrahagia, which can co-exist with the pain.
Ayurvedic medicine and treatment is very effective in allaying the painful symptoms of menstrual cramps.