Causes of irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea

Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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There are many causes of menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea, so we must first consider changes caused by organic lesions, such as adenomyosis, which can cause increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstruation, and progressively worsening dysmenorrhea. There may even be pain during sexual intercourse, and abdominal pain may also occur occasionally. Apart from organic lesions, even after excluding organic conditions, some women may still experience menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea. For example, adolescent girls often experience primary dysmenorrhea along with menstrual irregularities, which could lead to functional bleeding.

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Adenomyosis without dysmenorrhea

Some women with adenomyosis may not experience symptoms of dysmenorrhea, which is a relatively good scenario as it does not affect their quality of life due to the disease. It is recommended that patients regularly visit the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic at their local hospital for gynecological examinations, gynecological color ultrasound, and other related tests to monitor the occurrence and development of the disease. If the disease progresses and worsens, and clinical symptoms appear with the uterus gradually enlarging, then surgery may be necessary if surgical indications are met.

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What to drink for menstrual pain?

Women experiencing menstrual cramps can drink some hot soup, brown sugar water, or ginger sugar water. Additionally, using a heating pad can help warm the uterus. Drinking a cup of hot milk before bedtime during the menstrual period can also aid in sleep and alleviate symptoms of menstrual pain. Menstrual pain is a common gynecological condition among women, occurring before, after, or during menstruation, characterized by lower abdominal pain, a feeling of heaviness accompanied by lower back pain or other discomforts. Severe cases can impact the quality of life. During menstruation, women should maintain regular sleep patterns, avoid staying up late, eat a light diet, and refrain from consuming spicy or stimulating foods. Consumption of cold and chilled foods should be avoided, and additional care should be taken to keep the lower abdomen warm.

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Does dysmenorrhea affect pregnancy?

Whether dysmenorrhea affects pregnancy cannot be generalized. Dysmenorrhea can be divided into primary dysmenorrhea, which is physiological, and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to cases where there are no pathological changes in the female reproductive organs, and the pain is solely due to uterine contractions during menstruation, commonly seen in adolescent girls. Moreover, conditions such as adenomyosis, severe uterine fibroids, and endometriosis can also cause pain and are associated with changes in the uterus, which can affect pregnancy. However, primary, functional dysmenorrhea generally does not impact the ability to conceive. Thus, whether dysmenorrhea affects pregnancy depends on the specific circumstances.

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How to quickly relieve menstrual pain?

If the symptoms of dysmenorrhea are severe, to quickly alleviate the pain, it is essential to keep warm strictly. You can use a hot water bottle to apply heat to the lower abdomen or soak your feet in warm water. Heat therapy generally quickly relieves the pain caused by the contraction of the uterine smooth muscle and spasms. If necessary, painkillers can be used for treatment, although painkillers have side effects, such as gastrointestinal damage. If you have noticeable symptoms of dysmenorrhea, you should have regular physical examinations to determine if it is related to pelvic inflammation. Some cases are due to conditions like adenomyosis or endometriosis, and targeted treatments can be performed.

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Is it normal to have painful periods?

Dysmenorrhea is generally abnormal. Under normal circumstances, if menstruation involves ovulation, there may be slight discomfort in the lower abdomen during menstruation, which is considered normal. If dysmenorrhea is present and tends to worsen over time, this condition usually indicates the possibility of endometriosis. In such cases, it is essential to visit a hospital for a color ultrasound and a CA125 blood test to confirm if the pain is caused by endometriosis, and treatment should be based on the diagnostic results. Furthermore, if dysmenorrhea is caused by a cold uterus, symptoms might include pain accompanied by a cold sensation in the lower abdomen and cold extremities. In this case, it is typically necessary to take medicine that warms the meridians, dispels cold, and alleviates pain in the uterus. If dysmenorrhea is due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, one can take medicine that promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, and relieves pain in the meridians. Therefore, dysmenorrhea is not normal.