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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Written by Wang Jing Hua
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Can you soak your feet if you have menstrual cramps?

Soaking your feet can help with menstrual cramps, as long as the menstrual flow is not too heavy. You can add some Chinese herbal medicine to the footbath, or just use plain warm water. Soaking your feet helps to activate blood circulation and can relieve menstrual cramps, which are often caused by smooth muscle spasms related to being chilled. Getting chilled often leads to spasms and increased pain in smooth muscles. You can soak your feet for an extended period as long as the water temperature is not too hot. Additionally, applying a hot water bottle directly to the abdomen can also be quite effective. Generally, it's best to avoid using painkillers directly, as medications can be harsh on the stomach and have other side effects.

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How is dysmenorrhea caused by adenomyosis treated?

Adenomyosis is a condition in which active endometrial tissue invades the muscular layer of the uterus. The main symptom of adenomyosis is progressively worsening dysmenorrhea. When symptoms are mild, conservative treatments such as physical therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, or pain relief medication can be adopted. However, if the symptoms are severe and conservative treatments fail to alleviate the dysmenorrhea, surgical options may be considered. There are several surgical methods available: one is presacral neurectomy for pain relief, and another, for patients who do not require fertility, is total hysterectomy.

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How long does it take for ibuprofen to work for menstrual pain?

Dysmenorrhea refers to lower abdominal pain and a sense of heaviness around or during the menstrual period, accompanied by back pain or other discomforts. If dysmenorrhea occurs, taking ibuprofen can relieve the symptoms significantly within about 20 to 30 minutes. Drinking a bowl of hot brown sugar water during menstruation can also promote smoother menstrual flow and relieve pain. During menstruation, it is advisable to eat less spicy and stimulating food, as well as fewer cold fruits, vegetables, etc., and to maintain appropriate rest. Consume more warm foods and supplement with high-protein, high-calorie diets.

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How to alleviate menstrual pain: little tips

For women with dysmenorrhea, it is recommended to maintain sufficient sleep and rest, apply a hot water bag on the abdomen or use heating pads for relief. During dysmenorrhea, drinking warm water, brown sugar water, or ginger sugar water can be helpful. Additionally, avoiding raw, cold, and spicy foods can alleviate the symptoms. Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological disease characterized by pain in the lower abdomen, a sense of heaviness, backache, and other physical discomforts before and during menstruation, significantly affecting the patient's quality of life.

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Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
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Causes of Dysmenorrhea

The general causes of dysmenorrhea include endometriosis or cold in the uterus, or stagnation of qi and blood stasis, all of which can lead to painful menstruation. Clinically, if dysmenorrhea is generally mild abdominal discomfort without affecting study or work, this mild dysmenorrhea is generally not a big problem. If dysmenorrhea shows a gradually worsening trend, it generally requires a visit to the hospital for a color ultrasound to check for endometriosis. If dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis is present, it will show a worsening trend and in severe cases, may include symptoms of nausea and vomiting, so this situation is generally caused by a displacement of the endometrial lining. Additionally, some patients may experience cold hands and feet, and cold abdominal pain during the painful menstruation, which is mostly considered to be caused by cold in the uterus. Furthermore, stagnation of qi and blood stasis can also lead to dysmenorrhea, typically presenting with blood clots during menstruation, where pain relief follows the discharge of blood clots, suggesting a high possibility of being caused by stagnation of qi and blood stasis.