2 Kinds of Pain Girls Experience Due to Menstruation

Pain is the reason why most girls fear their periods. Menstrual cramps is something that almost every woman bears each month. The technical term used for such cramps or pain is “dysmenorrhea”, which is a Greek word meaning “difficult monthly flow”.

Pain is experienced due to the contraction of the uterus, when it sheds its lining during menstruation. It occurs because of a hormone-like substance, called prostaglandins, that our uterus produces. This substance makes the uterus contract. The contracting uterus gives us that uneasy cramping feeling. Prostaglandins levels are high when menstruation starts and gradually decreases as the period progresses.

Two Different Kinds of Period Pains

There are basically two types of pain or cramps that you might experience:

1.      Primary Dysmenorrhea: This commonly occurs in teenage girls, at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and occurs without any underlying medical conditions. The irritable cramping pain can occur due to a contraction of the uterus, in order to shed its lining. It can also be caused by limited supply of blood to the uterus. The pain can extend from the lower part of the abdomen towards the back and further on to the thighs. This is a completely normal experience, causing mild discomfort in women. In case the pain is unbearable, some easy home treatments can make the monthly flow easier, thereby reducing the pain, such as using a hot water bag on the stomach.

2.      Secondary Dysmenorrhea: This pain is not just limited to time of menstruation but can occur at any time during the cycle. It can make the flow heavier and continue for more days than usual. Pain can be experienced during intercourse as well. In certain cases, secondary dysmenorrhea can be due to certain medical conditions, like:

·         Sexually transmitted diseases

·         Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS

·         Pelvic infections

·         Adenomyosis, in which the uterine lining extends into the wall of the uterus

·         Endometriosis, in which the uterus lining thickens and causes pain

·         Non-cancerous tumors or fibroids in the uterus

·         Intrauterine devices (IUDs) made of copper

·         Cervical stenosis, in which the cervix is not big enough for even flow

How to Reduce Menstrual Cramps

Some home remedies that you can try to reduce the pain include:

·         Gently massage the abdomen

·         Use a heating pad on the back or the pelvic area

·         Stay physically active with some simple exercises through the month.

·         Practice yoga and meditation

·         Bathe with warm water or sit in warm water

·         Avoid heavy and oily foods, as well as excessive salt, caffeine and sugar, since they cause bloating and can exacerbate the pain

If none of the above methods work to reduce the period pain, it is advisable to visit a doctor.

How to Feel Better During Your Periods

According to a study conducted by Ibn Sina National College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, about 36.4% women in Saudi Arabia have irregular menstruation, 21.6% have oligomenorrehea and 21.3% had polymenorrehea. About 19.5% of the women use less than 3 pads during one menstrual cycle, while 12.5% use more than 5 pads.

Another study revealed that about 68% of the girls experienced PMS and 59% were unable to attend school because of it. Dysmenorrhea was the most common problem, resulting in 60% to 90% the cases of absenteeism from school. 

However, most of the women continue to ignore this as general pain, without realising that they can control it and stay energized throughout the day even during their periods. Here is what you need to do to feel better.

Choose Your Food Wisely

This is a time when you crave for food items such as sugar, salt, coffee and alcohol, but, sadly, they only make the condition worse. Salt causes greater water retention, sugar causes rise and fall of blood sugar and caffeine increases the production of estrogen, leading to mood swings. Instead, opt for foods that are rich in vitamins and drink plenty of water and fluids.

Avoid Painful Activities but Indulge in Light Exercises

During periods, girls are more physically sensitive and painful activities, such as waxing, body piercing or getting a tattoo can be more painful than they otherwise would. On the other hand, simple exercises like yoga, stretching and walking can help maintain good blood flow and avoid cramps.

Meet Your Friends

A lot of women do not like to socialise during this time. However, the reality is that when you go out and meet friends, you get less time to think about how miserable you feel. So, try going out with your friends or organize a small party with them at home, it will really help in elevating your mood.

Get Adequate Rest

Needless to say, sleeping is the best solution for most problems. Getting enough sleep, especially at night, will help you to stay refreshed and rejuvenated.

Use the Right Protection

Most sanitary pads and tampons available in the market use chemicals that can cause rashes and the material used may cause problems of breathability. Choose products according to the materials used, absorbency and your skin type, and change them every 4-8 hours, depending on the flow.

Also, remember to take special care of your skin in the week leading to your periods, sicne injuries at that time can increase the irritation levels later.

At What Age Do Periods Start

Did you know that while there is a positive correlation between a mother's menarcheal age and her daughter's? This means that is likely that you will start your menstrual cycle around the same time that your mother did. The current mean age of girls reaching menarche is 13 years according to the findings of a survey conducted by the faculty of medicine of the University of Jordan, Amman. However, if you are interested to know if you are approaching the age of menarche, there are distinct signs to let you know that the start of your periods is near. Here are some of them.

How to Tell You are Approaching Menarche

Menstruation is considered to be the completion of puberty. Therefore a good way to know that you are approaching menstruation is when you begin to see signs of puberty. However, keep in mind that puberty refers to a period of 3-5 years which end in menstruation. 

Development of Breasts: You will start to develop what is known as breast buds, which are small mounds beneath the nipples. Some girls experience pain and tenderness when their breasts begin to grow. However, it is important to start wearing a bra at this stage it will give the support that is needed for shapely development. You can expect to get your periods 2 years after your breasts begin to grow.

Pubic Hair: You find curly hair growing in parts of your body that had none before. It will first begin to grow in your pubic area and then in your armpits. This is an indication that your body is preparing itself for menstruation.  In some girls this happens before the development of breasts, which means that you are still 2 – 3 years away from menarche age.

Vaginal Discharge: If you begin to notice yellow or white stains in your panties, know that it is perfectly normal. The fluid may cloudy or whitish, or it may be clear. Either way, it is being produced because you are fast approaching menarche. When a girl gets discharge, it is likely that she will begin to menstruate in 6 to 18 months.

Therefore, while the age at which you begin to menstruate may depend on a variety of factors, like genetics and your general health, you will probably begin to notice signs of puberty by the time you reach your tenth birthday. You know your periods will follow soon after and with it a new stage of your life.