Most women are familiar with the throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen just before or during their periods. While for some this discomfort is merely annoying, for others it’s severe enough to interfere with their lives monthly.
If your menstrual cramps disrupt your life every month, if your symptoms progressively worsen, if you just started having severe pains after age 25, see a doctor, as the cramps might indicate an underlying issue.
What causes severe cramps?
Here are some of the conditions that cause severe menstrual colics:
Endometriosis. The tissue that lines your uterus becomes implanted outside your uterus, most commonly on your fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining your pelvis.
Uterine fibroids. These noncancerous growths in the wall of the uterus can cause pain.
Adenomyosis. The tissue that lines your uterus begins to grow into the muscular walls of the uterus.
Pelvic inflammatory disease. This infection of the female reproductive organs is usually caused by sexually transmitted bacteria.
Cervical stenosis. In some women, the opening of the cervix is small enough to impede menstrual flow, causing a painful increase of pressure within the uterus.
Most of these conditions don’t cause complications however, endometriosis can affect fertility and pelvic inflammatory disease can scar your fallopian tubes, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Treatment of menstrual cramps
In order to treat your menstrual cramps and underlying conditions, your GP may prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers, hormonal birth control or, in some cases, surgery, but there are some things that you might do on your own.
Enough sleep and rest are crucial in case of menstrual colics, but regular exercise, including sex have also proven to be very effective for some women. Try using a heating pad, hot water bottle or heat patch on your lower abdomen.
A number of studies have indicated that vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B-1 (thiamin), vitamin B-6 and magnesium supplements might reduce menstrual cramps as well. Some herbal products, such as pycnogenol, fennel or combination products, might provide some relief from menstrual cramps.
Low-level laser therapy might be another solution. Try RANKEL Smart Life to relieve pains. It is also safe to combine with other treatments. RANKEL Smart Life is a portable physiotherapeutic device. It is widely used in clinics, and can be used at home. Known as an efficient pain reliever, this device has a positive effect on hormonal, immune and nervous systems.
Rankel Smart Life is safe to use and has no contraindications.