Painful Periods
Dysmenorrhea is a medical term that means “difficult or painful periods”. There are two types of dysmenorrhea; primary and secondary.
Many women who have dysmenorrhea have lower back pain and cramping in the lower area of the abdomen during their periods. This pain can range from dull to throbbing. Some women may have other symptoms during their period such as nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movements/diarrhea, constipation, bloating in the belly area, headaches, and/or lightheadedness, all of which can range from mild to severe.
There are treatments that can help with painful periods. If you are experiencing these symptoms, schedule an appointment to discuss this with Dr. Dooley.
- Primary dysmenorrhea is a common kind of painful periods that frequently occurs in young women. Cramping pain in the lower abdomen (belly) can start from 1–2 days before your period begins and can last 2–4 days.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea is when cramps are a result of a medical problem such as endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside its normal location. This usually causes pain before and/or during a woman’s menstrual period.
Many women who have dysmenorrhea have lower back pain and cramping in the lower area of the abdomen during their periods. This pain can range from dull to throbbing. Some women may have other symptoms during their period such as nausea, vomiting, loose bowel movements/diarrhea, constipation, bloating in the belly area, headaches, and/or lightheadedness, all of which can range from mild to severe.
There are treatments that can help with painful periods. If you are experiencing these symptoms, schedule an appointment to discuss this with Dr. Dooley.