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Treatment for primary dysmenorrhea can be done with pain medication, in addition to the birth control pill, but in case of secondary dysmenorrhea, surgery may be necessary.
In any case, there are natural, homemade and alternative strategies that help to control pain and discomfort, making life easier for women, such as exercising, using a bag of warm water on their wombs, and preferring or avoiding certain foods.
Below are some possible ways to treat this severe menstrual cramping.
Dysmenorrhea remedies
The remedies that the gynecologist will be able to indicate to fight the intense menstrual colic, after being diagnosed this alteration, can be:
- Analgesic remedies, such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as mefenamic acid, ketoprofen, piroxicam, ibuprofen, naproxen, which work by blocking the production of prostaglandins having an effect against pain and inflammation;
- Antispasmodic remedies, such as Atroveran or Buscopan, for example, to decrease menstrual cramps;
- Remedies that decrease menstrual flow, such as Meloxicam, Celecoxib, Rofecoxib
- Oral contraceptive pill.
Both painkillers, anti-inflammatories or antispasmodics should be taken a few hours before or at the very beginning of menstrual cramps, in order to have the expected effect. In the case of the pill, it should be taken according to the instructions on the label, because they vary between 21 and 24 days, with a pause of 4 or 7 days between each pack.
When dysmenorrhea is secondary, and it happens because there is some disease in the pelvic region, the gynecologist may recommend other medications that are more suitable. In case of endometriosis, surgery may be necessary to remove excess endometrial tissue outside the uterus, and if an IUD is used, it must be removed as soon as possible.
Physiotherapy for dysmenorrhea
Physical therapy can also be a good option to control the intense menstrual cramps caused by primary dysmenorrhea, with features such as:
- Use of heat, which will stimulate blood supply, relax the muscles and relieve the impact of uterus contractions;
- Massage therapy on the abdomen and back, using kneading or friction techniques that soothes, improves circulation and relaxes the muscles;
- Pelvic exercises that stretch the muscles, promoting relaxation and relieving pain;
- Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation, TENS, in which, through the placement of electrodes in the lumbar and pelvic region, an electrical current is emitted that does not cause pain and that stimulates nerve endings, relieving pain and colic.
This type of treatment can be useful to reduce or even stop the pain of primary dysmenorrhea, and are also a good way to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor, in case of secondary dysmenorrhea. To find out the differences between these two types of the disease, see: What is dysmenorrhea, and how to end it.
Natural treatment for dysmenorrhea
Natural treatment can be done with homemade measures such as:
- Place a hot water bag over the belly;
- Rest, placing your belly down on a pillow to compress it;
- Reduce the consumption of salt and sodium-rich foods, such as sausages and canned foods;
- Eat more dairy, dark vegetables, soy, bananas, beets, oats, kale, zucchini, salmon or tuna;
- Avoid caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, chocolate, black tea and soft drinks, such as coca-cola;
- Avoid alcoholic beverages.
A great home remedy for dysmenorrhea is to drink oregano tea, placing 2 teaspoons of oregano in 1 cup of boiling water, capping and letting it stand for 5 minutes, drinking it about 2 to 3 times a day.
Alternative treatment for dysmenorrhea
As an alternative treatment to relieve severe menstrual cramps, reflex massage, Ayurvedic massage or shiatsu can be used. But acupuncture, which consists of placing needles in key points of the body, it may also be possible to decrease menstrual pain and regulate the menstrual cycle, facilitating the woman's daily life.
These alternative treatment strategies can be performed at any stage of the menstrual cycle, but they also relieve pain during menstruation, but they are not always enough to replace taking the medications indicated by the gynecologist.
Is it possible to get pregnant with dysmenorrhea?
Primary dysmenorrhea, has no definite cause, and does not hinder pregnancy and therefore the woman is able to conceive naturally if she has sex, but in case of secondary dysmenorrhea, as there may be significant pelvic changes, and therefore it may be more difficult for women get pregnant naturally. In any case, menstrual pains subside long after pregnancy, but why that happens is not yet well defined.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team