Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, are throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen that many women experience just before and during their menstrual periods. The pain is caused by the contraction of the uterus, which is a muscle, to help expel its lining during menstruation. The contraction is triggered by hormonelike substances called prostaglandins, which are involved in pain and inflammation. Higher levels of prostaglandins are associated with more severe menstrual cramps.
There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common kind of period pain and is not caused by another condition. The cause is usually having too many prostaglandins, which are chemicals that your uterus makes. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a disorder in the reproductive organs, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
Certain things put you at a higher risk of menstrual cramps. You might be at risk of menstrual cramps if you are younger than age 30, started puberty early, at or before age 11, bleed heavily during periods (menorrhagia), have irregular menstrual bleeding (metrorrhagia), or have a family history of menstrual cramps.
To help prevent cramps, you can try taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs reduce the amount of prostaglandins that your uterus makes and lessen their effects, which helps to lessen the cramps. Women who exercise regularly often have less menstrual pain, so making exercise a part of your weekly routine can also help prevent cramps. If these steps don’t do enough, you should contact your health care provider.
