Is there a treatment for dysmenhorrhea? I
have not been diagnosed offically but my
period symptoms are really severe. I have
been on birth control (Femcon Fe) for
three months and the symptoms have become
worse. My periods are very regular and
usually last about 3 to 4 days but since
I've started the pill they have been
longer (about 7 days). Is there anything
else I can do to stop the severe
symptoms?
Current medical status: Dysmenhorrhea
(extreme cramps, headache, nausea etc.)
Current medical treatment: Femcon FE
Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) can be
primary or secondary.
Primary dysmenorrhea is caused by
increased production of prostaglandins
during the menstruation in certain women.
The exact cause for that remains unknown.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is due to other
disorders like structural anomaly,
infection, endometriosis, tumors, ovarian
cysts, etc. Primary dysmenorrhea is
diagnosed when all these possibilities are
excluded.
Ovulatory periods are usually painful.
Birth control pills are given to prevent
ovulations and so indirectly calm the
pain. Periods that you have now are not
real periods because the ovulations are
blocked.
Painkillers from the group of NSAID
(aspirin, ketoprofen, ibuprofen,
diclofenac…) are also given to calm the
pain. They decrease the production of
prostaglandins.
Severe cases can be treated with hormonal
therapy (GnRH agonists) or even
surgically.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is treated by
treating the primary disorder and with
painkillers.
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