As we mentioned in previous articles, dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) means that women have periodic pains during or prior to, or after menstrual periods in the lower abdomen caused by disruption of contraction within the uterus as a result of excess prostaglandins. In this article we will discuss causes and symptoms of dysmenorrhea.



I. Causes

A. Primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is defined as no underlying cause for menstrual cramps or difficult menstruation.

a) Allergic reactions

Women eating food that causes the immune system to react over-aggressively and negatively due to a weakened immune system as well as resulting in an over-production of prostaglandlins.

b) Nutritional deficiency

Deficiency of magnesium and DHEA encourages the excess prostaglandlins that can facilitate onset of dysmenorrhea.

c) Unhealthy diet

Intake of high amounts of foods containing synthetic preservatives, color agents, additives, and caffeine causes tension in the nervous system, weakens the immune system, and increases inflammation of our body's system resulting in a distortion of hormone production.

d) Excessive estrogen

Balancing of estrogen and progesterone is necessary for a normal menstrual cycle. Women who are taking estrogen enhancing medications may cause an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone resulting in a hormone imbalance and menstrual cramps.

e) Over weight

Women who are overweight have twice the risk for having stronger and more persistent menstrual pain than women who are not.

f) Smoking.

Cigarettes are a stimulant that not only causes tension in our nervous system, but also distorts hormone production causing excessive production of prostaglandlins. Women smokers are more likely to suffer from menstrual pain.

g) Stress

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way causing chemical imbalances in the brain resulting in irregular menstruation or menstrual cramps.

B. Secondary dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by gynecological disease

a) Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the cells that line the interior of the uterus dislodge and grows outside the uterine cavity resulting in no exit for the blood when estrogen levels drop causing dysmenorrhea.

b) Fibromas.

These benign tumors form and grow in the uterus or the ovaries as a result of prolonged, dilatory menstruation or abortion as well as imbalances between estrogen and progesterone causing pain during the menstrual flow.

c) Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

PID is a bacterial infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

II. Symptoms

Symptoms of dysmenorrhea include

a) Spasmodic cramps

b) Headaches

c) Dizziness

d) Anxiety

e) Nausea

f) vomiting

g) Depression

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