A common symptom of most girls and women during menstruation is severe pain in the lower abdomen and midsection. For some, it may be just a simple discomfort, but for others, it can turn into severe pain accompanied by vomiting and dizziness that makes it impossible to go to college or office. Here are the main reasons behind this pain:
Excessive production of the hormone ‘Prostaglandins’: This chemical is the main cause of common period pain (Primary Dysmenorrhea). During menstruation, the uterus needs to contract strongly in order to shed the lining of the uterus. For this, the body produces prostaglandins. When this hormone is in excess, the uterus contracts strongly and the blood flow to it temporarily decreases. This is what is felt as intense pain.
PCOD/PCOS: This is a hormonal imbalance problem that is common in girls today. Due to small cysts in the ovaries, menstruation becomes irregular, and later when periods occur, the uterus has to strain more to expel the clotted blood. This can cause severe pain.
Endometriosis: This is a condition in which the cells that should grow inside the uterus (Endometrium) grow outside the uterus, in the ovaries, or in the fallopian tubes. These cells also start bleeding during menstruation. Since this has no way to exit, it causes severe pain and swelling in the lower abdomen and pelvic areas.
Adenomyosis: This is a condition in which the cells in the lining of the uterus grow into the muscle wall of the uterus. This increases the size of the uterus and causes severe back pain and heavy bleeding during periods.
Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids are small, non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They can thicken the walls of the uterus and cause severe abdominal pain and discomfort during menstruation.