You do not need to suck it up if you experience intense monthly cramps. There are options both medical and surgical to provide you relief and in some cases cure your symptoms altogether. Please make a Telemedicine appointment to reach out to a Women’s Health OB/GYN, we can help.

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Your menstrual cycle can be an indicator of your health status. Experiencing this natural process can be different for each woman. This makes it harder to know when something is normal and when it isn’t. What do you need to know about your menstrual cycle?

What Is Normal During My Period?

The menstrual cycle usually begins every 21 to 35 days and usually lasts two to seven days. Young women may experience longer cycles during their first few years of menstruation. Cycles tend to grow shorter with age.

Some women may have a very regular cycle that begins and ends at the same time. Others may notice some variation along with light or heavy flow that may be painful or painless. This all falls into the realm of what is normal.

What Isn’t Normal During My Period?

If you notice that your menstrual cycle doesn’t happen during the timeframe described above, you may have irregular periods. This occurs if the number of days between starting and stopping the cycle varies each month. The most common cause of this condition is known as anovulation.

Anovulation means that ovulation did not happen during the menstrual cycle. This is usually the result of a hormone imbalance. Other factors can cause a missed or irregular period, including:

• Chronic stress
• Short-term anxiety
• Taking birth control pills
• Extreme dieting or exercise
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Aging
• Illness

What Should I Do If I Have An Irregular Menstrual Cycle?

Seek medical advice if you notice changes in your period or if you experience irregular menstrual cycles. A gynecologist can perform an examination and figure out the cause and best way to treat it. Contact Women’s Health today to schedule an appointment.

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Dysmenorrhea is another way to describe the pain felt during menstruation. It is divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Common menstrual cramps fall into the primary group. They are recurrent, usually last a day or two before bleeding starts, and are not the result of a disease.

Secondary dysmenorrhea is pain that is felt due to a reproductive disorder like uterine fibroids or endometriosis. Discomfort usually starts earlier in the cycle and lasts longer than primary cramps.

What Causes Dysmenorrhea?

A chemical called prostaglandin causes the uterus to contract, or tighten. The contractions tend to be stronger during menstruation. If it happens too intensely, it can apply pressure to surrounding blood vessels, cutting off the oxygen supply to uterine muscles. This brief period of oxygen loss causes cramping. The causes of secondary dysmenorrhea will vary based on the patient’s medical condition.

How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps

There are several easy ways to help relieve primary dysmenorrhea. First, women should drink more water to help reduce bloating. Six to eight glasses per day are recommended. Also avoid anything that causes fluid retention, like salt. A healthy diet that is high in omega-3 fatty acids can help ease pain on an ongoing basis.

Warm up a heating pad or hot water bottle and lay it on your abdomen. You can combine this treatment with an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen.

Even though you may not feel like it during this time, exercise can also help. A workout releases endorphins that help dull pain and discomfort. If you are feeling fatigued, try a low-impact activity like yoga. Contact Women’s Health OBGYN’s in West Bloomfield, Michigan to schedule an appointment to learn more about managing dysmenorrhea.

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