Menstrual Cramps

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• Definition and facts about menstrual cramps
• What are menstrual cramps?
• What causes menstrual cramps?
• What other symptoms occur with menstrual cramps?
• When to seek medical care for menstrual cramps
• Which specialties of doctors treat menstrual cramps?
• How is the cause of severe menstrual cramps diagnosed?
• What natural or home remedies relieves or gets rid of menstrual cramps?
• What OTC pain relievers ease or gets rid of menstrual cramps?
• What about birth control pills to ease or stop menstrual cramps?
• Is there surgery to relieve severe menstrual cramps?
• Is it possible to stop menstrual cramps?
• Can menstrual cramps be prevented?
• Read more on Menstrual Pain from Healthwise

• Menstrual cramps are sharp pains that occur in women's lower abdomen that start with humans. Begins may continue for about 2 to 3 days or more.
• Risk factors for menstrual cramps include the following:
  • First menstrual period occurs younger than 11 years of age
  • Menstrual periods that last five days or more
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Never been pregnant
  • Family history of severe menstrual cramps
• Prostaglandins may play a role in menstrual cramps, and pathologic conditions, for example, endometriosis, fibroids, infections and other conditions also may contribute to menstrual cramps.
• Menstrual cramps can produce one or more the following symptoms:
  • Low back pain, pain in legs or hips
  • Irritability
  • Bloating
  • Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea (gastrointestinal symptoms)
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue or malaise
  • Fainting spells
• A woman should contact health-care professional if menstrual cramps become painful for a longer time than usual, if the pain is different, if bleeding is excessive (for example, one pad or tampon per hour), has fever chills or body aches, suspects pregnancy or have menstrual cramps for the first time past the age of 25, has fainting, dizziness and/or passes tissue with menstrual blood.
• Menstrual cramps usually are diagnosed by taking a detailed medical history along with physical exam (including a pelvic exam) and a pregnancy test. Other diagnostic tests may include ultrasound, MRI, laparoscopy or hysteroscopy.
• Menstrual cramps usually are treated initially with natural home remedies and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some females may be prescribed hormonal birth control or medications such as mefenamic acid (Ponstel) or meclofenamate (Meclomen).
• Some women may require surgery such as endometrial ablation, endometrial resection or hysterectomy.
• Some health-care professionals and naturopaths alternative medical treatment that may include acupuncture, nitroglycerin patches, A TENS (transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation) device, or supplement such as thiamine, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids; however, there is little data to support such treatments.
• Menstrual cramp prevention, or more likely, menstrual cramp reduction can be accomplished by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, weight control, and exercise along with smoking cessation.
• The prognosis for menstrual cramps varies from good to fair as sometimes they will disappear after pregnancy and often are well-controlled by NSAIDs. Underlying causes such as fibroids, when removed or treated, can cause menstrual cramps to stop.

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