Even though it is almost everyone’s understanding that menses, no matter how painful they may be, are as normal as meeting people on the road, painful periods can, however, be a warning for serious health conditions.
Normally, menses is the normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle. It contains nutrients that would have supported the growth of the baby in case of pregnancy.
During menstruation, the uterus contracts so as to expel the blood, a process that is supported by hormones that involve pain (prostaglandins). The action of these hormones is what explains the pain that one feels during menstruation.
Though menstrual pain is reasonable, if you have significant pain and excessive bleeding, you should probably consult a doctor because your body might be dealing with something worse than just menses. Here are some medical conditions that might be the reason for unbearable menstrual pain.
Endometriosis
This is a common condition in which endometrium-like tissues which should normally be inside the uterus are found outside of it and attach to other body structures like the ovary, fallopian tube, bowel, diaphragm, and others.
According to the medical director of the Centre for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta, Ken R. Sinervo, the real reason why endometriosis causes unbearable pain is unknown, but the pain is related to where the endometrium-like tissues have dislocated.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in and around the uterus. These tumors can turn normal menstruation into a painful and over-bleeding one. The pain is due to the fact that the uterus needs to contract in order to expel the big blood clots.
Copper intrauterine device
This is a form of birth control device that is placed inside one’s uterus and stops pregnancy by releasing copper which inhibits the movement of sperm. This device tends to make menses abnormally heavy and painful.
Uterine defects
This happens during uterus formation when one is only a fetus. If the uterus does not form correctly during that period, one is likely to experience abnormal menstrual pain, painful sexual intercourse, and infertility (inability to produce a baby).
Truth is, menstrual pain has a lot of medical reasons, some of which can be diagnosed and treated entirely. This being the fact, it is not a good decision to keep it a secret if you experience unbearable menstrual pain. It is always better to consult a doctor so that essential treatment can be given.
