What is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for severe cramps, pressure and pain during your menstrual period. Some cramping and discomfort during menstrual periods is normal, but being in severe pain during your period wherein your daily activities and quality of life are affected, is not "normal" or healthy. 

Signs and symptoms of dysmenorrhea include aching pain in the abdomen (sometimes severe), feeling of pressure or expansion in the abdomen and lower pelvic region, and pain in the hips, lower back and inner thighs. While dysmenorrhea has no direct impact on fertility, it may be symptomatic of a fertility issue.

Causes of Dysmenorrhea:

It’s not always possible to identify the exact cause of painful menstrual periods.

However, painful menstrual periods can also be the result of some of the following underlying conditions (all of which can be helped/alleviated through naturopathic medicine, clean nutrition, and acupuncture.

• Endometriosis: A condition in which the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, which can cause swelling, scarring, and pain.

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): An infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs, which can cause pain in the stomach or pain during sex.

• Fibroids: Benign tumors or growths on the inside, outside, or in the walls of the uterus

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): a metabolic condition with gynecological manifestations of painful and irregular (or absent) heavy clotting cycles, often accompanied by insulin resistance and weight changes.