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Dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea is defined as painful menstruation or menstrual cramping.
Menstrual cramps are dull or throbbing pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, it can be severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month.
Menstrual cramps are classified as primary dysmenorrhea or secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea involves no physical abnormality and usually begins six months to a year after you begin menstruating. Secondary dysmenorrhea involves an underlying physical cause, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
If you have primary dysmenorrhea, there are some measures you can take to ease the discomfort. You can also be rest assured that cramps tend to decrease in intensity as you get older and often disappear after pregnancy. For secondary dysmenorrhea, managing your cramps involves treating the underlying cause.
How Physical Therapy Can Help:
A physical therapist can evaluate your problem and help you manage the debilitating effects of dysmenorrhea.
A suggested program may include:
- Postural training
- Therapeutic exercises
- TENS – Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Biofeedback for pain reduction
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