Painful Periods

What causes painful periods?

Having painful periods, also known as dysmenorrhea, is a common menstrual disorder. 

There are two classifications of dysmenorrhea that describe the root cause of period pain:

Primary dysmenorrhea

In primary dysmenorrhea, pain relates to the menstrual cramps you usually feel for 2-3 days. This type of period pain can begin affecting girls soon after they start their periods.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

The underlying cause of secondary dysmenorrhea relates to a disorder in your reproductive system. This type of pain can start at any time and may be the result of conditions like:

• Uterine fibroids
• Abdominal adhesions
• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis

When painful periods interfere with your quality of life, the medical team at The Women's Center offers advanced diagnostic technologies on-site to determine the source of your period pain.

How are painful periods diagnosed?

Diagnosing painful periods starts with a review of your personal and family medical history, your current health, and your symptoms.

Your provider at The Women's Center also performs a pelvic exam to check your reproductive structures for signs of abnormal tissue growth like fibroids or endometriosis. They can use ultrasound technology to identify growths not palpable during a pelvic exam.

In some cases, you may need a diagnostic laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a special lighted scope to get a close-up visual of your uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive structures.

Once they identify the cause of your painful periods, The Women's Center medical team customizes a treatment plan to your needs.

How are painful periods treated?

Your treatment plan for painful periods depends on the underlying cause of your pain. Initially, you may benefit from hormonal birth control pills to relieve pain, shrink fibroids, and regulate your periods. Over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatories may also help relieve severe pain.

If medications aren’t enough to treat endometriosis or fibroids, your physician may recommend surgery. The Women's Center team offers in-office surgery to remove excess endometrial tissue, adhesions, and large fibroids.

The providers also offer in-office endometrial ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat or cold therapy to destroy the lining of your uterus.

In addition to medical treatments, The Women's Center team can work with you on lifestyle changes you can make to manage and prevent pain. They provide resources to help you improve your diet, incorporate more exercise into your life, and reduce daily stress.

You don’t have to live with painful periods each month. Request an appointment online or call The Women’s Center, PC, office nearest you today.