All About Menstrual Cramps and Your Period Pain

Period pain or menstrual cramps are something most women face each month. Usually, they’re not a bad thing. They are a sign that your body is startinganother healthy menstrual cycle. But it’s helpful to understand exactly what is happening in your body.

Usually, menstrual cramp pain is mild. But sometimes it can be severe. The pains can vary from sharp stabs that make you double over to a nagging pain thatspreads through your belly and lower back. Some women also experience dizziness, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. Severe period pain is called dysmenorrhea.

There are two types of menstrual cramps: primary and secondary.

Primary Dysmenorrhea
This is a big word for common menstrual cramps caused by your monthly cycle, not disease. You may feel mild to severe pain in your lower abdomen, back andthighs. It starts right before your period and usually lasts between 12-72 hours. This kind of dysmenorrhea is more common in young women and often getsless severe from the mid-20s onward and after giving birth.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea
This type of dysmenorrhea is usually caused by a disorder in a woman's reproductive organs. Some of these conditions include endometriosis, fibroids, cystsor infection. It can also be caused by using an intrauterine device (IUD) which is a form of contraceptive. The pain usually starts earlier in themenstrual cycle and lasts longer than primary dysmenorrhea.

Scientists think that menstrual cramps are related to prostaglandins – a substance your uterus makes – that causes the uterus to contract. The cramping feeling is your uterus contracting.

At the start of your period, prostaglandin levels are high, and as you start to menstruate, the levels decrease.

There are a lot of natural ways to manage your period pain, and many medicine options too. Here are 5 great ways to tackle your menstrual cramps.