Period pain

• Menstrual pain,  also known as menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, or period pain is defined as pain during menstruation. 
• Research has proven that 80 percent of women in the reproductive age experience painful menstruation. 
• Pain is mostly felt in the lower abdomen, however, the individual may experience other symptoms such as diarrhea, headaches, lower back pain, nausea, and headache among others. 
• Every month an egg (oocyte) is released into the womb for fertilization to take place. If fertilization does not occur, shedding of the lining of the womb takes place usually 1 to 5 days 
• During menstruation the hormone, prostaglandins are produced which causes the uterus (womb) to contracts strongly pressing against nearby blood vessels preventing the supply of oxygen to the muscle leading to pain and cramping. This is known as primary dysmenorrhea. 
• The pain from menses or period can be relieved with pain killers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin.
• Physical exercise can help relieve period pain. Exercise releases endorphins that relieve pain.
• Applying a heating pad to the abdomen can also relieve period pain.
• If symptoms persist visit the nearest hospital. 

References

Aziato, L., Dedey, F., & Clegg-Lamptey, J. N. A. (2014). The experience of dysmenorrhoea among Ghanaian senior high and university students: pain characteristics and effects. Reproductive health, 11(1), 58.

Acheampong, K., Baffour-Awuah, D., Ganu, D., Appiah, S., Pan, X., Kaminga, A., & Liu, A. (2019). Prevalence and Predictors of Dysmenorrhea, Its Effect, and Coping Mechanisms among Adolescents in Shai Osudoku District, Ghana. Obstetrics and Gynecology International, 2019.

Aziato, L. (2017). ‘I wish I was not a Woman’: The Pain of Women within the Reproductive Age in Ghana.

Dysmenorrhoea retrieved from https;//myclevelandclinic .org/health