Gathered here are a collection of incisive articles, created for women, to focus on subjects relating to women's physical and emotional health and well-being. Topics under gynecologic conditions include causes, diagnosis, symptoms and possible treatment options of various issues in gynecologic health. Topics under the treatment category include a description of techniques and procedures in treatment options of gynecologic conditions.
It is our hope that this section may serve as a resource, helping you to be an informed partner in your own healthcare. The information is not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic treatment. While the information has been carefully reviewed, it is not intended to take the place of a discussion with your physician. The AAGL encourages you to contact your own physician for the appropriate care and treatment of your health.
The development of this patient education was supported by unrestricted educational grants by the healthcare companies listed below. We appreciate their support in allowing the AAGL to continue its mission to educate you about the quality healthcare options that are available.
American Medical Systems
Boston Scientific
Conceptus
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Women's Health & Urology
Intuitive Surgical
Karl Storz Endoscopy, America
Dysmenorrhea means painful cramps during your period. Cramps are very common and can occur at any age, but severe cramps tend to occur more often in the late teens and early twenties. This type of abdominal pain usually begins when your period begins and peaks during the first day or two, when flow is heaviest. Some women also experience nausea, diarrhea or vomiting, fatigue, fever, headache, lower back pain and/or lightheadedness. In about 10% of women, cramps are so painful that they interfere with normal activities and prevent a woman from going to work or school.
Cause
Dysmenorrhea results from the release of chemicals called prostaglandins from the uterine lining cells. These chemicals cause contractions of the muscle wall of the uterus, which are felt as menstrual cramps. Women with severe dysmenorrhea tend to produce higher levels of prostaglandins.
Treatment Options
Since a number of conditions can cause severe pelvic pain, it is a good idea to have a pelvic examination by your doctor to rule out other possible causes. Once you know there is no abnormality, your can treat your cramps with an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDS) such as Advil, Aleve, Motrin or other brand of ibuprofin. NSAIDS work by blocking the formation of prostaglandins in the uterine lining cells; therefore, they work best if you take them just before your period or at the very onset of bleeding.
Birth control pills can help prevent painful periods because they tend to make the uterine lining cells thinner. This not only causes periods to be lighter and shorter, but also less painful since there are fewer cells to release prostaglandins.
Surgery is not recommended as a treatment for dysmenorrhea except in rare cases where pain is severe and unmitigated by other treatments. In such cases, your doctor may discuss the option of presacral neurectomy with you.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Gynecological Problems: Dysmenorrhea. 2006. www.acog.org/publications/patient_education.pdf/bp086.cfm.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Pelvic Pain: A Guide for Patients. Patient Information Series 1997. www.asrm.org/patients/patientbooklets/pelvicpain.pdf.
