What can be causing my sever menstrual cramps?!
Question: I have sever menstrual cramps. I had them since I started at age ten. After I had my first child, they went away but now they are back. This time it hurts severely on my right side, right above my leg. Naproxen and over the counter medicines do not help. The pain usually last about two days.
Answers:
Sounds like hallmark Endometriosis.
From the Endometriosis Research Center @ www.endocenter.org:
"About Endometriosis:
With Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, these implants have no way of leaving the body. The implants still break down and bleed, but result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin - and even the brain.
Despite today's age of medical advances, researchers remain unsure as what causes of Endometriosis. There is NO CURE, despite the continued propagation of such myths by the uninformed who still mistakenly believe that hysterectomy, pregnancy and/or menopause can "cure" the disease. Invasive surgery remains the gold standard of diagnosis, and current therapies continue to remain extremely limited, often carrying side effects.
Mistakenly minimized as "painful periods," Endometriosis is more than just "killer cramps." It is a leading cause of female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery, and accounts for more than half of the 500,000 hysterectomies performed in the US annually. Despite being more prevalent than breast cancer, Endometriosis continues to be treated as an insignificant ailment. Recent studies have even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and other serious illnesses in those with the disease, as well as malignant changes within the disease itself.
Recent research indicates that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may be contributing factors to the development of the disease. Endometriosis knows no racial or socioeconomic barriers, and can affect women ranging from adolescence to post-menopause. The disease can be so painful as to render a woman or teen unable to care for herself or her family, attend work, school, or social functions, or go about her normal routine. It can negatively affect every aspect of a woman's life; from her self-esteem and relationships, to her capacity to bear children, to her ability to be a contributing member of society.
The disease can currently only be diagnosed through invasive surgery, and the average delay in diagnosis is a staggering 9 years. A patient may seek the counsel of 5 or more physicians before her pain is adequately addressed. Once diagnosed, it is not unusual for a patient to undergo several pelvic surgeries and embark on many different hormonal and medical therapies in an attempt to treat her symptoms. None of the current treatments are entirely effective, and virtually all synthetic therapies carry significantly negative side effects; some lasting far beyond cessation of therapy. The exception to this is excision; see www.centerforendo.com to learn more about excision as the leading treatment.
Though Endometriosis is one of the most prevalent illnesses affecting society today, awareness is sorely lacking and disease research continues to remain significantly under funded. For instance, in fiscal year 2000, the National Institutes of Health planned to spend $16.5 billion on research. Of that funding, only $2.7 million was earmarked for Endometriosis - amounting to approximately $.40/patient. This is in stark contrast to other illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Lupus, which received approximately $105.00 and $30.00 per patient, respectively. American businesses lose millions of dollars each year in lost productivity and work time because of Endometriosis. The cost of surgery required to diagnose the disease in each patient alone adds greatly to the financial burden of both consumers and companies alike.
Due in part to the efforts of foundations like the ERC, research is ongoing in some places as to the causes of Endometriosis and potential cures for the disease. Our organization will continue to push for more widespread research into the many facets of the disease, and ultimately, a cure.
For more information:
http://www.endocenter.org/endofaq.htm.
Endometriosis Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/surgery%20.
Surgery versus the Use of Lupron Depot as Treatment
http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/prediagnos.
Use of Lupron Depot Prior to Surgical Diagnosis
http://www.endocenter.org/request.htm.
We have extensive materials on all aspects of the disease available; choose your items of interest today
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc.
ERC General Support Listserv – come share with others who understand
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ercgirltal.
ERC's Girl Talk Listserv, for those under 25
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/end.
To obtain patient to patient doctor referrals
Not sure if you have Endometriosis? While pelvic surgery is the only current way to definitively diagnose it, symptoms can lead you and your doctor to suspect the disease. Review the following and consider if any of these common symptoms apply to you. Review your answers with your gynecologist for further discussion.
Do you experience so much pain during or around your period that you find yourself unable to work, attend school or social functions, or go about your normal routine? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you have any relatives diagnosed with Endometriosis? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you find yourself with painful abdominal bloating, swelling or tenderness at any time in your cycle? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you have a history of painful ovarian Endometriomas ("chocolate cysts")? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you have a history of miscarriage, infertility or ectopic pregnancy? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you experience gastrointestinal symptoms during your cycle, such as nausea or vomiting and/or painful abdominal cramping accompanied by diarrhea and/or constipation? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you have a history of fatigue and/or a lowered immunity (i.e., "sick and tired" all the time)? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you have a history of allergies, which tend to worsen around your periods? _____YES / _____ NO
If sexually active, do you experience pain during sexual activity? _____YES / _____ NO
Do you suffer from autoimmune diseases or other conditions (i.e., thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, chronic migraines)? _____YES / _____ NO
Have you ever undergone pelvic surgery like a laparoscopy, in which Endometriosis was suspected but not definitively diagnosed?
_____YES / _____ NO
If you have answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may have Endometriosis. Talk to your doctor about getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment today. Dull aching and cramping can occur during menstruation in many women and teens, due to uterine contractions and the release of various hormones including those known as prostaglandins. However, period pain that becomes so debilitating it renders you unable to go about your normal routine is not ordinary or typical! Pain is your body's way of signaling that something is WRONG. If you are suffering from pelvic pain at any point in your cycle, an Endometriosis diagnosis should be considered.
Know the Facts:
- Endometriosis can affect women and teens of all ages, even those as young as 10 or as old as 85!
- Hysterectomy, menopause and pregnancy are NOT cures for Endometriosis; in fact, there is no definitive cure!
- Delayed childbearing is NOT what causes Endometriosis; in fact, no one really knows for sure what causes the disease, but research points to multi-factorial origins like heredity, immunology and exposure to environmental toxicants!
- Endometriosis can only be accurately diagnosed via surgery; diagnostic tests like MRIs and ultrasounds are not definitive!
- GnRH therapies like Lupron should never be administered in those patients younger than 18 yrs. of age or before a surgical diagnosis!
- You CAN live well in spite of Endometriosis. WE ARE HERE TO HELP!"
Hope that helps.
Other Answers:
Diet, Stress, ulcers, fibroyds, too much salt, not enough exercise, or a combination. Or maybe it is just part of your make-up and a medicine is required to make you more regular and reduce the symptoms - anyway talk with your dr about it.
i guess lots of things could cause that. but i have a friend who had such serious menstrual cramps that she would have to miss work or school for the first day because it hurt so bad all down her legs and abdomen.
she found that she was allergic to wheat and when she stopped eating it her cramps were no big deal anymore. severe menstrual cramps are a sign of selyacs disease, or the inability to process wheat. maybe for three days before your period starts, stop eating wheat and see what happens.
it's a long shot, but good luck!
If you are having menstrual cramps which are not eased by over the counter pain medication, you should probably see your health care provider. You may have endometriosis, which is treatable. I urge you to see your provider soon.
Answers: