Thursday, January 4, 2018

What To Do When You Are Having Dysmenorrhea?


Hi guys! So, how was your Christmas holiday went? Practically most of us who came from a holiday or even a long vacation always has this post-vacation mood, the tired feeling, you just wanted to lay down, slouch and enjoy the day doing nothing, it was difficult to switch back! But, we need to get up and return to our regular programming as they say. Let me share with you guys what I've experienced last night (not fun, or exciting at all, will understand if you will skip reading the rest,;)).

For me, I started my day yesterday slow. Since, it was the middle of the week already I was anticipating the coming weekend again, haha! I had plans last night after dinner, we were supposed to walk around the neighborhood and get some sweats going. But, our body really works mysteriously, I suddenly felt weak and felt a sharp, crushing pain in my lower abdomen. I was having dysmenorrhea! My body couldn't handle the pain, although my pain tolerance is that high. I rarely complain of pain and my family knows that, so when I am in one they know that my pain threshold really shoots down. 


Pain is usually the initial reaction to what is happening inside your body, the unpleasant feeling, emotionally and sensory. Our body usually reacts differently when we are in pain. It is normally described as the initial tail-tell signs of a patient. Facial grimace, touching and massaging the affected area of the body which is painful can be the basis of what part of the body is experiencing tissue damage. Pain can be classified to as a chronic pain which has two types; Nociceptive and Neuropathic pain. Other symptoms of dysmenorrhea; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness and general achiness.

Mine was a nociceptive pain, a sharp pain below the abdomen and near the pelvis. This is due to tissue sloughing of the mucosal and endometrial lining of the uterus that is in the combination of blood discharge, called menstruation. 

Although, menstruation is a slow process that normally lasts for seven days in a regular menstrual period. The body reacts differently from one to another, also varies from one cycle period within your body. There are days the menstruation comes like a typical day for a woman, but some periods may be different, just like what I've experienced last night. 

I was trying to divert all the pain to other things at home, I got myself busy in the kitchen cooking dinner, like my typical nights on a regular day. My mood was kinda low, though I am trying to be interesting to people at home, I even opened a Christmas gift from a friend last night, but my pain pulled me down even. I went to take a shower and decided to lay my body to rest, I was moving slowly because I can feel the pain when I move. You may ask, why did I let my body suffer the pain? Because, as a nurse, this is very normal for a woman to experience dysmenorrhea. I wasn't able to sleep well because of the on and off the pain I was having the whole night. There was a time that I was crying for awhile because I was so sleepy and felt the throbbing pain. 

So, what to do when you are having dysmenorrhea?

Like I've said, dysmenorrhea pain varies differently from one body to another,
but to relieve your body and mind from pain, you can be ready and prepare yourself once it sets. 
  • Know your calendar for your monthly period- this will prepare you emotionally and psychologically.
  • Study your pain threshold- you can have a baseline of what to expect when you are in pain.
  • Relax your body, don't panic!- control your body from panicking, divert your attention.
  • Hot shower and hot water bag or bottle- it relaxes the muscles and will increase blood flow to reduce pain. Applying hot water bottle directly to the lower abdomen. Making sure the bottle and the temperature of the water will not burn your skin.
  • Massage- it can help reduce pain and increase blood flow. Massaging the lower abdomen or the back has a positive effect on one's body experiencing dysmenorrhea.
  • Medication- anti-spasmodic and analgesic drugs can be helpful too. Both drugs are considered as pain reliever drugs. 
  • Support system- people around you should know what you are experiencing at the moment. They need to understand your situation and pain. Like earlier said, pain varies differently. 
For me, taking medication will be my last resort when dealing dysmenorrhea. 
Menstruation or monthly periods is a normal occurrence of a woman's body when one is not pregnant. Counter interacting the normal occurrence of the body using a drug can make you independent (again, this is for my case only). I will be resulting in taking medication when I cannot stand it anymore, or when I a doctor requires me to do so. 

My alarm went off this morning with lesser pain compared to last night. I have my hot bottle compress right now as I am writing this, and having even lesser pain.

What about you ladies, what are your struggles when you have that monthly period pains? How are you dealing with it? Any other tips you can share? 

If you reached this line, thank you for reading the whole post!  💓

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