Treatments For Menstrual Pain
Fortunately, there are some ways to treat menstrual pain. Some of them are over-the-counter pain relievers, massage therapy, and a variety of treatments for endometriosis.
Massage therapy
Those who suffer from menstrual pain can look to massage therapy for relief. There are several studies that show the benefits of this type of treatment. Massage can help to relieve stress, improve blood circulation, and even relax aching muscles. Some women even find that it relieves menstrual cramps.
The most effective form of massage is one that targets the connective tissue in the pelvis. This may help to reduce menstrual pain without the use of medications.
A study found that massage therapy is effective in reducing menstrual pain in women with endometriosis. Women in the intervention group were significantly less likely to have pain during their menstrual cycle. In addition, the number of cramps that occurred during the period was significantly reduced.
A study found that massage is also effective at reducing the number of hormones released by the body. These hormones help to control pain. It may also help to reduce the number of uterine spasms.
Massage has also been found to increase blood flow to the pelvic area. This may help to relieve cramps and reduce back pain.
There is also evidence that massage stimulates the limbic system, which may help to alleviate menstrual pain. This may be because massage stimulates the release of feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin.
Another study found that the use of a slow deep breathing technique led to a reduction in menstrual pain. It also showed that women who had the slow deep breathing technique were more likely to be relaxed than those who did not. The trick is to breathe deeply while elevating your pelvis.
Massage has also been found to be effective at alleviating depression. In addition, it can reduce the number of missed work days that are associated with menstrual pain. Lastly, massage can also help to relieve anxiety.
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help you cope with menstrual cramps. However, before taking any medication, make sure you know the potential side effects.
Some over-the-counter medications contain acetaminophen, which blocks pain messages in the brain. However, it doesn’t reduce inflammation like other pain medications.
If you have severe menstrual cramps, your doctor may prescribe a stronger anti-inflammatory drug. In addition to heavy menstrual bleeding, you may also experience nausea, diarrhea, back pain, headache, and dizziness. If you take stronger medication, you may also be more likely to develop a condition called Reye’s Syndrome.
If you want to take an OTC pain reliever, make sure you read the label and follow the directions. You can also talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are effective in treating menstrual cramps. They block the enzymes that make prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that cause pain. These prostaglandins make the uterus contract, which can make it painful. However, NSAIDs can also make bleeding lighter and less painful.
You can also use a heating pad to help reduce pain. However, more research is needed to understand the effect of heat. You may also want to try a hot bath.
If you have a condition that causes pain, you may find that applying heat to the area doesn’t help as much. You can also try a topical pain medication that is applied to the skin. Some topical pain relievers contain lidocaine or aspirin, which may help to reduce pain.
When you take over-the-counter pain relievers, make sure you’re taking the recommended amount. If you take more than the recommended amount, the medicine won’t work as fast and could have dangerous side effects. You should also make a list of all the medications you take. This can help you alert your pharmacist about any possible drug interactions.
Dry needling vs sham needling
Several studies have compared dry needling with sham needling for pain management. Some studies suggest that dry needling is more effective than sham needling. But the evidence is mixed. The best evidence suggests that dry needling has a small but positive effect on pain and function, but the evidence is weak for long-term effects.
Dry needling is a method of using sterile stainless steel acupuncture needles to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Several studies have shown that dry needling can reduce pain, increase pressure pain thresholds, improve physical therapy tests, and even trigger point sensitivity. But there are few studies that examine the long-term effects of dry needling.
A recent systematic review looked at the effectiveness of dry needling compared to other treatments. It found that dry needling has a small but statistically significant effect on pain and function. However, the effect is weak on long-term results, leaving readers with more questions than answers. The systematic review is a useful guide for deciding whether dry needling is a good choice for your patient.
Dry needling has been used to treat myofascial trigger points and musculoskeletal pain. The method is also used to treat headaches. In one study, dry needling was used to reduce headache frequency and intensity. It also reduced headache duration and health-related quality of life.
A systematic review of the literature found that dry needling had a small effect on pain, but it was not the best evidence. In fact, only three studies showed a positive effect on pain, while only one showed a positive effect on function. In addition, most studies looked at a single symptom. This small effect is unlikely to be of much clinical relevance.
Dry needling is more effective than sham or placebo treatment. However, the best evidence suggests that dry needling is not the best method for treating musculoskeletal pain.
Surgical interruption of pelvic nerve pathways
Surgical interruption of pelvic nerve pathways for menstrual pain is a surgical procedure used to relieve midline pain related to menses and nonmenstrual pain. The procedure may be performed through a laparoscopic approach or a vaginal route.
Pelvic nerve pathways are the pathways that receive nerve impulses from the sympathetic nervous system. The pathways originate from the thoracic vertebrae and uterosacral ligaments. They are also associated with the first lumbar segment. In addition, these pathways receive impulses from the pelvic splanchnic nerves.
Surgical interruption of these pathways is not considered a common treatment for menstrual pain. However, this procedure has been performed to alleviate pain in endometriosis patients. In addition, it has been shown to improve the quality of life in endometriosis patients.
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation (LUNA) with open PSN. The LUNA surgery was found to be effective in primary dysmenorrhea after 12 months of follow-up. However, the difference between LUNA and PSN was not significant at six months of follow-up.
A systematic review was published by Latthe et al. They identified nine RCTs evaluating surgical interruption of pelvic nerve pathways. The trials included 773 women and all but two used standard techniques.
The review found that laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation is not a well-defined procedure. However, it is considered an experimental treatment. It is performed under general anesthesia and involves the transsection of the uterosacral ligaments. It also requires a stretching of the ligament.
In addition, Latthe et al. found that surgical interruption of pelvic nerve pathways may have different effects depending on the type of dysmenorrhea that is treated. For example, in refractory primary dysmenorrhea, nifedipine or leuprolide may be used.
Endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea
Identifying the cause of endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea is important in reducing the pain associated with the menstrual cycle. The initial evaluation of dysmenorrhea patients includes a detailed gynecologic history and physical examination, as well as a psychosocial assessment.
The pain of dysmenorrhea is due to the presence of prostaglandins, chemicals that cause inflammation in the body. The prostaglandins, when released, hypersensitize the fibers in the pelvic lining. As a result, the uterine blood flow becomes compromised, causing pain.
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when endometrial tissue implants outside of the uterus. It can cause internal bleeding, as well as pelvic pain. It can also affect fertility.
Endometriosis can be diagnosed by pelvic examination, genital cultures, or laparoscopy. If endometriosis is suspected, hormone therapy or oral contraceptives may be used. It’s important to note that some patients don’t respond to medications and may require surgery.
Non-pharmacologic treatments can help reduce the pain of dysmenorrhea, but they are not as effective as medications. The overall approach to managing dysmenorrhea should include skillful manipulation of pharmacotherapy and psychologic factors.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most effective medications for treating dysmenorrhea. However, they cannot be used for long-term effective therapy. NSAIDs are most effective when started as soon as bleeding starts. They can be taken on a regular schedule for two to three days. NSAIDs should not be used in pregnancy.
Other forms of treatment may include dietary supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and valerian. However, there is limited evidence for the benefits of these supplements. Moreover, some medications may raise the risk of bleeding. Whether a patient chooses a medication or non-pharmacologic therapy, it’s important to discuss options with her physician.
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