Kenechukwu (Kenny) as fondly called by her friends is an accountant at one of these new generation banks. She is determined to make her career in her chosen profession, but she is slowed down by the pains she feels every month which reflects in her work output. She sometimes skips work on these days and this in turn results to some specific amount of money been deducted from her salary.
The pain she felt at that time of the month is referred to as menstrual pain; it is usually felt as a painful muscle cramp in the lower tummy. The pain is usually in intense spasms and other times it can be dull or constant. For some the pain comes before menstruation proper, for other it starts when bleeding begins and last for 2-3 days.
In the words of Dr. Okeke, painful menstruation or menorrhea is “ any sharp pain or aching pain that comes and goes or possibly pain in the lower abdomen or back. For most people period pain is normal but then the pain becomes too much it is not normal. It is basically caused by the brief moments of cut in oxygen to the contracting muscles.
Painful menstruation can either be primary or secondary, Primary menstruation comes around the time that menstrual periods first begin in otherwise healthy women, is the common constant monthly period cramp, the pain is not related to a specific problem as in the case of secondary menstruation, secondary menstruation on the other hand is the menstrual pain that is the underlying cause of endometritis, adenomysis or pelvic inflammatory disease it happens to women who have had normal period and it is related to problems in the uterus or in the pelvic.
The reason why some women experience more period pain than others is unknown, however if you have painful periods caused by an underlying condition, you may also have other symptoms such as irregular periods, bleeding in between periods, thick foul smelling vaginal discharge, pain during sex.
Whether primary or secondary, women who suffer painful menstruation, find it difficult to do their normal jobs, be it household, office related during those few days during that period.
What Are the Causes of Menstrual Pain?
There may not be an identifiable cause of your painful menstrual periods. Certain women are at a higher risk for having painful menstrual periods. However you are at risk of experiencing painful menstruation if are being under aged 20, having a family history of painful periods, smoking, having heavy bleeding with periods, having irregular periods, never having a baby, smoking, having heavy bleeding, having irregular periods, never having had a baby, having experienced puberty early, which is puberty before the age of eleven.
How To Take Care of Menstrual Pain (self-care)
1. Drink warm beverage
2. Eat light but frequent
3. Apply a heating pad to your lower belly area, below your belly button
4. Do a light circular massage with your fingertips around your belly area.
5. Keep your legs raised while lying down or lie on your side with your knees bent.
6. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.
7. Try over the counter drugs such as ibruprofen. I advise you start taking it a day before your period is expected and continue taking it regularly for the first few days of your period.
8. Have warm showers or bath.
9. Walk or exercise regularly
10. Try vitamin b6, calcium and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is from PMS.
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