Period pain is the pain most women encounter each month, some women even feel down when it is getting to their period time because of the pain, they go through each month. Some women’s pain is mild while some are so intense affecting their daily activities. Women experience pains and cramps before their period arrives "Scientists have finally discovered why periods hurt so much, following the research study into menstrual pain," The Independent reports.
The study suggests that the pain is caused by acute inflammation (swelling), as measured by the C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is a protein produced by the liver; its levels rise when there is inflammation present in the body.
In the research, they wanted to know if the pain is associated with the symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is the psychological, physical and behavioural symptoms that affect most women before their period, it occurs after ovulation and subside when the period comes. The symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome include bloating, breast pain, mood swings, irritation, poor concentration, headache, backaches, upset stomach, loss of confidence, anxiety, food craving and eating too much etc., which usually improve when the period starts and subsides finally few days after. PMS is not a life threatening but can affect quality of life. It is advisable to avoid smoking, overweight and obesity to help reduce PMS.
The study came out by researchers from the University of California, Davis, and was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) and published in the peer-viewed medical publication Journal of Women's Health. It is available on an open-access basis and can be read for free online.
Most symptoms were reported significantly more by obese women, those expose to smoking, and women with elevated depressive symptoms. Furthermore, it is concluded that middle-aged women with high CRP levels are more likely to have the symptoms of PMS.
How did the researchers interpret the results?
Advice:
- It is important to understand the condition first, keep a diary to be able to predict when the symptoms are due, and try to manage stress level.
- Make sure you have enough sleep and talk to family and friends so that they can understand your feelings during the period.
- Eating the right foods in small quantity to avoid bloating.
- Avoid eating junk food, fat, sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol and eat more starch, fibre, vegetables and fruits to help your stomach settle.
- Abstain from smoking, being overweight etc. can reduce PMS.
- It is recommended that women with mild symptoms can usually relieve the symptoms using over-the-counter painkillers.
- Self-care methods, such as eating smaller meals more frequently to help reduce bloating.
- It is advisable to see your GP, if the symptom is severe and it is affecting your daily work and routines.
Sources: NHS Choices
In the research, they wanted to know if the pain is associated with the symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which is the psychological, physical and behavioural symptoms that affect most women before their period, it occurs after ovulation and subside when the period comes. The symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome include bloating, breast pain, mood swings, irritation, poor concentration, headache, backaches, upset stomach, loss of confidence, anxiety, food craving and eating too much etc., which usually improve when the period starts and subsides finally few days after. PMS is not a life threatening but can affect quality of life. It is advisable to avoid smoking, overweight and obesity to help reduce PMS.
Advice:
- It is important to understand the condition first, keep a diary to be able to predict when the symptoms are due, and try to manage stress level.
- Make sure you have enough sleep and talk to family and friends so that they can understand your feelings during the period.
- Eating the right foods in small quantity to avoid bloating.
- Avoid eating junk food, fat, sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol and eat more starch, fibre, vegetables and fruits to help your stomach settle.
- Abstain from smoking, being overweight etc. can reduce PMS.
- It is recommended that women with mild symptoms can usually relieve the symptoms using over-the-counter painkillers.
- Self-care methods, such as eating smaller meals more frequently to help reduce bloating.
- It is advisable to see your GP, if the symptom is severe and it is affecting your daily work and routines.
This is nice.....love to see more of this
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information, very useful.
ReplyDeleteI had been in severe period pain menstrual cramps for more than 15 years, can't lay down, can't sit, periods was hell to me.
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