What is dysmenorrhea? Dysmenorrhea is pain in the lower abdomen around or during menstruation, which may be accompanied by lumbago, lower abdominal cramps, or even nausea and vomiting, and can affect life and work in severe cases. The characteristics of abdominal pain are very closely related to menstruation. Dysmenorrhea, grow up / have children will be better? Not necessarily! There are two types of dysmenorrhea, one is primary dysmenorrhea, also known as functional dysmenorrhea, which often occurs in the period after menarche, mostly in unmarried or married women who are not pregnant, and the symptoms of dysmenorrhea can be reduced or disappear after a normal delivery. The other kind is called secondary dysmenorrhea, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, cervical stenosis, uterine malformation, hymenal atresia, vaginal transverse septum, pelvic stasis syndrome, etc.; symptomatic treatment of the cause of dysmenorrhea is needed to improve. Can I take painkillers for dysmenorrhea? The answer is yes! Primary dysmenorrhea is associated with high levels of prostaglandin (PG) release from the endometrium during menstruation. Therefore, by inhibiting prostaglandin synthase, the production of PG is reduced to alleviate or eliminate dysmenorrhea. However, care should be taken to give the medication continuously for 2 to 3 days before the onset of menstrual dysmenorrhea, as prostaglandins are released in the highest amount in the first 48h of menstruation. If the medication is not given continuously in the first 48h, but temporarily when the pain is present, the pain relief is less effective. Commonly used drugs in this class include Brofen and Disulfiram. Why did my doctor put me on birth control pills for menstrual pain? Why is it true that my doctor told me to take birth control pills when I am not married yet, saying that it can treat menstrual pain? The answer is also yes! Oral contraceptive pills inhibit the growth of the endometrium, reduce menstrual flow, inhibit ovulation, and lower PG levels in menstrual blood. Oral short-acting contraceptives are effective in treating primary dysmenorrhea (90% efficiency). Dosing method: 1 tablet daily for 21 days starting on day 5 of the menstrual cycle, especially for women with dysmenorrhea who also need contraception. How can TCM treat dysmenorrhea? According to traditional Chinese medicine, there are two types of dysmenorrhea, one is “pain if it does not pass”, generally this type of dysmenorrhea, mainly stabbing pain, swelling pain, blocked by cold, Qi stagnation, blood stasis, Qi and blood flow is not smooth; the second is “pain if it does not glory”, this type of dysmenorrhea is mainly hidden pain, accompanied by fatigue This type of dysmenorrhea is mainly hidden pain, accompanied by fatigue, weakness, dizziness, lumbar acidity, etc. However, there are many clinical cases where both of the above are intertwined. In the treatment, it is advisable to “pass” before menstruation, taking herbs to warm the menstruation and disperse cold, invigorate blood circulation and relieve pain one week before menstruation, which can effectively relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea. After menstruation, it is advisable to “tonify”. After menstruation, the sea of blood is empty, so it is advisable to take herbs to tonify qi and blood, benefit the kidneys and regulate flushing for one week, which can achieve the effect of treating both the symptoms and the root. This staged treatment method can save time and effectively treat dysmenorrhea, and is even more effective when combined with a footbath. What else should I pay attention to? Keep your mood relaxed – emotional discomfort can lead to Qi discomfort on the one hand, and on the other hand, tension over the pain caused by dysmenorrhea can cause prostaglandins (one of the causes of dysmenorrhea) to rise, further aggravating dysmenorrhea. So it is important to keep a happy mood. Diet and lifestyle habits Avoid cold, spicy and stimulating foods before and during menstruation, while paying attention to keeping warm, taking rest and avoiding strain and strenuous exercise. Putting baby warmers on the abdomen and lumbosacral area can also effectively relieve menstrual cramps. At the same time, patients with low menstrual flow can take ginger and brown sugar water and motherwort granules during menstruation to relieve dysmenorrhea.