What are the main causes of joint pain in women. How do hormones affect joint pain in females. Why do women experience more joint pain than men. What are the best treatment options for joint pain in women. How can women manage joint pain effectively.

The Prevalence of Joint Pain in Women

Joint pain is a widespread health issue that affects millions of people worldwide, but research indicates that women are disproportionately affected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70 million Americans suffer from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms, with 41 million of these individuals being women. This striking disparity raises important questions about the factors contributing to joint pain in women and the unique challenges they face in managing this condition.

Key Statistics on Joint Pain in Women

• 60% of the 27 million Americans with osteoarthritis are women
• Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately three times more women than men
• Women are nine times more likely to develop lupus
• Scleroderma is three times more common in women
• Multiple sclerosis affects twice as many women as men
• Fibromyalgia is eight times more prevalent in women

These statistics highlight the significant gender gap in joint pain and related conditions, underscoring the need for targeted research and treatment approaches for women.

Understanding the Causes of Joint Pain in Women

The higher prevalence of joint pain in women can be attributed to various factors, including biological differences, hormonal influences, and certain medical conditions that disproportionately affect females. By examining these causes, we can gain a better understanding of why women are more susceptible to joint pain and develop more effective strategies for prevention and treatment.

Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune disorders play a significant role in joint pain among women. These conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and pain. Some of the most common autoimmune conditions that cause joint pain in women include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Lupus
• Scleroderma
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

The reasons behind the higher prevalence of autoimmune disorders in women are not fully understood, but researchers believe that hormonal factors and genetic predisposition may play a role.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects more women than men, especially after menopause. This degenerative joint disease occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. Women may be more susceptible to OA due to several factors:

• Hormonal changes during menopause
• Differences in joint structure and alignment
• Greater joint flexibility and laxity
• Higher rates of obesity, which puts additional stress on joints

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition that affects women at a much higher rate than men. While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, it is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas of the body. The condition often coexists with other joint pain disorders, further complicating diagnosis and treatment.

The Estrogen-Joint Pain Connection

Hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role in women’s experience of joint pain. Estrogen, in particular, has been identified as a key player in pain perception and modulation. Dr. Tarvez Tucker, a pain specialist and director of the Pain Clinic at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, notes that “Women typically feel pain more intensively, more often, and in more parts of the body than men.” This heightened pain sensitivity is believed to be closely tied to estrogen levels.

Estrogen’s Protective Effect

Estrogen is thought to have a protective effect against pain. During pregnancy, when estrogen levels are at their highest, many women with chronic pain conditions experience a reduction in symptoms. Dr. Tucker explains, “Estrogen is believed to be protective against pain. It peaks during pregnancy, probably to protect women from the pain of childbirth.” This protective effect is further evidenced by the fact that approximately 80% of women with rheumatoid arthritis experience a remission of symptoms during pregnancy.

Menstrual Cycle and Joint Pain

Many women with joint pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and fibromyalgia, report an increase in pain just before or during their menstrual periods. This cyclical pattern of pain is likely due to the dramatic drop in estrogen levels that occurs right before menstruation. As estrogen levels rise again after the menstrual period, many women experience a reduction in joint pain.

Postpartum and Menopausal Joint Pain

The postpartum period and menopause are two stages in a woman’s life when significant hormonal changes occur, often leading to increased joint pain. During the postpartum period, the rapid decline in estrogen levels can trigger flare-ups in women with autoimmune conditions. Similarly, the hormonal shifts during menopause can exacerbate existing joint pain or contribute to the onset of new pain conditions.

Physiological Factors Contributing to Joint Pain in Women

While hormones play a significant role in women’s experience of joint pain, other physiological factors also contribute to their increased vulnerability. Understanding these factors can help in developing more targeted treatment approaches and pain management strategies for women.

Brain Chemistry and Pain Perception

Research suggests that female brains may be wired differently when it comes to pain processing. Dr. Patrick Wood, a pain researcher at Louisiana State University and medical advisor to the National Fibromyalgia Association, explains, “Studies have found that females release less of the brain chemical dopamine in response to painful stimulation. Without dopamine, endorphins can’t function effectively.” This difference in brain chemistry may explain why women often experience pain more intensely than men.

Structural Differences

Anatomical differences between men and women can also contribute to certain types of joint pain. For example, women are more prone to osteoarthritis of the knee. Dr. Bruce Solitar, a rheumatologist at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, explains, “Women tend to be more limber and loose-jointed than men, so there’s more movement in that area, increasing the risk that the kneecap will rub on the bones below it.” This increased joint mobility may lead to a higher risk of wear and tear on the knee joint, potentially resulting in osteoarthritis symptoms.

Medication and Treatment Considerations for Women with Joint Pain

Given the unique factors influencing joint pain in women, it’s crucial to consider gender-specific approaches to medication and treatment. Women may respond differently to certain pain medications and may require tailored treatment plans to effectively manage their symptoms.

Hormonal Influences on Medication Efficacy

Fluctuating hormone levels can affect how medications are metabolized and distributed in a woman’s body. This can lead to variations in the effectiveness of pain medications throughout the menstrual cycle. In some cases, women may require higher doses or more frequent administration of pain relievers to achieve the same level of pain relief as men.

Digestive System Differences

Women’s digestive systems tend to be slower than men’s, which can impact the absorption and effectiveness of oral medications. Pain relievers may take longer to pass through the digestive tract in women, resulting in a more prolonged absorption process. This can affect the timing and dosage of pain medications, requiring adjustments to ensure optimal pain management.

Personalized Treatment Approaches

Given the complex interplay of factors influencing joint pain in women, a personalized approach to treatment is essential. This may involve:

• Regular monitoring of hormone levels and adjusting medication dosages accordingly
• Combining pharmacological treatments with non-pharmacological interventions such as physical therapy, exercise, and stress reduction techniques
• Considering hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women when appropriate
• Addressing coexisting conditions that may exacerbate joint pain, such as depression or anxiety
• Exploring alternative and complementary therapies that may be particularly beneficial for women with joint pain

Empowering Women to Manage Joint Pain Effectively

While joint pain may disproportionately affect women, there are numerous strategies that can help them effectively manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. By taking a proactive approach to their health and working closely with healthcare providers, women can develop comprehensive pain management plans tailored to their unique needs.

Education and Self-Advocacy

Knowledge is power when it comes to managing joint pain. Women should educate themselves about their specific condition, its potential triggers, and available treatment options. Dr. Tucker emphasizes, “Women need to be aware of these factors, ask the right questions, and be persistent about getting an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.” By becoming informed advocates for their own health, women can ensure they receive the most appropriate and effective care.

Lifestyle Modifications

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly impact joint pain management. Some beneficial lifestyle changes include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on joints
• Engaging in regular low-impact exercise to improve joint flexibility and strength
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga
• Following an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables
• Getting adequate sleep to support the body’s natural healing processes

Tracking Symptoms and Triggers

Keeping a detailed record of joint pain symptoms, their intensity, and potential triggers can provide valuable insights for both women and their healthcare providers. This information can help identify patterns related to hormonal fluctuations, stress levels, or other factors that may exacerbate joint pain. With this knowledge, women can work with their doctors to develop more targeted and effective treatment strategies.

Future Directions in Women’s Joint Pain Research and Treatment

As our understanding of the unique factors influencing joint pain in women continues to grow, there is a need for ongoing research and innovation in this field. Future directions may include:

• Developing gender-specific pain medications that account for hormonal influences
• Exploring the potential of hormone therapy in managing joint pain in women
• Investigating the genetic factors that make women more susceptible to autoimmune disorders
• Conducting large-scale clinical trials focusing specifically on women with joint pain
• Developing more precise diagnostic tools to identify and differentiate various causes of joint pain in women

By advancing our knowledge in these areas, we can hope to develop more effective, targeted treatments that address the unique challenges faced by women with joint pain.

Joint Pain and Women – Women’s Health

Everyone gets the occasional ache or pain — a little soreness in the shoulder, a twinge in the knee — but research shows that women are more frequently and often more severely affected than men. The CDC estimates that from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms affect more than 70 million Americans, 41 million of whom are women. A number of factors contribute to this disparity: Women are more apt than men to have conditions that cause joint pain, experience hormone fluctuations that affect their vulnerability, and may not be physiologically equipped to deal with pain.

Causes of Joint Pain in Women

Of the nearly 27 million Americans with osteoarthritis (AO), 60 percent are women. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease, strikes approximately three times more women than men. Other autoimmune conditions that cause joint pain, such as lupus, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis (MS), also hit women harder than men: Women are nine times more likely to develop lupus, three times more likely to have scleroderma, and twice as likely to suffer from MS. And fibromyalgia, a little understood condition that can cause joint pain, affects women eight times more frequently than men.

The Estrogen-Joint Pain Connection

“Women typically feel pain more intensively, more often, and in more parts of the body than men,” says Tarvez Tucker, MD, a pain specialist and director of the Pain Clinic at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, in Lexington. Female hormones are believed to play a role in women’s high vulnerability to pain. Many women with OA, RA, lupus, and fibromyalgia report an increase in joint pain just before or during their periods. This is likely because estrogen levels plummet right before menstruation and rise again after a woman’s period is over. “Estrogen is believed to be protective against pain,” says Dr. Tucker. “It peaks during pregnancy, probably to protect women from the pain of childbirth.” Some research shows that 80 percent of women with RA experience a remission of symptoms during pregnancy and a flare-up when estrogen dips during the postpartum period. Additionally, reproductive hormones are suspected as factors in the high incidence of autoimmune diseases in women since conditions such as RA and lupus are most common during the childbearing years.

Women’s Bodies and Joint Pain

Hormones are only part of the picture, however. Female brains may be wired for pain. It’s thought that endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, work more effectively in men than in women. “Studies have found that females release less of the brain chemical dopamine in response to painful stimulation. Without dopamine, endorphins can’t function effectively,” says Patrick Wood, MD, a pain researcher at Louisiana State University, in Shreveport, and medical advisor to the National Fibromyalgia Association.

Female structural differences may contribute to some kinds of joint pain, too. For example, women are more prone to osteoarthritis of the knee. One possible explanation: “Women tend to be more limber and loose-jointed than men, so there’s more movement in that area, increasing the risk that the kneecap will rub on the bones below it,” notes Bruce Solitar, MD, a rheumatologist at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, in New York City. This may lead to osteoarthritis symptoms in the knee area.

Joint Pain Medication and Women

Women react differently than men to some medications for relieving joint pain. For example, fluctuating hormone levels can reduce the amount of medicine circulating in the bloodstream, which means that women may need more of the standard dose. Plus, female digestive systems are slower, causing certain medications (like pain relievers) to take more time to pass through the digestive tract where they’re absorbed more fully. And because pain sensitivity increases right before a woman’s period, more pain-relieving medicine may be required at this time of the month. “Women need to be aware of these factors, ask the right questions, and be persistent about getting an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment,” says Dr. Tucker. By becoming educated about how joint pain affects them, women can increase the odds of finding relief and getting the best health care possible.

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Your Period, Menstrual Cycle, and Arthritis Flares: What’s the Connection?

Eileen Davidson doesn’t need a calendar to predict the start of her period. In the days leading up to it, she gets bloated, gassy, and ravenous for really bad foods. Her acne flares up, her mood becomes more irritable, and her sleep gets disrupted.

This PMS struggle is real for many women, but for Eileen, who is a patient advocate in the CreakyJoints community and lives with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this time of the month feels extra tough.

“Night sweats set in about a week or so before, and get worse the closer to my period,” says Eileen, 34. When her sleep is poor, she’s more tired and sedentary during the day, which often exacerbates her rheumatoid arthritis pain.

“I also notice more inflammation in my hands and feet, and tend to run a mild fever,” explains Eileen, who was diagnosed with RA in 2015. “When my period arrives, the night sweats calm down, but the fever and fatigue continue.”

Eileen is not alone: In one study that included 267 members of the CreakyJoints community and its ArthritisPower patient research registry, nearly half of respondents (most of whom had RA) felt that their arthritis disease activity varied over the course of their menstrual cycle, with the worst flares occurring several days prior to or during menstruation.

“Anecdotally, many women note worsening of symptoms primarily during the week or so that is the premenstrual part of the cycle into the menses,” says Lisa R. Sammaritano, MD, a rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. But scientifically the link between menstrual cycles and inflammatory arthritis flares remains unclear.

How Your Menstrual Cycle May Affect Inflammatory Arthritis Flares

Experts agree that more research is needed, but there are some theories.

Fluctuating Hormone Levels

Research suggests that variations in hormone levels that occur during your menstrual cycle may influence arthritis disease activity and the severity of symptoms.

In the days leading up to and during your period, levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are low. One small study published in the journal Rheumatology found that women with RA reported increased pain, fatigue, and disease activity right before their period. Those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experienced similar symptom flares during menses.

After your period, estrogen levels rise, peaking right before ovulation (which occurs mid-cycle, when your ovaries release an egg). During ovulation, estrogen dips; then afterward, both estrogen and progesterone levels steadily increase as your body prepares for a potential pregnancy.

Women have reported that their inflammatory arthritis symptoms improve several days after and up to two weeks after their period. One study found morning stiffness was reduced in RA patients during the post-ovulatory phase, when these female hormones were high.

Toward the end of your menstrual cycle, if the egg isn’t fertilized and you’re not pregnant, both estrogen and progesterone plummet again — this is your premenstrual (PMS) week.

Women who are pregnant, however, have reported decreased disease activity during pregnancy — when estrogen hormones and progesterone levels remain high — and may experience flares postpartum, when those hormone levels decrease.

“It seems likely that hormones may impact disease activity directly, such as by promoting or alleviating inflammation,” says Dr. Sammaritano. They may have a systemic effect on the immune system, as well as within the joint.

Pain Perception

Another potential connection between flares in arthritis symptoms and your period is pain perception. When estrogen levels are low, women may report more pain, according to some research.

In one study of 20 women with chronic pain, researchers found rated pain significantly higher in the menstrual and premenstrual phases than in the mid-menstrual and ovulatory phases. “It may be that a change in pain threshold contributes to pain and fatigue during the premenstrual phase, in addition to a true increase in inflammation. ” says Dr. Sammaritano.

Can Oral Contraceptive Pills Ease Arthritis Flares?

The jury is out on this, too: Some research suggests oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) may ease pain and improve function in women with RA. In one study from researchers in Iran, 100 women with rheumatoid arthritis were randomized to take birth control pills or a placebo for eight weeks. Researchers measured patients’ tender and swollen joints, blood levels of inflammation, and self-reports of pain at the beginning and end of the study period. They found that those on the birth control pills reported improvements in disease activity compared to those taking placebo pills.

Other studies have shown conflicting results. In the survey of CreakyJoints and ArthritisPower members with inflammatory arthritis, of those who used oral contraceptive pills, 70 percent of the women did not report changes, fewer than 10 percent reported improvement, and slightly more than 10 percent reported worsening of symptoms.

Talk to your rheumatologist to determine the risks and benefits and if OCPs are right for you.

How to Ease Arthritis Flares During Your Period

You know your when your body is going through PMS, and likely have some go-to strategies for helping to ease symptoms. If you get bloated, you cut back on salty foods and opt for elastic-waist sweatpants instead of jeans. If you get cranky, you might do a little more yoga to reduce stress.

If you suspect that your approaching period exacerbates arthritis symptoms, here are ways to help ease flares:

Follow your prescribed RA treatment plan

Keeping your RA disease activity under control will help reduce inflammation in your body. That’s one less factor possibly contributing to pain, mood swings, sleep disruption, and more.

Ask about pain medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. If you aren’t already taking these medications regularly for arthritis-related pain, says Dr. Sammaritano, your doctor may suggest adding it to your regimen the week before your period. Talk to your health care provider to see if this is appropriate and safe for you.

Remember that even over-the-counter NSAIDs can have side effects, such as stomach problems (pain, constipation, diarrhea, ulcers) and more. Make sure you follow dosing instructions and that your doctor knows about all the medications and supplements you take.

Track your symptoms

That’s what Eileen did to help her better understand her menstrual cycle and how it affected her overall health. “If you know exactly how RA symptoms get worse around your period, you can be a little more proactive,” says Nilanjana Bose, MD, MBA, a rheumatologist at the Rheumatology Center of Houston in Texas. For instance, maybe you take extra care to eat well or avoid other arthritis triggers, she says.

You can use our ArthritisPower app to track your symptoms and disease activity and share your results with your doctor.

Carve out time for gentle exercise

The benefit is twofold: Exercise not only helps ease PMS symptoms (such as mood changes and difficulty concentrating), but it can strengthen the muscles around your joints, improve flexibility, and fight fatigue.

“I do some gentle movement every hour to prevent stiffness and relieve pain,” says Davidson.

Apply heat or cold

A warm compress can help ease pain and stiffness, cold can help ease inflammatory symptoms, such as swelling. Try both to see which works best for you or alternate between the two. Here are simple ways to do hot therapy and cold therapy at home.

Give yourself a break

“My period can take so much out of me,” says Eileen. “It can feel like a daunting task trying to refresh myself.” But she allows her body the time it needs to rest and makes it a point during this time to be kind and gentle to herself. “I remind myself that this will pass,” she says.

Muscles hurt during menstruation – Body aches before menstruation

1. home

2. About the pain

3. Periodic pain

August 30, 2021
Period pain

Many women are told about the imminent onset of menstruation not only
calendar, but also the appearance of premenstrual symptoms, which can
disrupt the habitual way of life. One of the symptoms is pain and aches in the muscles.
Let’s find out why there is muscle pain before and during menstruation,
what else can cause such complaints and how you can alleviate the condition.

Why does the whole body hurt during menstruation?

Pain during menstruation is a common phenomenon, its frequency
reaches 90% ¹ . In addition to the classic menstrual pains in
abdomen, women may experience pain in the joints, lower extremities, back
and muscles, feeling of numbness of hands and feet, coldness
limbs ^2.14 . For some, pain may occur sporadically, and
some are stalked throughout their reproductive
age ⁹ . Causes of muscle pain and body aches during menstruation
may be different.

During adolescence and young age

Relative hyperestrogenism

excess estrogen against the background of insufficient production of progesterone ³ . Estrogens
increase uterine contractions, while progesterone, on the contrary, inhibits
excessive contractile activity. With a lack in the body
progesterone increases the action of prostaglandins, which cause spasm
myometrium and muscles of other pelvic organs. Prostaglandins work
on nerve endings, due to which susceptibility to pain is greatly
increases ^3.4 . This is the mechanism of development, the so-called primary dysmenorrhea,
which usually occurs in adolescence 1-3 years after
menarche, with the onset of ovulation ² .

Vitamin deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to cause myopathy (muscle damage)
¹⁵ . Atrophy of individual muscle groups can provoke
mechanical stress in intact muscles due to their overload, which can
be the basis for the formation of pain zones in the muscles ¹⁵ . Besides,
increased perception of pain may be due to a lack of B vitamins
B, which normally have a neuroprotective, sedative and analgesic effect
action ^16.17 .

Weak connective tissue syndrome

May be associated with congenital or acquired magnesium deficiency ¹⁸ .
Magnesium deficiency is possible with hyperestrogenism, when the mineral is intensely
washed out of the bone tissue. Violation of magnesium metabolism leads to an increase
the rate of collagen breakdown, which occurs with connective dysplasia
fabric, which in 9times the risk of developing primary dysmenorrhea
for girls ⁶ .

Risk factors for developing muscle pain during
dysmenorrhea characteristic of adult age

Gynecological pathology and previous
operations . A common cause of muscle pain, especially affecting
pelvic floor muscles, is a gynecological pathology ⁸ . At
this chronic pain is localized in the lower abdomen, lower back, in
region of the sacrum. Pain can spread to muscles and fascia from the focus
inflammation or endometriosis in the pelvis, causing symptoms of secondary
dysmenorrhea ^{2. 9} .

Chronic inflammatory process of small organs
pelvis can lead to secondary endocrine disorders, decrease
progesterone synthesis and lowering the threshold of pain sensitivity due to
prolonged existence of pain ⁹ .

Degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral
spine section . If the lower spine is affected, then
pain can spread to the pelvic organs and legs. So, when involved in
pathological process of the lumbar roots pain, sensations
tingling, burning in the thighs, groin, lower abdomen, external
genitals, knees and legs. Muscle pain may accompany
osteochondrosis and other degenerative diseases of the lower part
spine. Due to pain, the muscle contracts, tenses, muscle
spasm, and the spasm makes the pain worse ¹⁰ .

Perimenopausal

Decrease in the level of sex hormones

In women during the menopausal transition, work gradually fades
ovaries, the number of follicles decreases, the production of female
sex hormones. Without estrogen, muscle mass decreases
fibers, degenerative processes begin in the muscles. Decreased muscle
strength, endurance, fatigue quickly appears. No estrogen protection
metabolism is disturbed: the sensitivity of muscle cells decreases
to glucose, lipid metabolism is disturbed, in the vessels that feed the muscles,
the process of fat deposition begins. Muscles starve without glucose
and against the background of insufficient blood circulation, processes are activated
oxidation, which is manifested by muscle pain and swelling ¹¹ .

Exacerbation of inflammatory diseases of the joints

During menstruation, the body releases inflammatory mediators:
prostaglandins, interleukins, cytokines, which can lead to
exacerbation of chronic musculoskeletal diseases. laboratory
C-reactive protein is an indicator of an acute inflammatory process.
(SRP). Its highest content is recorded during menstruation.
It has been observed that the more severe the menstrual symptoms
(especially mood swings and pain), the higher the content
SRP ¹² .

Osteoporosis

Articular and, consequently, muscle pain, may manifest
osteoporosis. Against the background of estrogen deficiency, bone metabolism is disturbed:
the process of its formation slows down, and its destruction is activated. In
Osteoporosis is more common during menopause than during other
life periods. Bone tissue is a storehouse of minerals, for example:
calcium, magnesium, phosphorus. Deficiency of these minerals can manifest
painful cramps in the calf muscles ¹¹ .

Premenstrual syndrome and body pain

PMS may present with muscle pain in combination with other symptoms.
The prevalence of PMS varies from 18% to 92%, and the age of the highest
vulnerability varies between 25 and 35 years ⁷ . As intended by nature,
for its optimal functioning, a mature female body must be under
well-coordinated and rather monotonous effect of sex hormones. This means,
that a woman from the beginning of menstruation to menopause must be either pregnant,
either by a nursing mother, and hormone fluctuations are allowed only for
conception ³ .

At present, such a large number
pregnancies are rare, so menstrual cycles are accompanied
sharp hormonal fluctuations ³ . premenstrual syndrome and
dysmenorrhea often coexist. Perhaps they are combined
general mechanisms of development, including the role of prostaglandins. Besides,
they are linked by psychosocial factors: dysmenorrhea pain
provokes negative thoughts that make them even more pronounced
manifestations of PMS ¹ .

PMS is more likely to develop in
women engaged in mental work, suffering from vegetative
dystonia, 4 times more often – with a lack of body weight ⁷ .

Classification
syndrome

Painful periods are not the norm, but a disease that is called
“dysmenorrhea”. Especially severe dysmenorrhea can occur accompanied by
premenstrual syndrome, when a set of painful, painful symptoms
expands. In addition, dysmenorrhea can act as a bright
a sign of other pathological processes in the body that are aggravated
during menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea occurs

² :

• Primary. Considered a functional disorder because
  no damage to the structure of the reproductive organs can be identified.
  May begin as early as adolescence, 1–3 years after the first
  menses.
• Secondary. Symptoms often appear several years after onset
  monthly. Secondary dysmenorrhea always has an organic cause –
  changes in the pelvic organs: inflammation, endometriosis, adhesions.
  The influence of external factors is not excluded, for example, the use
  intrauterine device, etc. ¹

Also manifestations of dysmenorrhea vary in severity

² :

• Mild — pain is mild, daily activity is not reduced.
• Moderate Significant pain, decreased daily activities,
  which can be maintained by taking painkillers.
• Severe – in addition to severe pain, there are other symptoms (headache
  pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.). Painkillers are ineffective.

Treatment of dysmenorrhea

Treatment of dysmenorrhea using drugs in combination with non-drug
methods. Non-drug therapy should begin with lifestyle changes.
It is recommended to exclude psycho-emotional and physical overloads,
long (7-8 hours) night sleep, moderate physical activity is required
load. A good result is walking, jogging, cycling.
You can choose an activity according to your interests – dancing, step aerobics, yoga ^4,
7.14 .

Foods that contribute to fluid retention should be removed from the menu.
body (salt, sugar, alcohol), and to improve digestion it is worth
add complex carbohydrates (cereals, nuts, cereals) and fiber (vegetables,
fruit) ^{4, 7} :

Is it possible to self-medicate?

In most cases, without pharmacotherapy aimed at normalization
menstrual cycle and a decrease in the level of prostaglandins, bypass
not possible ¹² . For treatment to be effective, it is important
to establish the cause of pain, their nature and other features of the body.
Therefore, there is no need to postpone the visit to the doctor until later.

Drug treatment

Several groups are used to treat dysmenorrhea
preparations ^3.9 :

• multivitamins;
• preparations of magnesium;
• nonsteroidal analgesics;
• antispasmodics;
• hormonal preparations (combined oral contraceptives,
  gestagens) and others.

Although the treatment of muscle soreness should be individualized in
each case, it usually starts with painkillers. As
non-narcotic pain reliever (analgesic)
paracetamol has proven itself: it was effective as an emergency
to relieve acute pain, as well as in the long-term treatment of chronic
pain syndromes. According to scientific studies, paracetamol is not
inferior in analgesic effect to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, but, unlike them, has a low risk of complications with
aspects of the cardiovascular and digestive systems ¹⁹ .

The combination of the antispasmodic drotaverine and the non-narcotic analgesic paracetamol acts selectively for spasm and specifically for pain ¹³ .

Read more

The main goal of dysmenorrhea care is to reduce or eliminate pain
lower abdomen. Paracetamol is considered the drug of choice for the treatment of pain in
menstruation ²⁰ Paracetamol blocks the formation of prostaglandins and
thus reduces the severity of pain sensations ¹³ .

As an adjunct to the treatment of dysmenorrhea to control pain caused by
spasm of smooth muscles, antispasmodics may be prescribed. Antispasmodic
drotaverine blocks excessive uterine contractions, improves blood circulation
organ, which may contribute to pain relief in dysmenorrhea ⁹ .

No-shpa® Duo contains
paracetamol and drotaverine, and therefore has a dual effect of an analgesic and
antispasmodic. No-shpa® Duo
Helps relieve symptoms of mild to moderate dysmenorrhea
gravity ¹³ .

Find out more about
No-shpa® Duo

find out

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sources

MAT-EN-2103226 – 3.0 – 03/2022

PMS – premenstrual syndrome.

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Upper abdominal pain

Abdominal pain

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PRODUCTS

joint pain before menstruation

joint pain before .