Algodismenorea - painful periods

Algodismenorea (in some sources, pathology is called dysmenorrhea) is a disease manifested by a whole complex of symptoms - pain, disability, nervous discomfort.More than half of women of different ages turn to a doctor with such complaints.

In some cases, the cause of this disease is anatomical features, and sometimes algodismenorea itself is a sign of defeat of the reproductive system.

According to the international classification of the pathology of the ICD, the code N94.4-N94.6 (primary, secondary and dysmenorrhea, unspecified genesis) was assigned.

What is it in simple words?

Algodismenorea is a regularly repeated painful menstruation accompanied by metabolic, hormonal, neurological and psychoemotional disorders. Menstrual pains lead (8 - 80%) among the complaints addressed to a specialist young women, but their presence is not always associated with gynecological pathology.

Causes of algodismenorea

The menstrual cycle is formed with the participation of all the most important body systems, so the cause of algodismenosis can be found in the uterus and appendages, and far beyond the genitals.

instagram viewer

Secondary algodismenorea appears after a period of normal menstruation and is always associated with gynecological pathology. It is found among the symptoms of external or internal edometriosis, infectious inflammatory processes of the pelvic region (endometritis, salpingo-oophoritis), submucous (submucous) uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, adhesions and other ailments. They are the cause of menstrual pain. There are cases of algodismenorea on the background of an intrauterine device.

Algodismenorea in adolescents has a primary character, appears with the first menstruation with a "healthy" uterus and appendages. Its causes are conventionally classified into groups:

Hormonal: algodismenorea often appears on the background of hormonal dysfunction with a deficiency of the second (lutein) phase. The appearance of pain is explained by the excessive effect of estrogens with insufficient progesterone concentration.
Endocrine: excessive contractions of uterine musculature, resulting in its ischemia, are associated with a violation of synthesis prostaglandins - biologically active compounds that control the contractility of smooth muscles.
Neuropsychogenic: painful menstruation often appear in girls with a labile psyche and a low pain threshold.
Constitutional: in the case of sexual infantilism, the uterus is hypoplastic, and its musculature is not sufficiently developed and is poorly stretched due to the accumulation of menstrual blood.
Mechanical: menstrual pain can be associated with malformations of the genitals: partial or complete infection (atresia) of the cervical canal, abnormal position of the uterus or its underdevelopment. The presence of anomalies in the development of the genitals leads to a difficulty in the free flow of menstrual blood, it accumulates in the uterine cavity, stretches it and provokes pain.

It should be noted that the concept of pain with menstruation in different patients is not the same. It is determined by an individual pain threshold. If the examination of a patient with algodismenosis did not reveal an organic pathology, there are no associated systemic symptoms and progression of pain intensity, one can speak about the physiological features of the perception of pain.

Symptoms and early signs

Symptoms of such a disorder, as primary algodismenorea, are not as pronounced as in secondary pathology. Therefore, the diagnosis of the disease in this case is difficult.

The main symptoms of secondary algodismenorea depend on the cause of the development of the disorder in the patient. So, the most obvious symptoms with this violation are:

pain in the lower abdomen, which occurs a few hours before the onset of menstruation and can last several days, and sometimes even until the end of menstruation;
heavy menstrual flow;
violations of general health (headache, weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbance and lack of appetite).

In some cases, the symptoms are supplemented by an increased body temperature, which can be increased slightly (subfebrile) or to febrile indices. Also, the symptoms of algodismenorea can be supplemented by symptoms of inflammatory or dystrophic processes in the pelvic organs:

copious discharge from the vagina;
itching and burning in the genitals;
pain during sexual contact;
swelling of the labia and other symptoms.

Therefore, before appointing a treatment, the doctor should carefully examine the patient to exclude the possibility of having other diseases that cause pain.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made on the basis of complaints, anamnesis and additional research data. A gynecologist finds out when a patient with algodismenosis had pain for menstruation for the first time, what the duration of pain is, whether pain is accompanied by a violation of the general condition, whether the patient with algodismenosis suffers from gynecological diseases, whether there was a history of childbirth, abortions and operations on female genital organs. In the course of the survey, the doctor determines the age at which menstruation started, the length of the cycle, the frequency of the cycle, and the frequency of menstruation.

After collecting complaints and finding out an anamnesis, a specialist conducts a gynecological examination, takes a swab from the cervical canal, the vagina and the urethra. Then the woman with algodismenosis is sent for examination, which includes ultrasound of pelvic organs, general blood and urine tests, analysis for sexually transmitted diseases and hormone levels. For clarification of ultrasound data, CT and MRI of the small pelvis are used. With algodismorrhoea, presumably caused by polyposis and endometriosis, hysteroscopy and separate diagnostic curettage are prescribed. In some cases, laparoscopy is performed. If necessary, the patient with algodismenosis is referred to a urologist, a psychologist, a psychotherapist and other specialists.

Treatment of algodismenosis

At home, the approach to treating primary and secondary algodismenor is unequal. To eliminate secondary algodismenorea, it is necessary to cure the underlying disease, for the period of treatment menstrual pain is removed by anesthetics.

Therapy of primary algodismenorea implies correction of all available systemic disorders, therefore it is a long process. There is no universal treatment regimen for everyone, for each patient it is made up personally according to the severity of the pain and the nature of the accompanying systemic manifestations.

For the treatment of primary algodismorrhoea use:

Vitamins "Unicap", "Multitabs", "Decamewith".
Antioxidants: Vitamin E in continuous mode for a long time.
Tranquilizers and sedatives: Tazepam, tincture of valerian and others.
Analgesics and antispasmodics for direct impact on the uterine musculature: No-shpa, Baralgin, Spazmalgon and analogues.
Preparations based on magnesium salts: Magne-B6 and analogues. It is established that magnesium takes part in the transmission of the nerve impulse and the formation of the mechanism of muscle contractions, and with primary algodismenore there is a deficit.
Hormonal preparations. Assigned to girls with signs of hormonal dysfunction and insufficiency of the luteal phase of the cycle. Preliminary hormonal examination is performed, and the menstrual cycle is adjusted according to its conclusion.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Nimesil, Naproxen, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Aspirin and the like. They block the excessive synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby reducing the intensity of pain. With intensive pain, these funds should be prescribed two days before the onset of menstruation with the goal of preventing severe pain.

If the amount of estrogen remains within normal limits, the deficiency of the luteal phase is compensated by gestagens. Severe degree of algodismenorea on the background of excess estrogens requires the appointment of monophasic hormonal agents: Logest, Lindineth, Janine and the like. The popularity of homeopathic therapy of primary algodismenorea is growing. In combination with medicamental treatment, physiotherapy is also used.

Prevention

After the diagnosis the doctor explains the patient what algodismenorea is, and gives recommendations for alleviating the symptoms of the disease. So, you should stop smoking, excessive consumption of sweets, carbonated drinks. With obesity, you need to get rid of excess weight with the help of sports and a properly selected diet. A few days before and during menstruation advise to limit coffee. In the second phase of the cycle, preference should be given to vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread from bran.

To normalize the psychological state, drugs containing magnesium and B vitamins (Neurovitan, Magnum, Magne-B6) are needed. Doctors advise with dysmenorrhea broth of lemon balm, motherwort, ayr root, yarrow herb. It removes the pain of a mixture of royal jelly and honey. It must be kept in the mouth until it dissolves completely.

For the treatment of secondary algodismenire, fighting with its cause is of great importance. And to eliminate pain with monthly use of anti-inflammatory and pain medications. The prognosis depends on the concomitant pathology. If it is treatable, the symptoms of dysmenorrhea will also disappear with time.

Prognosis of treatment

If the patient is diagnosed with a disease that belongs to the primary form of pathology, the prognosis of algodismenosis is quite favorable. It is only necessary to slightly adjust your lifestyle, nutrition and, if necessary, undergo a small therapy.

The situation with the treatment of secondary pathology is somewhat more complicated. In case the patient has addressed in time to the district obstetrician - gynecologist, has completely passed inspection and adequate treatment, we can expect a complete cure or at least a decrease in the intensity of pain manifestations. The final result in this case essentially depends on the severity level of the disease, which causes such a symptomatology.

The main omen of a woman is the birth of a child. And if she begins to worry the above symptomatology, pull with the campaign to the doctor should not. Pain can talk about the development of a fairly serious illness in the patient's body. The conclusion is one. If a woman will carefully fulfill all the requirements of her doctor, then there are high chances to get rid of this disease as algodismenorea once and for all, as well as to carry out the mission given to her by nature - the birth of a new person.

The main thing is to turn to a specialist in time and in any case not to give up, your health, first of all, is in your hands.