Up to 20% of women in the world feel sick during menstruation and severe pain to the extent they simply cannot work these days. 70% of them suffer in silence. Nausea, vomiting, headaches, etc. are often added to the symptoms of painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea).
Only in few countries of the world are women allowed to not go to work during their period. But, in fact, few use this right, because of fear of appearing weak and uncomfortable for the employer, or fear of being ridiculed. The topic is so taboo that one of the few studies has shown the perception of a woman “with a tampon” as less competent and less attractive.
Dysmenorrhea: personal experience
My first period started unexpectedly right at school. Despite the fact that I’d discussed this topic with my mother, at that moment I was left alone with my situation, and the topic was so taboo that I was afraid that someone would find out about it. I literally hid in a corner so that no one would understand anything about my condition. It was fear, shame, anxiety... As for the physiological discomfort, the most difficult moments were when the days of menstruation coincided with the period of competition, since I was engaged in sports, and on the days of tests at school. I even had to refuse to participate in competitions, and the coaches understood me, although I was very upset. And you can’t miss the tests that easily - as I already said, this topic was “forbidden” at school, and no one was particularly ready to worry about the condition of the girls.
Of course, I shared this with my mother, and she told me that a gynecologist should be every girl’s “best friend.” My mother arranged an appointment with a competent specialist, where I went myself and received advice. As a result, I and the doctors were able to gradually find the cause of this condition during those days and eliminate it as much as possible.
I urge all women who do not tolerate pain and any uncomfortable conditions, to consult a doctor on time and listen to their instructions. Painkillers are not scary. What is scary is to be a hostage to pain. A gynecologist is not scary either! What is scary is when you are afraid to go to the doctor, and this leads to irreversible consequences. I’m speaking to every woman out there: know that you are not alone. There are many of us, and we are very strong, but pain is definitely not the state to which you should be proving how strong you are.
Severe pain during menstruation: what to do
In the female body there are two main hormones that are responsible for the menstrual cycle. In the first phase of the cycle it is estrogen, in the second phase it is progesterone. When your period is about to begin, the level of these hormones decreases. This is the way the body kind of “renews” itself to prepare for the next cycle. Accordingly, menstruation occurs at the lowest level of hormones during the period when immunity also decreases, which may lead to weakness, apathy, and even an inflamed skin rash appearing. Therefore, at this time, it is important to pay special attention to healthy diet, and if necessary, to use vitamins.
In general, period and menstrual pain are a natural condition that every girl and woman feels during the reproductive period (before menopause). But if your general well-being during menstruation interferes with the usual way of life (a girl cannot attend school, a woman - work meetings), then you need to look for the cause and eliminate it. It is really recommended to reduce the amount of sports activity at this time. Otherwise, “menstrual” days should not decrease the quality of life.
A frequent cause of painful menstruation is endometriosis, a hormone-dependent disease common in women of reproductive age. First of all, it is necessary to rule out this diagnosis. But there are also idiopathic painful menstruations, when the causes are not identified, but pain and other symptoms are present. In this case, you should radically change your lifestyle for a few days.
Most often, this condition has a hereditary character, so then together with a doctor, you need to choose methods that will help you survive these days.
These materials are from the special project “The Woman’s Face of Pain” together with “Darnytsia”, Marie Claire magazine #136, spring 2022