Sunday 10 July 2016

Inflammation: The Reason Behind Period Pain, Study

Do you know why you experience pain in abdomen or back during menstruation? Well, scientists have found that inflammation is the main reason why periods are so painful. A new study revealed that period pain is caused by acute inflammation. When inflammation is increased, the liver secretes a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP). This could be the reason why a woman experiences menstrual pain.

Menstrual cramp or pain, also known as Dysmenorrhea, is a common condition experienced by millions of women, worldwide. There are few plausible causes of period pain, while inflammation is one of them. Scientists have revealed that a raised CRP level is responsible for acute inflammation before or during menstruation. Many women feel pain in abdomen and back before menstruation, which is commonly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

PMS is characterised by the changes in physical, psychological and behavioural pattern that can occur nearly two weeks before the commencement of menstruation.

What study says?

Period PainsMedical experts from renowned university carried out a study that included approximately 3,300 women of different ethnic groups. The history of reproductive health, lifestyle and demographic factors were taken into consideration. Participants were also asked about other symptoms of PMS and menstruation, such as –
  • Abdominal pain or cramps
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Breast tenderness or pain
  • Weight gain
  • Mood changes
  • Increased appetite
  • Severe headache
  • Anxiety, fear, nervousness
Apart from these parameters, their CRP levels were also analysed. In many cases, elevated CRP levels were reported. However, scientists suggest that other physiological mechanisms may also give rise to PMS or period pains. The results indicate that inflammation plays a great role in causing PMS and Period Pains. This finding can help prevent and treat the symptoms with period pain medicines or anti-inflammatory agents.

Conclusion

The study revealed that elevated CRP levels could give rise to the symptoms of PMS, especially in middle-aged women. However, the levels may differ from person to person. The findings of this study cannot be applied to young girls, as it was chiefly conducted on middle-aged women.

The researchers opine that this study could help in analysing and implementing potential preventive and therapeutic measures. Women with severe dysmenorrhea should seek medical assistance, as they may need prescription medicine.

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