21-06-2017
The problem of painful menstruation is mainly age-related and affects girls and young women. The scale of the phenomenon is approximately 30% to 70% of the population. The underlying causes of this disorder are many, hence the need for properly managed diagnosis. In the first instance, pharmacological therapy is used, but in the second instance, thermotherapy proves to be effective, as confirmed by ongoing studies.
Specialists often encounter the problem of painful menstruation during puberty, i.e. in very young girls. It therefore represents a significant problem in paediatric and girl gynaecology. According to recommendations, the treatment to be undertaken for this type of condition is related to the application of warm compresses or acupuncture. In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO), on the basis of studies conducted, has confirmed that acupuncture is a treatment option, due to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture point stimulation.
The problem itself affects between 30% and 70% of adolescent girls and young women, and is defined as pelvic pain occurring during menstruation, with all the normalities of pelvic structure and positioning.
The cause of the occurrence of painful menstruation(dysmenorrhoea), is the contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus and the blood vessels within it, resulting in a significant lowering of the pain threshold. Factors that are implicated in aggravating pain have also been identified and include age under 20, weight loss, anxiety disorders, impaired social contact, stress, long and heavy bleeding, lack of pregnancy, low physical activity and stimulants such as alcohol and smoking. There are also secondary causes of Dysmenorrhea, namely endometriosis, pelvic inflammation, adhesions in the adnexa or sexually transmitted diseases.
During the first course of treatment, pharmacological treatment is used, consisting of the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The second wave, as indicated by studies, is possible treatment with thermotherapy. On the basis of pilot studies, data have been obtained from which the efficacy of local application of thermotherapy in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea can be inferred. As shown, there is a reduction in headaches, back pain, nausea, nervousness or mood swings. An improvement in self-esteem and an increase in appetite was also observed in the women who underwent the study. It was also noted that there was an overall improvement in social functioning, through physical improvement, reduction of limitations related to health problems and improvement in mental health. [1]
