Almost more than 90 percent of teenagers today experience a problem of painful periods. The clinical term for painful periods is dysmenorrheal and is very pain in early age. Initially young women ignore this pain as they take it as a regular part of the menstrual cycle but sometimes the pain is too severe to tolerate and then they seek a treatment for the same.

Who gets painful periods ?

Most women have some pain during periods. The pain is often mild, but in about 1 in 10 women the pain is severe enough to affect day-to-day activities.

• Primary dysmenorrhoea is the common type of painful periods. This is where there is no disease of the uterus (womb). It often occurs in teenagers and women in their 20’s.

• Secondary dysmenorrhoea means that the pain is caused by a disease of the uterus. This is less common, and is more likely to occur in women in their 30’s and 40’s.

Home Care

The following steps may allow you to avoid painful periods:

• Apply a heating pad to your lower abdomen (below your belly button).
• Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower abdomen.
• Drink warm beverages.
• Eat light but frequent meals.
• Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine.
• Keep your legs elevated while lying down, or lie on your side with your knees bent.
• Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
• Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen.
• Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is from PMS.
• Take warm showers or baths.
• Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.