Is pain during menstruation normal?

Menstruation is the periodic discharge of blood and body cells from a woman's uterine wall through the vagina. Women can experience menstruation for 3–8 days, with a maximum menstrual period of 15 days and an average cycle of 23–28 days each month. Usually, menstruation begins when teenagers are 9–12 years old. There are some women who experience menstruation later than that (13–15 years). During menstruation, some women can carry out normal activities without complaints, but quite a few of them menstruate with complaints, resulting in discomfort, which is often called dysmenorrhoea. Dysmenorrhea is lower abdominal pain that sometimes extends to the waist, lower back, and thighs. Other physical complaints include sore or swollen breasts, flatulence or pain in the stomach, headaches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, and skin problems such as acne.

Pain during menstruation begins 1–3 days before menstruation. There is also menstrual pain on the first day, and it subsides within 2 to 3 days. These symptoms will actually disappear without treatment, but in some women, the symptoms that appear tend to persist and get worse if left without treatment. To reduce pain, just do a warm compress, do regular exercise, and get enough rest. If you feel menstrual pain that interferes with your daily activities, you can be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or consult directly with a health professional.

Here's how to relieve menstrual pain on a mild scale that you can try at home:

1. Warm water compress

Applying a warm compress to the stomach area can relieve pain. Warm compresses can increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and reduce pain.

2. Massage the stomach with essential oil.

Massage using a mixture of essential oils can reduce stomach cramps. The types of essential oils that can be used are lavender, rose, cinnamon, clove, and others. How to use: rub a few drops in your hands, then gently massage your stomach. Body massage can relieve pain and release endorphins. This compound is useful for muscle relaxation and sedation effects.

3. Drink more water.

Warm water can help relieve cramps by working to increase blood flow around the skin and relax cramped muscles.

4. Consume bananas

Bananas contain many vitamins and minerals that the body needs, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, protein, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and water.

Because they are rich in water and potassium, bananas can help prevent cramps during menstruation.

5. Reduce caffeine and salty foods.

Alcohol, fat, salt, and sugar result in the accumulation of water in the body and make the stomach bloated. Caffeine in coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate needs to be avoided because it can make stomach cramps worse. You can replace coffee and tea with warm lemon or ginger drinks, which are good for menstrual pain.

6. Consume turmeric

Curcumin, a natural chemical in turmeric, may help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Turmeric is believed to be effective in treating pain in the form of stomach cramps because its curcumin content can inhibit excess prostaglandin production in the uterus.

7. Do light exercise.

Exercising or doing physical exercise can release endorphins, which are chemicals from the body that have the effect of reducing pain and triggering feelings of pleasure. Light exercise such as walking and practicing yoga postures is recommended during menstruation.

8. Relieve psychological stress

Psychological stress risks increasing cramps and the severity of menstruation itself. Stress can be reduced by meditation, taking a leisurely walk, and doing things you like.

There are several ways you can reduce menstrual pain. Occasional menstrual pain is not dangerous, and there is no need to worry too much. However, you need to be careful if this condition occurs every time you menstruate. If menstrual pain does not improve even after taking painkillers or even gets worse, you should consult your health problem with a specialist obstetrician and gynecologist at Hermina Tasikmalaya Hospital dr. Max Sieboentara, Sp.OG to get immediate treatment.