For many women, menstrual pain is a part of everyday life. From a slight pulling sensation in the lower abdomen to cramp-like pains that can significantly disrupt daily life – menstrual discomfort is not uncommon. It is therefore all the more important to know effective ways to relieve menstrual pain and to know when medical help is necessary.
Here, you will learn why menstrual pain occurs, what causes it can have, and which methods really help.
Menstrual pain arises from natural processes in the body that occur during menstruation. They are generally harmless but can significantly affect quality of life depending on their intensity and cause. To understand how menstrual pain develops, it is worth taking a look at the physiological process.
Every month, the female body prepares for a possible pregnancy. The uterine lining builds up under the influence of hormones to be able to receive a fertilised egg. If fertilisation does not occur, hormone levels drop and the uterine lining is shed – menstruation begins.
During this process, the muscles of the uterus contract rhythmically to transport the lining outward. These contractions can cause pain, especially in the lower abdomen.
Prostaglandins – hormone-like messengers that are released in increased amounts during menstruation – play a crucial role in these contractions. They ensure that the uterine muscles contract and the lining is shed.
The higher the level of prostaglandins, the more intense the muscle contractions are – and the more pronounced the pain can be. Prostaglandins also affect the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvic area, which can cause additional discomfort such as nausea, headaches, or diarrhea.
Prostaglandins are hormone-like messengers involved in many processes in the body. They regulate pain perception, inflammatory reactions, blood clotting, and muscle contractions. They are produced directly at the site of action and work there without being distributed throughout the body.
Menstrual pain is rarely an isolated symptom. Often, additional physical and psychological complaints occur, which can further burden everyday life:
These complaints arise from the interaction of prostaglandins, muscle contractions, and hormonal changes during menstruation. How pronounced they are varies from woman to woman and depends, among other things, on individual predisposition, lifestyle, and personal hormone levels.
Menstrual pain can vary in intensity and have different causes. Basically, two forms are distinguished: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). This classification helps to better understand whether it is normal, hormonally induced menstrual pain or whether an illness might be behind the complaints.
Various factors can influence the intensity of the pain. Stress and psychological burdens can intensify pain perception. An unhealthy lifestyle with little exercise, an unbalanced diet, or obesity can additionally promote menstrual discomfort.
Mild to moderate menstrual pain is a normal companion of menstruation for many women. But if the discomfort is particularly severe, regularly restricts everyday life, or persists beyond menstruation, a gynecological examination should definitely be carried out. Because severe menstrual pain can also be caused by endometriosis – a common but often late-diagnosed chronic condition.
In endometriosis, cells similar to the uterine lining settle outside the uterus – for example, on the ovaries, the peritoneum, or the bladder. These so-called endometriosis lesions behave similarly to the lining in the uterus: they build up over the cycle, bleed, and cause inflammation, adhesions, and scar tissue in the surrounding tissue.
Typical symptoms:
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecological conditions among women of childbearing age. Estimates suggest that about 8 to 15 percent of all women in Germany are affected*1 – many of them without knowing it, as the symptoms are often unspecific and the path to the correct diagnosis can take years. A definitive diagnosis is usually only possible through laparoscopy.
An early diagnosis and individually tailored treatment can alleviate the complaints and improve the quality of life for those affected.
The most proven pain relievers for menstrual pain are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. They inhibit prostaglandin production and thus relieve cramps and inflammation. Antispasmodic agents like butylscopolamine (e.g., Buscopan) can also help.
However, before regular intake or if in doubt, you should always seek medical advice to find the appropriate and safe treatment for you.
Gentle methods and grandma's home remedies can also relieve menstrual pain:
The birth control pill, hormonal IUD, or a contraceptive ring can regulate hormone levels and weaken or even suppress menstruation, thereby also reducing pain. However, the decision for hormonal contraception should always be made individually and with medical guidance.
A modern and well-tolerated method to relieve menstrual pain is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). Gentle electrical impulses are delivered to the nerve pathways via electrodes on the skin. These impulses have a pain-relieving effect by blocking pain transmission to the brain and simultaneously stimulating the body's release of endorphins (natural pain relievers).
Studies and testimonials show that TENS can bring noticeable relief, especially for cramp-like lower abdominal pain*2 – either alone or in addition to other methods.
Those who want to specifically relieve menstrual pain with TENS will find practical menstrual pads developed specifically for menstrual discomfort at Beurer. The EM 50 Menstrual Relax and EM 55 Menstrual Relax + combine the pain-relieving impulses of TENS therapy with soothing heat – a particularly pleasant combination for cramp-like lower abdominal pain.
The pads are soft, conformable and adapt flexibly to any body shape, allowing them to be worn discreetly under clothing – whether at home on the sofa or out and about in everyday life. The application is simple: Heat and TENS can be individually adjusted and controlled via a control element directly on the pad. The reusable pads are pleasant on the skin, comfortable to wear and deliver noticeable relief – exactly when needed to relieve your menstrual pain.
Thanks to their clinically validated effectiveness, they provide a reliable, drug-free option that provides noticeable relief whenever needed.
>> More information about the products can be found here: EM 50 Menstrual Relax and EM 55 Menstrual Relax +.
1 https://www.endometriose-vereinigung.de/was-ist-endometriose/
2 https://www.cochrane.org/de/CD013331/MENSTR_ist-tenselektrische-nervenstimulation-durch-die-haut-eine-wirksame-behandlung-fur-regelschmerzen-und
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