“In man, the shedding of blood is always associated with injury, disease, or death,” said Estelle Ramey, who was a Georgetown University endocrinologist. “Only the female half of humanity was seen to have the magical ability to bleed profusely and still rise phoenix-like each month from the gore.”
Getting your period may not feel magical, especially if
you're dealing with cramps, headaches, stomachaches,
or grouchiness (aka other people's stupidity). If you
find your menstrual cycle particularly grueling, you might be
dealing with one of these types of problem periods...
4 Types of Problem Periods
1. Painful periods or dysmenorrhea. “Primary dysmenorrhea
is linked to a rise of natural chemicals in the body at ovulation,
which can cause pain,” writes Mary Jane Minkin, MD, in Women’s
Health for Life. “Secondary dysmenorrhea is a sign of an
underlying disorder.” Secondary dysmenorrhea affects women who’ve
never menstruated before.
A reproductive disorder, endometriosis, or fibroids could cause painful periods - and the only way to know for sure is to get it checked out. Symptoms of dysmenorrhea include aching in your lower back or legs, cramps in your abdomen, or a dragging sensation in your pelvis. This menstrual problem could lead to infertility or problems conceiving; the sooner you know what you’re coping with, the better!
2. Heavy periods or menorrhagia. Hormonal imbalances or uterus disorders could cause heavy periods, but Dr Minkin says the cause isn’t always obvious. If you’re bleeding for seven or more days and it’s not controlled by sanitary napkins or tampons, then you may have menorrhagia. Some blood clots are normal - but large blood clots are a sign of heavy periods.
Menorrhagia could lead to anemia, so make sure you eat plenty of
iron! Lean meat, leafy green veggies, some cereals, oatmeal, boiled
soybeans, molasses, and various beans are good sources of iron. You
may need prescription medication to treat heavy periods or anemia -
or you may find over-the-counter remedies work fine.
To read the rest, go to 4 Types of Period Problems on Quips &
Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility.
