Who to consult in case of menstrual pain ?

Faced with pain, one can quickly find oneself helpless, and even more so when it comes to menstrual pain ! Between the injunctions of a patriarchal society where women are taught that suffering is normal and the taboo of the subject, many women prefer to suffer their painful periods in silence… So, yes, the pain linked to menstruation is normal (unfortunately), but you must not remain alone in the face of your pain. Not only are there many solutions to relieve pain, but dysmenorrhea can hide a serious illness: endometriosis. To guide you in your approach, here are Who to consult in case of menstrual pain.

How to know if period pains are normal ?

What woman does not suffer from premenstrual syndrome ? It is true that the intensity of the symptoms varies, but each month, the approach of menstruation brings with it a whole list of symptoms: pain in the lower abdomen and back, swelling and sensitive breasts, headaches, fatigue..

If generally the symptoms disappear with the arrival of the menstruation, another syndrome then takes over: the dysmenorrhea (or painful menstruation), which results in uterine cramps, heavy bleeding, headaches, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, lower back pain, etc. Pelvic pain subsides on average 2 to 3 days after the beginning of the period, but if we count the two syndromes, it is between 1 and 2 days 10 to 12 days of suffering per month in total !

Most of the time, these pains pass with medicines for painful periods as an analgesic (paracetamol), an antispasmodic (Spasfon type), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen), hormonal contraceptives or any other natural solutions such as essential oils, the heat of a hot water bottle or a hot bath, relaxation, yoga, hypnosis, acupuncture..

But, if despite these medical, hormonal or natural treatments, you continue to experience these symptoms:

• Pain that does not go away with painkillers.
• Disabling pain that prevents you from living normally.
• Intense back pain.
• Presence of blood in the stool.
• Pain when defecating.
• Urinary burns.
• Pain during sexual intercourse.
• Chest pain and sometimes right arm pain.
• Heavy bleeding.
• Fever.

It can be caused byendometriosis ! Endometriosis is a gynecological disease caused by the proliferation of cells or fragments of the endometrium outside the uterus. It causes significant damage to the organs it affects and leads to pain and infertility.

The delays in diagnosing this disease are immense (a woman suffers about 7 years before endometriosis is diagnosed), because many women minimize their pain or some doctors do not take their word into consideration. L’Endometriosis affects 10% of women of childbearing age and some women testify that they have suffered from menstrual problems since puberty without their doctor being concerned about it. Preconceived ideas are still very persistent !

Who to consult for painful periods ?

The first person to consult for pain related to menstruation is your doctor Attending physician. If the drugs available without prescription do not work, he will prescribe stronger drugs how a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or a progestin (hormone similar to progesterone).

He may also recommend a stronger medication for your period gynecological visit. The hormonal IUD or the contraceptive pill are effective in reducing pain.

If you are experiencing endometriosis pain, your doctor or gynecologist will send you for tests additional tests with a specialist. Generally an ultrasound scan, sometimes an MRI, more rarely a laparoscopy.

Good to know In the event of painful and incapacitating menstruation, you should know that you have the possibility of consult a doctor available directly online on the website Doctolib. In addition, there is the application Abilis which allows you to order your medication from your smartphone or computer from their partner pharmacies and even have it delivered to your home if the pharmacy has the service !

When to consult for painful periods ?

Consult a doctor, a gynecologist or any other specialist who can help you as soon as your period is painful, he will find a solution adapted to your symptoms. If you are prone to recurring pain, it is important to choose a doctor that is attentive to your needs. Don’t feel guilty and don’t be embarrassed to talk about your menstrual pain. The pain is not an end in itself and only you can determine the acceptable threshold !