Unveiling the Silent Struggle: How to Recognize and Alleviate Menstrual Pain in Teenage Girls | Dr. Rohan Palshetkar, Head of Unit Bloom IVF, Professor, Dept of OBGy, DY Patil School of Medicine

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain can occur in teenagers when their periods begin.
Slight discomfort can be expected but anything more than that can affect the quality
of life of these young adults. It is important for us to recognize, diagnose and treat
these girls so as to ensure that their quality of life is not affected.
Our first priority is to recognize this pain. It usually presents as cramping in the
lower abdomen which may sometimes be felt in the lower back and thighs. Some
girls may experience other symptoms along with it such as nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, headaches and tiredness. They also may experience mood swings,
irritability, anxiety and sometimes even depression.
One of the simplest ways to alleviate pain is using over the counter medications
painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen which can effectively reduce menstrual
cramps. Heat pads or hot water bag or even warm baths or showers can reduce pain
by relaxing the muscles and reduce the cramps. Just be careful of not burning
yourself. Exercise is another fantastic way to alleviate pains. It improves blood flow,
reduces muscle tension and also releases endorphins which can help release the
pain. Exercises such as yoga and stretching seem to be the most effective. Please
don’t overdo it and realise the limits of your body. A good healthy balanced diet
including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins can help with this as
well. Avoid coffee, alcohol and sugary foods. Hydration is another very important
component as it prevents bloating and reduces the cramps as well. Stress is another
factor which can aggravate menstrual pain. Therefore, deep breathing, meditation or
mindfulness can help reduce the physical and mental discomfort. Hormones for
teenagers are kept as a last resort. These should not be taken without consulting
your gynaecologist as certain hormones are not good for young teenagers. However,
they are quite effective by supressing the ovulation and thinning out the lining of
your uterus.
Please remember pain is not to be considered normal and a part of your menstrual
period. Please visit you gynaecologist. We can actually help diagnose if there is a
deeper underlying problem and treat it at the right time rather than letting it get
worse. Pelvic inflammatory disease and endometriosis are often missed in the early
stages as we consider pain normal. These if not caught early can affect quality of life
and also affect fertility in the future as well.
It is important for us to empower teenagers with knowledge about menstrual health
and make them aware that pain during periods is not normal. We need to encourage
open communication and not ignore their problems when they speak about it.