Dr Geetika N Ganapathy - obstetrician and gynaecologist

27/10/2024

Dealing with dysmenorrhea? 😒
There are many relief options available!

1. Medications:💊

*Over-the-counter pain relievers like mefenamic acid to ease cramps.
*Hormonal contraceptives (like birth control pills) to thin the uterine lining. *Prescription medications for severe cases.

2. Surgical intervention:

*Surgical options like cystectomy, adhesiolysis, myomectomy and hysterectomy for extreme cases.

3. Other alternatives:🌸

*Soothing heat therapy with heating pads or warm water bottles.
*Regular exercise to release natural painkillers called endorphins.
*Dietary tweaks (more calcium, vitamin D, magnesium).
*Calming herbal teas (ginger, chamomile).
*yoga

Consult your doctor👩🏻‍⚕️ to find the best approach for you!🤗

24/10/2024

Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps is not "just normal period pain", it isn't "just emotional", it is "a physical condition"😔 that needs to be addressed.

Dysmenorrhea affects women worldwide and the highest prevalence is in the developing countries. 😒

Let's go through the common causes of Dysmenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea could be Primary or Secondary.

Primary Dysmenorrhea :

It is painful menstruation without underlying medical conditions, mostly starts within 2 years of menarche.

Causes of Primary Dysmenorrhea include :

1. Prostaglandins: Hormone-like substances stimulating uterine contractions.
2. Hormonal fluctuations: Estrogen and progesterone changes.
3. Uterine contractions: Strong muscle cramps.
4. Cervical stenosis: Narrowing of the cervix.
5. Genetic predisposition.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea:

Painful menstruation caused by underlying medical conditions, mostly starts later in life and usually keeps worsening with time.😢

Causes of Secondary Dysmenorrhea include :

1. Endometriosis: Uterine tissue growth outside the uterus.
2. Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus.
3. Adenomyosis: Uterine tissue growth into the uterine wall.
4. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Infection of reproductive organs.
5. Ovarian cysts/tumors: Abnormal growths on ovaries.
6. Uterine anomalies: Unusual uterine shape/structure.

Contributing Factors include :

*Family history: Genetic predisposition.
*Age: Younger women (more among the teens)
*Lifestyle: Smoking, obesity, lack of exercise.
*Stress: Emotional and psychological factors.
*Poor diet: Nutritional deficiencies.

Consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and personalized treatment.
Take the first step towards relief.🙂

23/10/2024

Upto 33% of women with severe dysmenorrhea are left incapacitated for up to 3 days each cycle!🥺

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps) can significantly impact daily life, causing 1 in 5 women to skip work.
Also, menstrual cramps are the #1 reason adolescent girls skip school.👧🏻

This condition affects women of reproductive age worldwide, regardless of age, nationality, or economic status, making it a leading cause of gynecological morbidity.

The severity of dysmenorrhea can vary, but for some women, the pain is debilitating. Factors contributing to increased severity include
1. heavy menstrual bleeding
2. longer menstrual bleeding duration
3. family history of dysmenorrhea.

Some common effects of Dysmenorrhea include

- Restriction of daily activities
- Lower academic performance in adolescents
- Poor quality of sleep
- Anxiety and depression😒

It's essential to seek medical attention if dysmenorrhea symptoms are severe or persistent, as treatment options are available to manage pain and improve quality of life.😊

Dysmenorrhea is NOT just a minor issue.
It has REAL consequences on women's lives, education, and careers.

What can you do??🤔

Take the first step towards finding relief by reaching out to your doctor for guidance.

12/10/2024

Let the spirit of Dussehra inspire you to be kind, compassionate and just.

Wishing you a joyful and blessed Dussehra!!

24/09/2024