Algomenorrhea is the most pronounced disorder of the menstrual cycle with clearly present pain syndromes. They are concentrated in the region of the sacrum, lower back, and also the lower abdomen, in some cases, localization may be in the hips. Unpleasant sensations can occur not only during the course of the cycle, but also a few days before it.
Concept
Algomenorrhea is a painful course of menstruation, in which a woman feels worse. It can occur as a result of complicated childbirth, abortion, pathologies of the uterus and appendages, due to hormonal disruptions. Treatment of algomenorrhea with drugs depends on the cause of it.
Statistics
More than half of the time a woman experiences pain on the first day of her cycle or even 10-12 hours before it starts. They appear for 1-2 days, after which they gradually disappear. Unpleasant sensationsmay be aching, stabbing, in the form of contractions in the lumbar region, rectum or bladder.
The most common are moderate pain that does not affect vitality and performance. Strong discomfort is noted in almost 23% of women. In this case, there is frequent urination, chills, nausea, headaches and general weakness. In this state, a woman becomes depressed, becomes irritable and anxious. At the same time, efficiency decreases, and special medications are required.
Excessive pain occurs in about 15% of cases. There is a constant weakness in the body, there is an increase in body temperature. There are severe headaches, frequent fainting, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, pain in the heart. At the same time, women lose their active life position. Taking painkillers does not bring relief.
Reasons
Primary algomenorrhea most susceptible to young women with irregular menstrual cycles. For older representatives of the weaker sex, the following features are characteristic in this case:
- slight excitability;
- impulsivity;
- emotionality.
In young girls, the disease is caused by disturbances in the hormonal background with an increase in the level of norepinephrine, adrenaline and dopamine in the body. In women, the production of serotonin in the cerebrospinal fluid increases.
Secondary algomenorrhea is observed in those giving birth. The disease can develop as a result of abortions, as well as the followingreasons:
- presence of concomitant chronic pathologies;
- prolonged use of the intrauterine device;
- gynecological operations.
In this case, various pathologies of the reproductive system, including uterine fibroids, may be noted.
The cause of the disease can be endometriosis and varicose veins in the pelvic area. The pains are aching in nature, continue the entire menstrual cycle, can be given to the rectum.
In addition, the causes of the disease can be associated with various processes occurring in the body:
- endocrine;
- psycho-emotional;
- exchange;
- vegetovascular.
May experience loss of consciousness, joint pain, irritability, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Algomenorrhea code in ICD
In the latter, each disease has its own number, which is used in world practice. Algomenorrhea in the ICD-10 is assigned three codes:
94.4 - primary;
94.6 - unspecified;
94.5 - secondary.
Symptoms of algomenorrhea
The main symptom of the disease are pain syndromes in the lower abdomen. Others are as follows:
- excessive sweating;
- swelling of limbs and face;
- discomfort in the back;
- migraine-like headaches;
- constipation and diarrhea;
- dizziness;
- changing mood;
- anxiety;
- decrease in performance;
- general weakness.
If pathology developsagainst the background of gynecological diseases, the symptoms become more pronounced as the latter develop.
Algomenorrhea is an ailment that has two forms: primary, in which the anatomy of the genital organs inside does not change, and secondary, arising under the influence of pathologies in the pelvic organs. Each of them has its own characteristic symptoms.
The primary form of the disease is most often observed in young girls and manifests itself 1-1.5 years after the onset of menstruation. Pain syndromes can occur a few hours before it starts or on the first day. At the same time, contractions are formed in the lower abdomen, extending to the lower back and inner thighs. The symptoms listed above are characteristic of both forms, but with primary algomenorrhea they are less pronounced.
The secondary form most often occurs due to the development of adenomyosis and is, in relation to it, its symptom. Unpleasant sensations become more pronounced, their duration is 2-3 days after the start of the menstrual cycle. This changes the position and shape of the uterus. This is mainly characteristic of women after 30 years.
Degrees
According to symptoms and manifestations, pathology is divided into three degrees:
- Mild - during menstruation, the pain is moderate and short, vitality and performance do not decrease.
- Medium - severe pain in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, chills, nausea, headaches, weakness in the body, depressive mood, worseninghe alth.
- Severe - the pains become sharp, appear in the lower back and abdomen, the temperature rises, there are heart and headaches, diarrhea, nausea accompanied by vomiting, tachycardia, while working capacity and vitality are completely reduced. This degree is noted mainly in congenital pathology of the genital organs.
Primary form
It most often occurs during the development of the female body. Manifestations are observed in the first years after the onset of the menstrual cycle. In this case, the disease can proceed in two types:
- compensated - with the same painful menstruation for a long period of time;
- decompensated - with gradually increasing discomfort.
This form is most typical for women with asthenic physique and unstable emotionality.
Primary algomenorrhea is due to the following reasons:
- diseases of the uterus that retain blood in its cavity, which leads to muscle contractions in intensive mode;
- various pathologies of the central nervous system, as a result of which pain is perceived aggravated;
- genital tuberculosis, which contributes to the defeat of the genital organs - in this case, pain syndromes are observed during the first menstruation, while the place of their localization is not certain;
- dysplasia due to underdevelopment before the birth of the connective tissue, which leads to a change in the skeleton and blood vesselslimbs - observed with a lack of magnesium.
Diagnosed during gynecological examination, ultrasound of the pelvic organs, determination of hormonal parameters.
In order for the compensated type not to become decompensated, you need to save the first pregnancy. After the birth of a child, this disease can go away on its own. If necessary, prescribe medication and physiotherapy.
Secondary form
It appears in women after they turn 30. She is characterized by moderate to severe disease with heavy menstruation.
The causes of secondary algomenorrhea are associated with pathologies of the pelvic organs. These include:
- spikes in them;
- intrauterine devices;
- tumors of the appendages and uterus;
- vein expansion;
- endometrial polyps;
- inflammation in the genitals.
In addition, overwork can serve as the reasons for its development - both mentally and physically.
Diagnosed with the help of ultrasound, X-ray, endoscopic and instrumental studies. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the causes of the disease. If necessary, an operation is performed.
Diagnosis
In its implementation, it is necessary to detect the pathology that provoked the development of this disease. Diagnosis consists in carrying out the following activities:
- gynecological examination - in the secondary form, an increase in the uterus, inflammation, infiltrates,which are not marked during the primary;
- urine and blood tests;
- Ultrasound to detect concomitant pathologies, for example, inflammation of the appendages, the presence of fibroids, cysts, tumors;
- MRI for secondary form to detect neoplasms;
- encephalography to detect CNS pathologies with severe headaches during the menstrual cycle;
- Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed when previously implemented methods of treatment are ineffective.
Treatment
Depends on the severity, forms of the disease, the causes that caused it, and symptoms. The most effective is the method of etiotropic treatment aimed at identifying and eliminating the causes of the disease. After that, pathogenic and symptomatic therapy is carried out.
When healing the primary form, the hormonal balance is first brought to an optimal state. Use the following drugs to treat algomenorrhea:
- hormonal birth control;
- progestins.
Sometimes after giving birth, no drugs are required, the ailment goes away on its own.
In cases of violations in the anatomy or congenital malformations in the pelvic organs, surgical intervention is performed.
When a patient is seriously concerned about this disease, drugs belonging to the group of NSAIDs, antispasmodics or analgesics are prescribed. With their help, they relieve pain and have a therapeutic effect on concomitant pathologies. Excitement and anxiety are eliminated by the use of sedative drugs.
In addition, non-drug therapies may be used:
- diadynamic currents;
- manual therapy;
- massage;
- ultrasound;
- shortwave diathermy;
- acupuncture;
- breathing exercises;
- phonophoresis;
- electrophoresis with trimecaine, magnesium sulfate and novocaine.
Massage treatment
Medicine therapy can be used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Massage with algomenorrhea can be acupressure. To do this, you need to find a point located between the knee of the inside of the leg and the ankle, which is pressed for 1-2 minutes clockwise on the left leg, then on the right.
It is also effective to massage the lower back. To do this, take 2 small hard balls, which are placed in a tissue bag, placed under each side of the spine at the bottom of the back and lie on them. The latter are pressed and rolled with the help of the back for several minutes.
You can also do acupressure. Under it understand the massaging of active points. Massage is performed in the following of them:
- with your thumbs in the lower part of the inguinal zone and below the navel in the prone position, without changing it with the same fingers, press on the inner surface in the middle of the lower leg, in the center of the back and on the coccyx - hold your finger at each point for 10 seconds, then slowly let go;
- a point located 4 fingers above the ankle on the insidelegs;
- kneeling down to pinch the thighs, pressing the elbow from the outside to the knee on the thigh, and from the inside - on it towards the pelvis.
Prevention
It is necessary to rationally combine emotional, physical and mental stress. Prevention of algomenorrhea with overwork is the elimination of stiffness and maintaining a measured lifestyle. At the same time, representatives of the weaker sex should:
- timely detect and cure diseases of the pelvic organs;
- have a measured sex life;
- rationally make up your diet;
- harden the body;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene.
Introduce more vegetables and cereals, calcium, magnesium, limit s alty foods and caffeine into the diet a few days before the onset of menstruation.
In closing
Algomenorrhea is an ailment that occurs in women with pain during the first days of the menstrual cycle. There are primary and secondary forms. The second is mainly due to the development of adenomyosis and is typical for women after 30 years. The first is observed in young girls. As a treatment, drug therapy is mainly used, as well as some methods that involve non-drug effects on the body. They include massage. To prevent the disease, it is necessary, first of all, to identify and treat diseases of the pelvic organs in a timely manner.
