menstrual cramps information
Menstrual cramping, known as “dysmenorrhea,” is a painful affliction that accompanies menstruation in approximately 50 percent of women. As the lining of the uterus (endometrium) begins breaking down during menstruation, dying tissues release hormones called prostaglandins into the blood stream. Prostaglandins cause the muscles of the uterus to contract as they force the endometrial material through the cervix and the vagina. As pieces of the uterine lining pass through the cervix, pressure from contracting muscles may cause pain in the uterus. Most menstrual cramps last from 15 to 90 seconds and generally start in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Pain can be continuous or periodic and usually lasts for 2-4 days.
Menstrual cramps affect more than 50 percent of women worldwide and more than 15 percent suffer from severe cramping that limits physical activity. Acupressure can reduce the pain associated with menstrual cramps and provide a natural form of relief.
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