PERIOD PAIN EVERY MONTH?

 Also known as premenstrual syndrome, PMS affects 90 percent of menstruating women. It starts a few days before your period begins and continues into the first day or two of menstruation. Symptoms include fatigue, irritability and cramps. 

 Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a more severe form of PMS that affects about five percent of menstruating women. Doctors aren’t sure what causes PMDD, but women with high levels of stress, depression, or a family history of depression are more likely to experience it. Symptoms of PMDD are like PMS but more intense, including more painful cramps. 

 A cyst is a usually harmless sac of fluid that forms in or on your body. Ovarian cysts develop in the ovaries, typically during ovulation. Many women develop at least one small cyst every month that naturally fades. However, some women have multiple or large ovarian cysts which can cause pain or complications. In these cases, medical treatment might be needed to manage the cysts. Ovarian cysts can also be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition where a hormone imbalance causes many small, harmless cysts to grow in the ovaries. This can cause painful periods, difficulty getting pregnant, insulin resistance and other health concerns. Symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, excess hair on the face and body, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, acne and thinning hair on the head. 

 When the uterus and ovaries become infected, this is called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The infection usually begins when bacteria from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) makes its way to the reproductive organs. PID can also occur following a surgical procedure. While many women experience no symptoms of PID, for some it can cause painful cramps. 

 The uterine lining, also known as the endometrium, grows inside the uterus. But if you have endometriosis, your endometrium grows outside the uterus, usually in other parts of your reproductive organs like the ovaries or fallopian tubes. When your body tries to shed uterine tissue during your period, the endometrium growing outside the uterus has nowhere to go. It can become trapped in the body. This can cause painful cramps, heavy bleeding, irritation and inflammation. 

 This is a treatable condition where the endometrium grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. The endometrium can affect the entire uterus muscle, but it usually affects one spot. Adenomyosis is a benign condition, but it can cause severe cramps. 

 Uterine fibroids are benign growths that may develop in the uterine lining. They can be so small that it’s impossible to see them with the naked eye, or big enough to change the shape of your uterus. They usually appear during childbearing years and often shrink or go away completely after menopause. Since fibroids grow in the uterine lining, they can cause heavy periods and painful menstrual cramps.