Why Do Some Girls Have More Intense Period Cramps Compared to Others?

There isn’t a girl in the entire world who looks forward to her “time of the month”. It restricts us from doing the activities we love, like swimming or jogging (to name a few), we avoid wearing any white or light coloured bottoms in case of an “overflow”, and the worst part is, we get cramps! For some, the cramps are bearable, but for the rest of us, the cramps can get so bad it forces us to stay bedridden for the entire first day of our periods. Just kill me pls.

Sometimes we even down those pink Panadol pills as if they were just Mentos sweets; but even then, sometimes it doesn’t help at all. Are you one of the unlucky ones who has to face this torture on a monthly basis? Well, here are some reasons why your cramps can sometimes get so intense compared to your other girlfriends:

1. You’re either overweight, underweight or going through a lot of stress

Source: modernfilipina

Being afflicted with any of the above can cause–not just extremely painful period cramps–but irregular period cycles too. When our bodies aren’t getting the right nutrition or is going through tremendous stress (from work, exams and so forth), this can cause hormonal imbalances. Amounts of insulin and estrogen in your body will also become kelam-kabut and this can lead to painful and irregular periods.

According to Professor Alyssa Dweck from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, she states that some severe cases may even lead to missed periods for a few months. Some theorize that this is nature’s way of preventing our bodies from getting pregnant, especially during our more unhealthy and stressful seasons.

2. You don’t exercise or you exercise too much (yes, got such thing one)

Source: shutterstock

A study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that women who practiced yoga 30 minutes a day, twice a week had a significant improvement in menstrual cramps. This is mainly due to the fact that exercising helps increase blood flow and this in turn reduces cramps. Exercising also releases “happy hormones” and helps to reduce stress in our bodies, which is great since stress contributes to our cramps too. Sien.

However, be sure not to overdo it if you’re not an athlete. Exercising too much can actually worsen your cramps as well. After all, too much of a good thing can be bad! On the other hand, if you’re not a fan of yoga, try going for jogs or doing simple stretches at home. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel.

3. You have a horrible diet

Foods particularly high in sodium are found to be exceptionally bad for cramps. A study found that girls who indulged in junk food or salty foods a lot tend to suffer from much more severe cramps. Additionally, girls who were eating less or on a diet and losing weight were also found to face worse cramps.

4. It could be caused by something much more serious than any of the above

Source: womenshealthmag

Scientifically known as the Secondary Dysmenorrhea (meaning painful menstruation), this can be caused by (non-cancerous) growths in the womb, including polyps (outgrowths from the lining of the uterus) and fibroids (abnormal growths in or on the uterus). Besides exceptionally painful cramps, other symptoms include irregular periods, heavy blood flow and bleeding in between periods.

Another cause for severe period pain is a condition called Endometriosis which occurs when the lining of the uterus (a.k.a. endometrium) is out of place and found outside of the uterus. It can sometimes be found on the ovaries, bladder, fallopian tubes, and other locations as well. Some symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, pain during sexual intercourse, bleeding between periods, and of course, painful cramps during your period. If you face any of the above, don’t be afraid to pay your Ob-gyn a visit!

So how can I stop this torture??

Source: askdrmanny

Besides ensuring you lead a healthier and more active lifestyle (and besides taking those pink Panadol pills), here are some scientific ways to help with period cramps:

1. Birth control pills
   • Prevents ovulation and therefore reduces the amount of prostaglandin produced (a type of hormone made at sites of tissue damage or infection where it causes pain and inflammation)
   • Lining of the womb also becomes less thick and period flow is lighter
2. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen
   • These non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also lower prostaglandin which in turn helps relieve pain

Many Malaysian women have also tried other means of reducing period cramps (that their mothers probably taught them) including:

1. Taking supplements containing gamma linolenic acid (GLA) such as evening primrose oil, starflower oil or vitamin B6
2. Taking hot showers or soaking in a warm bath mixed with aromatherapy oils
3. Avoiding icy, cold foods and drinks close to your period

If none of the above help you or your dreadful period cramps, do make sure you give your Ob-gyn a visit. They might just be able to prescribe better supplements or give you better alternatives once they diagnose the problem properly. It’s always better to get yourself treated early after all!

Also read: This Malaysian Feminist Activist Just Got Featured in Harvard’s Women’s Day Exhibit