Can I only take painkillers for dysmenorrhea? Is it because of uterine cold?

Dysmenorrhea is not necessarily caused by uterine coldness. Painkillers are only a short-term means of relieving pain, which may be effective for some people, but if you want to fundamentally improve dysmenorrhea, you must first identify the specific cause and treat it in a targeted manner. Common causes include cold constitution, endocrine disorders, uterine abnormalities, etc., and the symptoms can be improved through dietary adjustments, thermotherapy, and drug treatment.

1 Common causes of dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is divided into two types: primary and secondary.

Cold constitution and cold uterus: Cold uterus is a cause of primary dysmenorrhea, which is often manifested as fear of cold in winter, cold hands and feet, and frequent dysmenorrhea. This condition is often related to weak endocrine function and can be improved by adjusting diet and warming the uterus.

Uterine or ovarian diseases: such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc. Dysmenorrhea caused by these pathological lesions is usually more severe and requires medical attention as soon as possible for a clear diagnosis.

Mental tension or emotional stress: Psychological factors such as anxiety and depression may aggravate physical pain, creating a vicious cycle.

2 Ways to Relieve Dysmenorrhea

Adjustment of diet and lifestyle: People with cold body can eat more warming foods, such as ginger brown sugar water, donkey-hide gelatin, longan and wolfberry tea, etc., to improve the cold environment in the body. A light diet can reduce intestinal bloating caused by high oil and salt.

Local heat therapy: Using a hot water bottle to heat the lower abdomen can improve local blood circulation and relieve cramping pain. At the same time, be careful not to wear too thin clothes, and keep your waist and abdomen warm during menstruation.

Drug treatment and TCM conditioning: For primary dysmenorrhea, you can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen under the guidance of a doctor to relieve pain; for cold uterus constitution confirmed by TCM, you can use TCM conditioning, such as soaking your feet in mugwort leaves and moxibustion, to promote blood circulation and improve your physical condition.

Surgical treatment for pathological dysmenorrhea: If diagnosed with endometriosis or uterine abnormalities, surgical intervention, such as endometrial lesion removal or myomectomy, may be considered. Drug hormone regulation may also be one of the treatment options.

The root cause of dysmenorrhea may vary from person to person, and the means of improvement also need to be personalized. If your dysmenorrhea is not relieved for a long time or the symptoms are aggravated, you should consult a professional as soon as possible to screen for potential diseases. Through active treatment and lifestyle adjustments, most people can significantly relieve pain and improve their quality of life.