Phoebe Magazine - October 2021 (1)

The Physician’s Touch
Hello doctor, I am Jane Doe.
I have been experiencing a series of terrible cramps most days when I walk. It is not
consecutive in a day but it happens at least twice per week. I would oftentimes see a
discharge from my body that is white. What could be the cause of this?
Could you shed some light on period pains and what usually causes intense period pain? Is
there any over-the-counter medication that you would recommend for treating intense
period pains? Apart from hormonal problems and fibroids, what else could cause irregular
periods?
Period or menstrual pains are as a result of the contraction of the uterus or womb as the
inner lining from it is shed. This happens in a cyclic manner and defers from woman to
woman. So the amount of time from one period to the next varies.
The pain which occurs with menstruation is caused by the contraction of the uterus and the
severity of these contractions is not the same for every woman. A number of factors affect the
intensity of these contractions. Stress, alcohol, caffeine and smoking are some things which
can worsen menstrual pains.
It is also often the norm that as young girls begin to experience the changes in their bodies
associated with puberty and the new changes as it relates to the levels of special hormones in
their bodies, that their periods may be more painful and somewhat irregular initially.
However, there are conditions which can cause very severe menstrual pain along with other
incapacitating symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and generalized weakness along with
pain in the back, anus and hips. These conditions include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory
disease, fibroids and certain hormonal problems.
Common medications which can be used to assist with menstrual cramps include aspirin,
ibuprofen, panadol which are all over-the-counter. If more potent medications are needed
then those would need to be prescribed by a doctor. It sometimes help to start medication a
day or two before your period is expected to begin.
Every woman who continues to experience severe menstrual cramps should be evaluated by a
doctor as this may be a symptom of another medical issue.
# I AM A PHOEBE, A BEACON OF LIGHT FOR CHRIST