What should I do if I suddenly have severe menstrual cramps?

Sudden severe menstrual cramps can be relieved by applying hot compresses to the abdomen, taking painkillers, adjusting diet, moderate exercise, and Chinese medicine conditioning. Dysmenorrhea may be related to excessive secretion of prostaglandins, abnormal uterine contractions, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, mental stress and other factors.

1. Apply heat to the abdomen

Use a hot water bottle or baby warmer to compress the lower abdomen, and control the temperature at 40-50 degrees Celsius for 15-30 minutes each time. Hot compress can promote local blood circulation and relieve uterine smooth muscle spasm, thereby reducing pain. It is necessary to avoid scalding the skin when applying hot compress, and it can be done through clothing. This method is suitable for primary dysmenorrhea, but has limited effect on secondary dysmenorrhea.

2. Take painkillers

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets, and naproxen sodium tablets can inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and effectively relieve pain. These drugs need to be taken at the initial stage of pain and should not be taken on an empty stomach. If dysmenorrhea is accompanied by vomiting or severe discomfort, you can choose celecoxib capsules and other drugs that are less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. All drugs must be used according to doctor's advice, and long-term overdose is not allowed.

3. Adjust your diet

During menstruation, you should avoid raw, cold, spicy, and high-salt foods, and take appropriate amounts of warm brown sugar ginger tea, longan and red date soup and other drinks. Increasing foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts, can help reduce inflammation. Make sure to drink enough water every day, but limit caffeine intake, as caffeine may aggravate uterine contractions.

4. Moderate exercise

Low-intensity exercises such as walking and yoga can be performed during menstruation. In particular, pelvic floor muscle exercises can improve pelvic blood circulation. Avoid strenuous exercise or abdominal pressure movements. Wear loose clothing during exercise and keep warm after exercise. Regular aerobic exercise during non-menstrual periods can reduce prostaglandin levels and prevent dysmenorrhea.

5. Traditional Chinese Medicine conditioning

Moxibustion on acupuncture points such as Guanyuan and Sanyinjiao can warm the meridians and dispel cold. Moxibustion lasts for 10-15 minutes each time. Traditional Chinese medicine can be used to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, such as Shaofu Zhuyu Granules and Guizhi Fuling Pills, or take decoctions made from Chinese angelica, Chuanxiong and other medicinal materials according to your body constitution. Acupuncture treatment needs to be performed by a professional physician, and usually the best effect is to start the intervention 1 week before menstruation.

You need to maintain a regular daily schedule and avoid staying up late and overexertion. Pay attention to keeping your abdomen warm during menstruation, and you can use the uterine warmer patch to continue the warming effect. Record the menstrual cycle and pain level. If dysmenorrhea worsens, non-menstrual pain or abnormal bleeding occurs, seek medical attention promptly to check for endometriosis and other organic diseases. For those with long-term severe dysmenorrhea, it is recommended to complete gynecological ultrasound and hormone level examination.