Correct use of pain relievers

The article was professionally consulted by Pharmacist Dinh Thi My Hanh - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Dysmenorrhea is a symptom that many women experience. To treat symptoms and minimize the impact on fertility, patients need to use menstrual pain relievers properly according to the instructions of doctors and pharmacists.

There are 2 causes of dysmenorrhea, namely: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Accordingly, primary dysmenorrhea is quite common and less severe than secondary dysmenorrhea, although both conditions cause severe pain.
The uterus is made up entirely of muscle except for the innermost lining of the endometrium. With each menstrual cycle, this endometrial lining prepares the embryo for implantation by developing a layer of tissue rich in blood vessels and nutrients. When the body realizes it's not pregnant, a hormonal change occurs that triggers menstruation and releases a chemical called prostaglandin, which causes the uterine muscles to contract to push the lining of the uterus. rich blood vessels out. The higher the concentration of prostaglandins, the stronger the contractions of the uterus, the more painful the menstrual cramps will be.
The above condition is primary dysmenorrhea. Any woman who is menstruating can experience primary dysmenorrhea, and it usually begins a few days before her period and subsides once her period ends. For many women, pain medication can be used to relieve pain, but for some, the pain can be debilitating and affect quality of life, causing them to miss school or work. Treating the underlying cause is key to reducing primary dysmenorrhea.

However, secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by an underlying health problem, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections, problems with the intrauterine device uterine fibroids (also called IUD), or uterine fibroids. Secondary dysmenorrhea is more severe and usually affects women who have been menstruating for many years. This condition will also be painful even if the person is not experiencing PMS or during menstruation. Therefore, if you have secondary dysmenorrhea, you will need to seek medical treatment and should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Common dysmenorrhea symptoms include:
Sharp or cramping pain in the lower abdomen. The pain may begin 1 to 3 days before menstruation, may be most painful within 24 hours after the start of menstruation, and subsides after 2-3 days. Dull, constant pain that can spread to the lower back and thighs In addition, some women also experience other symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and loose stools.

Using pain relievers is an effective way to relieve menstrual pain. Some medications to relieve menstrual pain are as follows:
3.1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) NSAIDs are the first line of treatment for dysmenorrhea. The mechanism of pain relief of these drugs is to reduce the prostaglandin that causes pain. Currently the commonly used drugs are ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, mefenamic acid.
Patients should start taking the pill 1-2 days before menstruation or when the pain starts and lasts 2-3 days. These drugs should be taken with or after meals to minimize gastrointestinal irritation.
However, NSAIDs should not be used in people sensitive to Aspirin because of the risk of cross-allergic reactions. The drug is also not recommended for people with stomach ulcers. Patients should consult their doctor before using the drug.

3.2. Paracetamol & Caffeine Paracetamol is a mild pain reliever and an effective choice when patients cannot take NSAIDs due to stomach side effects. Paracetamol is also effective for patients with nausea and vomiting because it does not cause stomach irritation. When combined with caffeine, it can increase the analgesic effect of the drug. The maximum dose of Paracetamol is 4g/day
3.3. The antispasmodic drug Hyoscine has an antispasmodic effect that will relieve the cramps of menstrual pain. When taking this medicine can cause dry mouth, constipation, decreased vision due to anticholinergic effects. Therefore, it is contraindicated in women with narrow-angle glaucoma or taking other anticholinergic drugs.
Alverin is also a drug that inhibits contractions, often used in cases of pain caused by spasms, such as menstrual pain. This drug is contraindicated in patients with low blood pressure.

3.4. Oral contraceptives Oral contraceptives are hormone therapy that can reduce menstrual pain by up to 90%. The mechanism of the drug is to keep the body's hormones in a stable state, so less tissue is developed in the lining of the uterus, so it does not trigger the production of prostaglandins, thereby not causing menstrual pain.
Common side effects of this drug include mood swings, headache, nausea, chest pain, weight gain due to fluid retention. The drug is not used for pregnant and lactating women (after birth 6 weeks - 6 months)

In addition to using drugs, you can make lifestyle changes and maintain a diet to reverse menstrual cramps as follows:
Change to a healthy diet, you should add vitamins A, C, E, B6, B12, iron, magnesium... Should rest, reduce stress, drink plenty of water, exercise Stop smoking Can apply heat to the lower abdomen to relieve pain Consider combining multiple methods above methods together to relieve menstrual pain. For example, light exercise and taking an NSAID may be more effective than either method alone. You should seek medical attention immediately if the pain lasts longer than your period, if you have unusual bleeding, are nauseated or vomiting, or may be pregnant.
To use effective menstrual pain relievers, you need to strictly follow the instructions of the prescribing doctor as well as the pharmacist advising on the use of the drug.

Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including women's diseases, obstetrics and gynecology. With a system of modern facilities, a dedicated and professional team of doctors and medical services, will bring satisfaction to customers when using medical services at Vinmec. .
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.