Menstrual pain is a condition experienced by almost all women. However, for some women and young girls, the severity of menstrual pain can reach levels that require injections or even hospitalization. If menstrual pain responds to oral painkillers, there is likely no significant underlying pathology. However, young girls and women who experience menstrual pain severe enough to require hospital visits may have underlying pathologies and must be evaluated and examined by a gynecologist.
Contrary to common belief, severe menstrual pain should not be considered normal. This misconception leads to delays in diagnosing underlying pathologies. Therefore, severe menstrual pain and cramps that do not respond to pills must be investigated and evaluated by a physician.
Which pathologies can underlie severe menstrual cramps?
If severe menstrual cramps have been present since the very first period, developmental pathologies of the uterus and genital organs may be the cause; these can be diagnosed through ultrasonography and examination. Occasionally, intrauterine polyps, myomas (fibroids), and infections can also cause pain during periods. These problems can also be identified through examination and ultrasonography. However, the most well-known cause of severe menstrual cramps is the condition called endometriosis, also known as chocolate cyst disease. The diagnosis of this disease, which can also be seen in young girls, is frequently delayed because the menstrual pain is considered normal. However, when diagnosed early, it is possible to keep endometriosis under control and prevent the need for surgical intervention.
Endometriosis has many different types. There is a form that only affects the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), a form that causes cysts in the ovaries, and a more severe form called deep endometriosis, which involves and narrows the intestines and urinary tracts. Therefore, in a woman with severe menstrual pain, the presence of endometriosis should be investigated, and the specific type should be identified through examination and diagnostic tests.
Does menstrual pain indicate infertility?
If the cause of severe menstrual pain is endometriosis, it can lead to infertility. One-third of endometriosis patients may experience infertility problems. The type of endometriosis is crucial regarding its impact on infertility. Specifically, if it is the form that causes tubal blockage, forms adhesions within the abdomen, or creates large cysts in the ovaries, it is very likely that infertility will accompany the disease. Therefore, the type and extent of endometriosis are very important in causing infertility, and the specific form of the disease must be identified.
It should be known that severe menstrual pain is not normal. If there are menstrual cramps that do not subside with medication, the underlying pathology is highly likely to be endometriosis (chocolate cyst disease). This disease has various forms, and it is possible to keep it under control with early diagnosis. In forms that are widespread and cause adhesions, infertility may occur. For this reason, it is essential for women and young girls with severe menstrual pain to be evaluated for the presence of endometriosis.
