Secondary dysmenorrhea differs to primary dysmenorrhea as it arises from a gynaecologic or non-gynaecologic condition or disorder. Pain may be felt during your period, before, after and also throughout your menstrual cycle and can be quite severe. Secondary dysmenorrhea requires a targeted treatment so it is important to keep a track of your symptoms and speak with your GP or trusted health practitioner about a diagnosis.

Conditions that may cause secondary dysmenorrhea include Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Uterine Fibroids, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Adenomyosis, Irritable bowel disease and Psychogenic disorders.

Recent studies suggest there is a relationship between how our organs function (such as the uterus) and the musculoskeletal and autonomic nervous systems. This may mean that if your muscles, bones and autonomic nerves primarily around your lower abdomen, lower back and pelvis are not functioning well, this could be leading to secondary dysmenorrhea. Furthermore, there is link between emotional well-being and the severity of dysmenorrhea. Your emotional wellbeing may be affected by environmental stress, nutrition or an underlying psychological condition.

Fuelling your body for success

Despite wanting to eat all of the chocolate in the world, eating whole foods and fresh fruit and vegetables that are low or spray free is a great way to give your endocrine system some love. Keeping your alcohol, drug and coffee intake in check is also a good idea to help decrease inflammation in the body and decrease symptoms of anxiety and irritability. Get in contact with your local nutritionist or naturopath for some more specific nutrition advice.

Use a period tracker app

If you think your period cramps may be associated with something more than just menstruation, download a period tracker app and keep a track of your symptoms for the duration of your cycle. If you decide a trip to the GP is needed, this will help your doctor have a better understanding about may be happening in your body.

Osteopathy

Through the use of manual therapy techniques, Osteopaths can alleviate stressors such as tight fascia, muscles and ligaments around your pelvis, so the body is able to accommodate the adverse symptoms of dysmenorrhea more easily. By addressing the nervous system and calming the “flight or fight” response,

you may find the pain associated with dysmenorrhea changes. While your Osteopath may not be able to diagnose certain conditions that cause secondary dysmenorrhea, they are able to support you every step of the way and ensure your body is functioning as well as it can be. Osteopaths can work alongside you to create a team of health care professionals to help you decide what is best for your wellbeing and ensure you are receiving the best care possible.

FUN FACT: Have you ever wondered why you crave chocolate, lollies and other carbohydrate heavy foods before and during menstruation? In some women, as estrogen levels drop when menstruation begins so does their serotonin levels. By eating carbohydrates, our insulin levels spike and this leads to an increased availability of tryptophan. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used by the body to produce the hormone serotonin. Therefore, increased carbs = increased tryptophan = increased serotonin. Why does this happen? Put simply, Serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate our mood along with its many other roles. It helps us feel happy and if there isn’t enough, it can make us feel pretty ordinary. To keep this balance in order, we may begin to crave carb rich foods. This is normal and understanding why this happens can help you feel more comfortable with the ebs and flows of your cycle.