Dysmenorrhea or Painful menstruation is defined as severe, painful cramping centered in the lower abdomen that occurs with menstruation. Other symptoms may occur just before or during menses, they include: Backache, Pulling sensation in the inner thighs, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Sweating, Tachycardia (fast heartbeat), Tremulousness (shakiness) and Pain in the legs.

Dysmenorrhea is classified as primary or secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea usually starts one to two years after a female’s first period. It is thought to be due to prostaglandins, a group of chemicals made by the tissue that lines the uterus.

The uterus is a muscular organ that can contract and relax. Prostaglandins cause the uterus to contract and expel menstrual flow. When the uterus contracts it may produce a cramping pain. Most of the prostaglandin release is during the first 48 hours of menstruation. This is why the pain is most intense during the first few days of the menstrual period and then lessens, usually lasting 1 to 3 days. Women with painful menstrual periods make larger amounts of prostaglandins than women who do not have these symptoms.

Secondary dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstrual periods due to other conditions. It is most often seen in women over 20 years of age. With secondary dysmenorrhea, the pain may begin several days before a woman’s period, may worsen during a menstrual period, and may even persist after a woman’s period ends.

The causes of secondary dysmenorrhea are:

Endometriosis - a condition where the tissue that usually only lines the inside of the uterus is found growing outside the uterus. This tissue responds to monthly hormonal changes wherever it is located.

Fibroid - non-cancerous tumors, or growths, in the uterus.

Pelvic inflammatory disease - a bacterial infection of the uterus that sometimes spreads to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Most cases are sexually transmitted.

Cervical stenosis - narrowing of the cervix as it leads to the uterus.

Intrauterine device - a small contraceptive device that is placed in the uterus.

If you find any symptoms of Dysmenorrhea you should go to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

A menstrual cycle is said to be regular when a woman gets her period every 4 weeks. Normally 28 days is the cycle when one should have her period but it can vary to 24 or even 30 days.

 What is a Cycle?

The first day your period comes is Day 1 of your cycle. Around Day 5, your pituitary gland tells your ovaries to start preparing one of the eggs they contain for release. One egg will mature completely, and at the same time the lining of your uterus gets thicker. The lining becomes thick to prepare a nesting place for the fertilized egg in the event that you become pregnant. On or about Day 14, the egg breaks loose (which is called ovulation) and makes its way through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If sperm hasn’t fertilized the egg, it will disintegrate. About 2 weeks later, the lining and egg leave your body as your period and the whole thing starts all over again – this is what we call cycle.

All this may not go perfect if your body has any kind of Illness, rapid weight change, or stress that can also make things more unpredictable because the part of the brain that regulates periods is influenced.

There may be irregular periods in many people, they may last for 2 days or for 10 days this is due to the level of hormones your body manufactures can be different from one cycle to the next and this affects the amount and length of bleeding.

One can find one or more of the following symptoms:

 Back cramps or stiffness

 Heavier breasts or breast soreness (after ovulation and before you get your period)

 Headaches

 Acne breakouts

 Disturbed sleep patterns

 Mood swings

 Stomach pain.

These symptoms are normal and as you grow the cycle will settle into a pattern.

Some develop irregular periods, or stop having periods altogether due to hormone imbalance. Disorders of the thyroid gland can also cause menstrual irregularities. If the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood become too low or too high women have irregular periods because their bodies produce too much androgen. High amounts of androgen can also cause hair growth on the face, chin, chest, and abdomen, and is sometimes associated with excessive weight gain.

One should consult a doctor if her periods are irregular for other reasons, the doctor may prescribe hormone pills or other medications that will help her to have regular periods.

In some women who are sexually active and have missed a period this could be a sign of pregnancy. See your doctor if you start having periods that last longer than 7 to 10 days or are accompanied by severe cramping or abdominal pain.

Normal vaginal discharge is common and can vary somewhat in texture and color. They can be somewhat thin, sticky and elastic, or thick and gooey. Vaginal fluids should be clear, white, or off-white in color. It's important to keep an eye out for changes in vaginal fluids. The following changes may indicate a problem:

Unpleasant odor, change in color, vaginal itching, burning, swelling, or redness
Change in color that is caused by vaginal bleeding or spotting that is not a menstrual period.

Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis (yeast infection), and trichomoniasis are common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge. Some infections such as gonorrhea are transmitted by having sex, other infections can occur with or without having sex, such as bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection.

Although the symptoms of these infections can be very similar, there are some differences to look for:

Yeast infections may cause your discharge to become very white and thick, resembling cottage cheese. A yeast infection usually does not cause a strong odor, but it may cause severe itching and burning.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) may cause your discharge to be heavier than usual. The fluids may become foamy or frothy and grayish in color. BV often causes vaginal fluids to have an unpleasant, fishy odor.

Trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted disease (STD), may cause a musty, stale odor. Discharge may become grayish or yellow-green and may become thicker. Trichomoniasis also often causes vaginal itching and pain during urination.

If you recognize any of these symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge it is very important to see a doctor