Risk Factors

What Can Increase The Risk Of Period Cramps?

While period cramps as a symptom of menstrual bleeding can be experienced by anyone, there are certain factors which increase the risk of experiencing period cramps. These are:

1. Age up to 30 years

2. Younger age at menarche

3. Longer and heavier menstrual bleeding

4. Smoking

5. Higher or lower than normal body mass index

6. Family history of dysmenorrhea

7. Nulliparity (a female who has never given birth to a live baby)

What can exacerbate the risk of period cramps?

Certain medical conditions can increase the risk of period cramps. These are:

1. Endometriosis: A condition in which tissues similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus, causing pain and inflammation.

2. Adenomyosis: A condition in which the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus, causing heavier bleeding and painful cramps.

3. Uterine fibroids: Noncancerous growth in the wall of the uterus causing painful cramps.

4. Ovarian cysts: An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on an ovary.

5. Pelvic inflammatory disease: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female reproductive system, which includes the womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

6. Cervical stenosis: In some women, the opening of the cervix is small, which can obstruct menstrual flow and cause pain.

What other things can period cramps cause?

1. Period cramps itself does not cause any complications apart from disruption in daily activities, loss of productivity, poor quality of sleep, and negative effects on mood.

1. Secondary dysmenorrhea might cause some complications like infertility, heavy bleeding, endometrial carcinoma, and anemia based on the underlying issue.