Why does my aunt have a stomachache?

Stomach pain in older aunts may be related to changes in hormone levels, endometrial shedding, increased prostaglandin secretion, abnormal uterine contractions, pelvic inflammation and other factors. Dysmenorrhea can be divided into primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea is usually related to elevated prostaglandin levels, and secondary dysmenorrhea may be related to endometriosis, adenomyosis and other diseases.

1. Changes in hormone levels

During menstruation, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body decrease, causing the endometrium to shed, which may stimulate uterine contractions and cause pain. This condition is physiological dysmenorrhea and usually does not require special treatment. It can be relieved by applying hot compresses to the abdomen and drinking appropriate amounts of brown sugar and ginger tea. If the pain is obvious, you can use ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, acetaminophen tablets and other drugs as directed by your doctor.

2. Increased prostaglandin secretion

When the endometrium is shed, a large amount of prostaglandins are released, causing strong contraction of uterine smooth muscle, causing ischemic pain. This pain is mostly concentrated 1-2 days before menstruation and may be accompanied by nausea, dizziness and other symptoms. You can use diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, naproxen capsules and other prostaglandin synthase inhibitors as directed by your doctor, along with local hot compresses for relief.

3. Abnormal uterine contractions

Abnormal position of the uterus or cervical stenosis in some women may lead to poor discharge of menstrual blood. In order to discharge menstrual blood, the uterus will strengthen its contractions, causing spasmodic pain. This kind of situation may be accompanied by blood clots mixed with menstrual blood. It is recommended to avoid sitting for a long time and move around appropriately to promote the discharge of menstrual blood. When the pain is severe, phloroglucinol injection can be used to relieve smooth muscle spasm.

4. Endometriosis

Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity, and ectopic endometrium will also bleed and fall off during menstruation, irritating surrounding tissues and causing persistent pain. The pain usually lasts from before menstruation to after menstruation, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as painful sexual intercourse and painful defecation. After diagnosis, long-term management is required. Drugs such as dienogest tablets and goserelin sustained-release implants can be used as directed by the doctor to inhibit intimal growth.

5. Pelvic inflammation

In patients with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, pelvic congestion worsens during the menstrual period, and inflammatory stimulation can cause lower abdominal pain, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever and abnormal secretions. Anti-infective treatment is required. Commonly used drugs include cefixime dispersible tablets, metronidazole vaginal gel, etc. During an acute attack, bed rest and sexual intercourse are prohibited.

During menstruation, you should keep your abdomen warm, avoid strenuous exercise and cold or raw food, and ensure adequate sleep. If the pain lasts for more than 3 days or is accompanied by fever or abnormal bleeding, you should seek medical treatment promptly. Recording pain patterns and accompanying symptoms can help doctors determine the cause. It is not recommended to take painkillers on your own for a long time to cover up symptoms. Patients with secondary dysmenorrhea need to be treated for the primary disease and undergo regular review to evaluate the progress of the disease.