Cramps After Period

Menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea are usually felt in the lower or middle abdomen, which can even radiate to the hips, thighs and back. Commonly described as a "colicky" type of pain due to sudden rise and fall of pain, the severity of cramps varies widely from woman to woman and even between the same woman's periods. Menstrual cramps can be primary or secondary which normally begin a day or so before menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea is common in women whose first period was early in life whereas, secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed in women having other health ailments like endometriosis, fibroid tumors, pelvic adhesions, and ovarian cysts. Cramps after periods is also experienced in women who use intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.

How Menstrual Cramps Happen
A substance called prostaglandins is the most prominent cause for menstrual cramps in women. It is produced by the body and is found in the uterine lining. When the lining starts to shed with menstruation, these substances or hormones are released by the body. They cause the uterus to contract forcefully, which causes menstrual cramps. Prostaglandins also cause vasodilation of the circulatory system, i.e., the arteries and veins expand. This results in pelvic congestion (blood pooling in the pelvis) and further leads to discomfort and heaviness. It can even drop the woman's blood pressure and cause contraction and spasm of the smooth muscle of the gastro-intestinal tract, which causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, lightheadedness along with menstrual cramps. Heavy flow or clots during menstruation cause stretching of the small opening of the cervix which leads to mild or sometimes intense abdominal pain.

Menstrual Cramps After a Period Ends
Quite often, women do experience abdominal cramps after menstrual period, closer to ovulation. To understand why this happens, let us divide the woman's cycle in to three phases:

Phase I: During this phase, the uterus sheds its endometrial lining and a surge of estrogen serves to thicken the mucus to prepare the body for ovulation.

Phase II: This is the woman's fertile time period where she may experience ovulation pain and cramping which can last two to three days. Post menstrual cramping usually occur during this phase.

Phase III: During this phase a surge of progesterone inhibits a subsequent ovulation and serves to maintain the inner lining of the uterus with a rich blood supply.

Cramps after a period is over can be due to following reasons:

• A congestion of mucus in the fallopian tubes may cause swelling and pain which occur a few days before the ovulation, as mucus is excreted before ovulation.
• Another cause for abdominal cramp after period can be a pulsing of the fallopian tubes at ovulation. This pulsing motion enables the ovum to move through the tubes to the uterus.
• Another cause for the condition can be the small amount of blood released at ovulation, which results in pain and cramping as the abdominal lining is sensitive to internal bleeding. This occurs when the ovarian follicle gets ruptured while releasing an egg, which also causes the tearing of a small blood vessel.
• Abdominal cramps is also considered to be a sign of implantation, which occurs very early in pregnancy. Believed to be a normal sign of pregnancy, it is the body's way to prepare itself for the baby.

How to Treat Cramps After a Period
Although cramping is unavoidable, there are different ways to subside the uneasiness and discomfort. Applying a heating pad and a light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower abdomen will help relieving the pain. Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen a day before your period starts till the first few days of your period can reduce the possibilities of having menstrual cramps and pain. Having vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, proves to be beneficiary in alleviating pain and discomfort due the menstrual cramps. Drinking warm beverages, eating light but frequent meals and following a diet rich in complex carbohydrates like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine are some effective home remedies for this problem.

Taking warm showers or baths, practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga and doing regular exercise, are also recommended to overcome pain and cramps after period. However, if these measures don't work and in time the condition worsens, consult a gynecologist to elucidate the case.