What's going on with dysmenorrhea, nausea and vomiting?

Dysmenorrhea accompanied by nausea and vomiting may be related to factors such as fluctuations in hormone levels, excessive secretion of prostaglandins, gastrointestinal disorders, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc. It can be relieved by hot compresses, drug analgesia, diet adjustment, psychological counseling, surgical treatment, etc.

1. Fluctuations in hormone levels

During menstruation, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body decrease, which may stimulate the contraction of gastrointestinal smooth muscles and cause nausea and vomiting. This type of physiological reaction is usually accompanied by a feeling of distension in the lower abdomen and does not require special treatment. Symptoms can be relieved by drinking ginger tea or applying hot compresses to the abdomen. If vomiting is severe, you can use vitamin B6 tablets as directed by your doctor to relieve discomfort.

2. Excessive secretion of prostaglandins

Excess prostaglandins are released when the endometrium is shed, which not only causes uterine cramping pain, but also stimulates the gastrointestinal mucosa and causes nausea and vomiting. It is recommended to start taking ibuprofen sustained-release capsules or acetaminophen tablets 3 days before menstruation to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, and avoid eating raw and cold foods to aggravate gastrointestinal irritation.

3. Gastrointestinal dysfunction

Sympathetic nerve excitement during dysmenorrhea may affect gastrointestinal motility, causing symptoms such as acid reflux and vomiting. You can eat easily digestible foods such as soda crackers or rice porridge in small amounts and frequently, and use domperidone tablets to promote gastric emptying. During menstruation, special attention should be paid to keeping the abdomen warm to avoid gastrointestinal cramps induced by cold drinks.

4. Endometriosis

Ectopic endometrium may invade the rectum or bladder, causing severe dysmenorrhea with projectile vomiting. Such patients often present with progressively worsening pelvic pain, which requires ultrasound examination for diagnosis. Dienogest tablets or leuprolide acetate microspheres for injection are commonly used clinically to inhibit intimal growth. In severe cases, laparoscopic surgery is required to remove the lesions.

5. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic adhesions caused by bacterial infection can cause severe lower abdominal pain during menstruation accompanied by fever and vomiting. The typical manifestation is an increase in purulent secretions before and after menstruation, and secretion culture needs to be performed for diagnosis. In the acute phase, intravenous ceftriaxone sodium combined with metronidazole sodium chloride injection is required to fight infection. For chronic inflammation, pelvic floor microwave physiotherapy can be used.

During dysmenorrhea, it is recommended to choose warm and easy-to-digest foods such as millet porridge and yam soup to avoid dairy products and high-fat diets that aggravate the gastrointestinal burden. Hot compressing the lower abdomen with a 40℃ hot water bottle for 15 minutes every day can relieve muscle spasms. Moderate yoga or jogging during premenstrual period can help promote pelvic blood circulation. If vomiting results in the inability to eat or symptoms of dehydration, seek medical attention promptly for rehydration treatment. Recording the changes in symptoms during the menstrual cycle can help doctors determine the cause of the disease. People with long-term severe dysmenorrhea need to check for organic diseases.