I get severe cramps, body ache, and vomiting during periods. Why?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 23-year-old female. I have a lot of cramps, vomiting, and body ache during my periods. I take Meftal spas and it reduces pain after some hours. But it does not work all the time. Also, my breasts are small, the areola is puffy and shrinks when touched. My areola is puffy during normal days too. Please help me understand these things.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Menstrual cycles are of two types ovulatory (when ovum is released ) and anovulatory. Ovulatory cycles are accompanied by pain, nausea, and cramps. That is due to prostaglandins produced in the body and can be managed by painkillers like the Meftal spas (Mefenamic acid, Dicyclomine HCl) you are taking. Another very effective way of managing pain is yoga and exercise which tend to reduce the effect of the prostaglandins produced and also this pain tends to reduce with increasing age.

Addressing your next concern, puffy areola is very common and the shrinky feel on touch is a normal reaction to touch which causes the nipples to get erect and the surrounding skin to contract. From your photo (attachment removed to protect patient identity), though your breasts are small they are normal and fully developed. The size depends on various factors like genetics, total body size, amount of nutrition during development, and your total weight. A petite frame usually has a smaller breast. There are no methods to naturally increase breast size except for pregnancy and lactation or artificially by breast augmentation.

I hope this helps.