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The new abortion law will include a chapter on the right to menstrual health, such as sick leave for having a period, which will be three days. This problem, which affects between 20% and 80% of women of reproductive age, reduces their quality of life and is undertreated in many of them.
The medical term for painful menstruations is known as dysmenorrhea, and it usually appears in adolescence and the end of reproductive life. It is not just a specific and localized pain in the abdominal area, can also cause heavy bleeding, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, headache and diarrhea, which in any other scenario would cause medical leave.
However, until now the only solution for women suffering from these symptoms has been to go to the doctor and request temporary disability every month. Or try to maintain a normal life with pain medication. The new abortion law includes an extensive chapter on the right to menstrual health that aims to put an end to this type of situation.
Of course, the measure – which would mean a three-day sick leave – is not free of controversy and has opened a political and social debate. But What is meant by a painful period? María Teulón González, head of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service at the Fuenlabrada University Hospital, explains it: “It is something that influences a woman's quality of life and cannot be solved with simple medical treatment.”
Of course, there are studies that report much higher percentages, with values that could reach 80% of menstruating women. “It is an underdiagnosed and undertreated health problem.” in a significant percentage of them,” adds Teulón, who is also a professor at the Rey Juan Carlos University.
Causes behind this disorder
To define what causes this painful menstruation, We can classify it as primary or secondary dysmenorrhea.. “While secondary dysmenorrhea is usually caused by recognizable pathologies such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease, in primary dysmenorrhea we do not find any underlying disorder,” states Estadella.
“It is usually the result of an alteration in the production of inflammatory substances, called prostanoids. In fact, with each ovulation and menstruation there are increases in these products. And in those cases in which this production is greater, it will cause greater pelvic inflammation that will ultimately translate into menstrual pain,” he continues.
Regarding what restrictions this problem can cause, Teulón maintains that it is a disorder that occurs frequently and causes significant absenteeism from school and work, although he points out that Only a part maintains a significant limitation in their quality of life that prevents them from carrying out normal activity.
“It is estimated that up to 15% of patients "Those who have menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea may have symptoms so intense that they are forced to be absent from their educational or work center or go to both in conditions where they cannot perform the same," Estadella emphasizes.
What to do to relieve this pain
To calm the discomfort, there are different options, from analgesic treatment to reduce the level of pain, therapies aimed at reducing the production of these prostanoids that are secreted in excess, to hormonal methods to block ovulation (and, therefore, stop the increase in these substances that are produced at consequence of the rule).
“The usual treatment of dysmenorrhea is based on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), paracetamol and oral contraceptives,” says Teulón.
“Local heat and light physical exercise could also contribute to early improvement of pain. However, for the moment the role of alternative therapies (acupuncture) or introduction of changes in diet has not been able to demonstrate improvement,” he points out.
According to Estadella, “the important thing in all cases would be outline possible treatment options for each patient and reach consensus decisions about which is the best option and which best suits your personal situation.”
When to see a specialist
The approach to habitual dysmenorrhea can be carried out within the scope of the general practitioner, who can prescribe any of the usual treatments. “You should go to a specialist when the usual procedure does not solve the problem or the impact on the patient's quality of life is significant”, explains Teulon.
The professor from the Autonomous University of Barcelona considers the same: “We should not normalize pain. Above all, when it affects women's daily activities and forces them to modify them or stop doing them."
Leave from work with medical reports
Experts believe that the issue of withdrawal is just like for any other disease. “The possibility of a time of rest should be offered in cases of intense discomfort that does not allow daily activities to be carried out. And, most importantly, do not minimize it just because it is a menstrual condition. We must provide optimal care, with a good diagnosis and treatment, as in any other pathology,” explains Estadella.
For her part, Teulón positively values the introduction of this new consideration to an important health problem for some women. "But It should only be implemented in adequately studied and treated patients. If not handled well, it can be a weapon that increases the existing gender gap because we will lose competitiveness in the labor market,” he concludes.
