What are the causes of menstrual cramps?
Menstrual cramps are muscular contractions in the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, compounds called prostaglandins build up in the lining of the uterus and cause the uterine muscles to contract. Strong muscle contractions can restrict the flow of oxygen to the uterus, which causes pain and discomfort. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a problem with the reproductive organs. The causes of secondary dysmenorrhea include: • Endometrosis – endometrial cells, which normally line the inside of the uterus, start to grow in areas outside of the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes or ovaries. • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a bacterial infection of the reproductive organs. PID is often caused by a sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. • Cervical stenosis – narrowing of the cervical opening that restricts the menstrual flow, which causes a buildup of pressure and pain. • Uterine fibroids – fibroids are noncancerous tumor-like growths that form on the inside lini
