What Causes Menstrual Cramp Pain?
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) are the sharp pains in the pelvis and lower abdomen that a woman may have during her menstrual cycle. According to MedicineNet.com, about 50% of women have menstrual cramps, and 15% of these women describe the pain as severe. Cramps are primarily caused by the chemical prostaglandin, which is produced by the tissue that lines the uterus. Prostraglandin causes the muscles of the uterus to contract during a woman’s monthly cycle. According to eMedicineHealth, women with high levels of prostraglandin may have more intense contractions and hence more pain. However, while prostraglandin is the primary cause of menstrual cramps, there are a host of secondary causes as well.
