Written by: m.wilson
Is it possible that there are women who are at least slightly put off by motherhood after years and maybe decades of torturous menstrual symptoms? That a particular state of mind could develop towards one’s nature as a result of severe pain cycles lasting a week of every month? And even if these women enjoy the idea of a beautiful, healthy child of one’s own to love and share with an excellent partner, could they, perhaps, not be as psyched about getting pregnant as other females with less discomfort?
Such a phenomenon might be attributed to many factors and could vary by individual. For example, there may be a subconscious sense of already being burdened and previously engaged with the birthing process – like from (going into labor) every month. Such a sensation might dull the motherly instinct, making the thought of managing any additional upheaval or of sacrificing the joys of their present lifestyle or career, unattractive. The potential circumstances for childbirth, like finding a partner who is competent, loving, supportive, solvent, etc. – may never present securely or sufficiently enough to justify the threat of chaos or of losing more control over one’s life.
“Cervical dilation is why menstrual cramps and labor can be painful. During menstruation, the cervix dilates for less than a centimeter for a few days. However, in childbirth, the cervix can dilate up to ten centimeters!“
- Abdominal cramping or dull ache that moves to lower back and legs
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Headache
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Frequent urination
- Vomiting (not common)
- Low back pain
- Diarrhea
DYSMENORRHEA
People with challenging cramps aren’t much helped by pain tutorials employing the use of pressure points, meditation, breathing, etc. Painkillers (drugs) are the only thing that provides relief – though deep heat can usually buy some time. Whatever is fixed with finger pressure, relaxation techniques, aromatherapy, and so on does not pertain to severe cramping and, if offered, will probably create more frustration and stress.
And especially with irregular menarche, there must always be a plan in place for the onset of cramping or at least knowing where to immediately access painkilling drugs when needed. One can’t be on a lengthy commercial bus ride somewhere or working on location at 10:15 pm in a desolate suburb with no mini-marts, for example. Many women will keep what they need on hand in their bags at all times or risk ending up waiting in line at the (Travel-Day first aid station).
Most available research presents pain with a psychological basis and physiology as a secondary concern. There also wasn’t much on the long-term results of ‘conditioning’ from acute pelvic pain, and there weren’t any studies on the links between severe period pain and one’s decision to have children specifically – in time for this article. However, there were plenty of interesting concepts for discussion, such as “Fear of labor,” “cyclic pelvic pain,” and “psychological morbidity” (in regard to reproduction). But at the same time, any studies focusing on the physical origins of pain might fail to connect the relevant psychological associations affecting the decision to become a mother. There would be numerous variables for interpretation, like with populations, since women with painful cramping could be more like those who have previously given birth – in regards to their higher pain tolerance, for example.
“In Iran the cesarean rate has exceeded international standards and in some areas even up to 45% is reached, one reasons is the fear of vaginal and perineal injury.“
FEAR OF LABOR applies to women electing for cesarean procedures instead of vaginal delivery and is referred to in one study as “pain avoidance”-behavior, “anxiety,” and ‘pain denial,’ each of which are drivers of the Fear of Labor psychology. Cesarean rates are closely monitored in part because it is not vaginal, requires medical intervention, and demonstrates a lack of “pain acceptance.”
“A vivid debate about the woman’s right to choose the mode of delivery is going on in obstetric literature, but discussion on the reasons for women to request a CS, or on the possibilities to help them overcome the fear of vaginal childbirth is scanty. “ – Saisto & Halmesmaki
CYCLIC PELVIC PAIN
“Cyclic pelvic pain is a new concept, developed by the science team during the project. Perimenstrual cyclic pelvic pain is an acute, subjective experience defined by pelvic pain that presents in a repeating time frame associated with the menstrual cycle. It is usually clustered with other discomforts and appreciably affects a woman’s quality of life. Because the science about interventions is complex and extensive, data synthesis led to organization of the interventions within seven categories…” – Sci FLO
Mayo Clinic uses the term ‘menstrual cramps’ – the painful contraction of birthing muscles to describe clinical illnesses like Endometriosis (tissue growing outside the uterus), Uterine Fibroids (growths within the wall of the uterus), Adenomyosis (tissues that extend into the uterine muscles), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (bacterial infection), and Cervical Stenosis (pressure on the opening of the cervix). Mt. Sanai Hospital calls “menstrual pain due to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality within or outside the uterus” and occurring during menarche – “secondary dysmenorrhea.” Grouping these pathologies with menstrual cramping should help women figure out if their pain is atypical, but it could also draw attention away from the “cyclic pelvic pain” women are suffering beyond any pathology. However, when it comes to pain management, such categorization might prove beneficial in the world of medical research.
Another way to bring more attention to pain management and the scientific analysis of dysmenorrhea is to compare it with an illness like cancer, being the ‘funeral of an unfertilized egg,’ and that at times may feel like a grinding and grating sensation in the pelvis. Both of these present symptoms that are treatable with the use of medical marijuana (if one feels like being high), for example, which helps alleviate pain, nausea, upset nerves, insomnia, anxiety, negative mood, convoluted emotions, etc., and probably gentler on the stomach than NSAIDS.
“Previous psychological morbidity and a great number of daily stressors expose a woman to a great risk of fear of childbirth. Fear of childbirth is not an isolated problem but associated with the woman’s personal characteristics, mainly general anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression, and dissatisfaction with their partnership, and lack of support.”
PSYCHOLOGICAL MORBIDITY is a mental disorder like anxiety or depression that makes physical ailments worse, prolongs recovery, and, according to certain experts, affects decisions about motherhood. It’s an interesting term for women’s reproductive health, especially when one considers a ‘morbidly obese’ person, for example, who is at risk of dying at any moment because of the many morbidities associated with their weight. And though Psychological Morbidity applies to everyone, it’s a thorny term that shouldn’t imply that a woman has morbidity because of her family planning decisions. However, on the other hand, there is perhaps something slightly morbid about menstruation in general. Maybe the following are also types of Psychological Morbidity, such as – the regular handling of blood and bloody tissues – like having ‘blood on your hands.’ The way blood flows from the body uncontrollably, like a wound (or incontinence). There is also the decades-long mitigation of the life and death process – (like knowing where the food comes from).
PAIN CONDITIONING
When it comes to something like pain ‘conditioning’ with its various stages and responses, one might refer to the Pavlov experiments and how the pain-stimulus gradually modifies the behavior of his subjects. Therefore, it must be possible that pain affects the decision to have children. It also seems promising to realize the notion that ‘dysmenorrhea is not normal,’ which has been promoted in recent years (and may refer more so to clinical illness), as this could help pain management surpass psychology and reveal the root causes.
In any event, most women take their periods in stride, knowing nothing else but the nature they were born with; are naturally equipped to handle what life hands them – and can perform at the top of class in all areas of society.
