Painful Periods Quiz: What's Your Menstrual Pain IQ?

Pain during menstruation is "normal."
True
False
Pain during menstruation is "normal."
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, most women have some discomfort during their periods, and more than half have some pain for one or two days each month.

Menstrual pain is considered abnormal "dysmenorrhea" when:
Over-the-counter medications don't work
Pain begins on the first day of the menstrual period
Pain lasts an entire menstrual period
Pain prevents you from engaging in normal activities
Menstrual pain is considered abnormal "dysmenorrhea" when:
Menstrual pain so severe that it keeps you from your normal activities is known as “dysmenorrhea." In most cases, it can be treated.

Which of the following is a potential symptom of dysmenorrhea?
Vomiting
Dizziness
Headache
All of the above
Which of the following is a potential symptom of dysmenorrhea?
Potential symptoms of dysmenorrhea include cramps or pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, a "pulling" feeling in the inner thighs, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness.

Painful periods are the second leading cause of absences at school or work among women in their teens and 20s.
True
False
Painful periods are the second leading cause of absences at school or work among women in their teens and 20s.
They're not the second leading cause of school and job absences, according to the National Institutes of Health -- they're the leading cause.

Women with painful periods should avoid sex.
True
False
Women with painful periods should avoid sex.
In general, women with painful periods do not need to avoid sex. In fact, orgasms can relieve menstrual cramps in some women. However, there could be specific reasons a certain individual might be advised to avoid sex, so consult your doctor if you have questions.

Painful periods can be caused by endometriosis, a condition that occurs when endometrial tissue, which lines the inside of the uterus, begins to:
Swell
Hemorrhage
Calcify
Develop in other parts of the body
Painful periods can be caused by endometriosis, a condition that occurs when endometrial tissue, which lines the inside of the uterus, begins to:
In endometriosis, endometrial tissue forms in other areas in the body, such as on the ovaries, bladder, bowel, or on the outer surface of the uterus. This can lead to scarring within the abdominal cavity and pain.

Painful periods can be caused by fibroids, which are:
Benign tumors of the uterus
Malignant tumors of the uterus
A type of ovarian cyst
None of the above
Painful periods can be caused by fibroids, which are:
Fibroids can form on the outside, the inside, or in the walls of the uterus, and can cause pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.

You should see a doctor if you have severe menstrual cramps or cramps that last for:
More than a day
More than two or three days
An entire menstrual period
Two consecutive menstrual periods
You should see a doctor if you have severe menstrual cramps or cramps that last for:
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends seeing a doctor if you have severe menstrual cramps or cramps that last for more than two or three days. You also should see a doctor if you have a fever, a foul-smelling, unusual, or increased vaginal discharge, if your period is more than a week late, or if your pain occurs at times other than menstruation. Call your doctor if you recently got an IUD or if you pass blood clots or have other symptoms along with the pain.

You're more likely to experience menstrual cramps or prolonged pain if you:
Smoke
Drink alcohol
Have heavy periods
All of the above
You're more likely to experience menstrual cramps or prolonged pain if you:
Women are more likely to experience menstrual cramps or prolonged pain if they have heavy periods, smoke, or drink alcohol. They're also more likely to experience them if they started their first period at an early age (younger than 11), or if their menstrual periods last five days or longer.

Most menstrual pain occurs during which phase of the cycle?
During ovulation
Just after ovulation
When the egg moves into one of the fallopian tubes
When the uterus sheds its lining
Most menstrual pain occurs during which phase of the cycle?
The menstrual period begins when the uterus sheds its lining, and this is when most menstrual pain occurs.

Acupressure and acupuncture can help prevent painful periods.
True
False
Acupressure and acupuncture can help prevent painful periods.
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, acupressure and acupuncture may help relieve menstrual pain, but they cannot prevent it.

Which of the following may help ease menstrual pain?
Thiamine
Caffeine
Sodium chloride
Guar gum
Which of the following may help ease menstrual pain?
According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, thiamine (vitamin B1) may help ease menstrual pain, though it cannot prevent it. Thiamine can be found in cereal grains, beans, nuts, and meat. Vitamin B6 and calcium and magnesium supplements may also be helpful.

Meditation and other stress-reducing techniques can help ease menstrual pain.
True
False
Meditation and other stress-reducing techniques can help ease menstrual pain.
Meditation, yoga, and other relaxation and stress-reducing techniques can help ease menstrual pain. Exercise and getting enough sleep also can be helpful.

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can ease menstrual pain. Which of the following is an example of an NSAID?
Estrogen
Ibuprofen
Tetracycline
None of the above
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can ease menstrual pain. Which of the following is an example of an NSAID?
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are available over the counter for menstrual pain. They work best if you begin taking them as soon as symptoms appear or your period starts for the first few days of your period. Some people should not take NSAIDs. For example, you should not take NSAIDs if you have a bleeding disorder, ulcers, or kidney or liver damage. NSAIDs may also interact with other drugs you may be taking. Your health care provider can advise you on the safety of over-the-counter or prescription NSAID use.

Which of the following treatments for painful periods thins the inner lining of the uterus?
NSAIDs
Birth control pills
Heat treatments
None of the above
Which of the following treatments for painful periods thins the inner lining of the uterus?
Birth control pills and other methods of hormonal contraception help control the growth of the lining of the uterus so less prostaglandin is produced; less prostaglandin means fewer contractions and less pain.

Menstrual pain may ease after childbirth.
True
False
Menstrual pain may ease after childbirth.
Many women have less painful periods after childbirth, or as they get older.