Vomiting and back pain while on period

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am a 26 yr old female. I started my period yesterday and the pain is much worse than normal.. Especially in my back and it is also causing me to heavily vomit which I have never experienced before. I have no appetite either. The pain comes on in waves and is almost unbearable. What can the cause of this be?

Dear Erica: Your pain caoould be caused due to dysmenorrhea. It is defined as difficult menstrual flow or painful menstruation. High levels of prostaglandins which cause stimulation and contraction of the uterine muscles are though to be the cause of dysmenorrhea.

Application of warm compresses to the lower abdomen and painkillers like ibuprofen may help to relieve the pain. If the pain is not relieved by these measures I would advice you to see your doctor to rule out endometriosis, adenomyosis, ovarian cyst, uterine polyps and adhesion which may present with similar signs and symptoms.