What causes abdominal pain during menstruation?

There are two main categories of reasons for abdominal pain during menstruation: non-disease factors and disease-related factors. Non-disease factors include physiological causes such as endometrial shedding, exposure to cold, improper diet, medication effects, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. For example, the shedding of the endometrium may stimulate local nerves and cause abdominal pain; exposure to cold or poor dietary choices can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal discomfort. Excessive secretion of prostaglandins is another important cause of menstrual pain—high levels of prostaglandins can lead to excessive contraction of the uterine smooth muscle, resulting in abdominal pain. Disease-related factors include dysmenorrhea, particularly primary dysmenorrhea, which may be associated with hormonal imbalances or family history. Gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and ovarian cysts can also exacerbate abdominal pain during menstruation. If the pain persists or worsens, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.