Most women face abdominal pain on a monthly basis with menstruation as its main cause. There are simple remedies available over the counter that will aid specifically to relieve of cramping. Ibuprophen is the best over the counter medication since it helps relieve inflammation, which is in part why cramping happens, along with muscles working to release the endometrial layer that builds every month with the expectation of pregnancy.

In some cases women have extreme cramping or other abdominal pain not associated with their cycles. One culprit that can be a minimal problem to extremely severe is endometriosis. Doctors aren’t sure why women get endometriosis or what causes it. Some women have abrasions where the inflammation of endometriosis collects, causing extreme pain. Other women have microscopic inflammation, and other women need complete hysterectomies from severe tissue that has cysts or tumors with tissue that has collected and is inflamed from this disease.

Endometriosis is quite uncomfortable if not downright painful. With more women coming forth with symptoms, doctors have started locating medications that do work to minimize pain, as well as to stop the estrogen feeding cycle of endometriosis. Because the inflammation is fed by estrogen during a woman’s cycle, there are hormonal medications, including some progesterone birth control pills that regulate the levels of estrogen in the body. Some women choose to have veins cauterized with surgery or to simply have their entire uterus removed, however, some inflamed tissue can still remain. Choosing an option for treatment must be done carefully.

Endometriosis is generally diagnosed with a non-invasive surgery called laparoscopy, where a tube is inserted into the bellybutton and a camera is able to view the lining of the endometrium. This is generally where the inflamed tissue collects, however, with the scope, doctors can see what’s going on inside. Treatment options can be determined from diagnosis.