AIgo NotesFlashcards for:
Crampy Science: The Visceral Pain & Uterine Contractions Behind Menstrual Cramps
How does increased estrogen influence female behavior around ovulation?
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Increased estrogen may enhance libido, potentially helping females overlook a mate's inadequacies around ovulation.
What percentage of the world's population experiences menstrual cramps?
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Pretty much half of the world's population, females, experience menstrual cramps.
Can menstrual cramps be simulated in males?
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No, menstrual cramps are a different type of pain that cannot truly be simulated in males.
What is the role of the myometrium in the uterus?
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The myometrium is made of smooth muscle under involuntary control and is the largest smooth muscle mass in the human body.
What is the endometrium and its role during menstruation?
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The endometrium is a glandular and highly vascular tissue that sloughs off during menstruation, leading to menstrual bleeding.
What causes the sloughing off of the endometrium?
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The sloughing off is triggered by prostaglandins which cause vasoconstriction of blood vessels to the uterus, leading to a diminished blood supply to endometrial cells.
What are the roles of estrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle?
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Estrogen builds up before ovulation and influences sex drive, while progesterone stimulates endometrial growth to prepare for a fertilized egg.
What triggers the release of prostaglandins?
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The sharp decline in estrogen and progesterone levels triggers the release of prostaglandins.
How does ibuprofen help relieve menstrual cramps?
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Ibuprofen inhibits prostaglandins, which can help reduce menstrual cramping.
What is somatic pain and how is it different from visceral pain?
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Somatic pain occurs in structures closer to the body's surface and is more pinpoint, while visceral pain is more diffuse and related to internal organs.
Why can't the pain from menstrual cramps be simulated with TENS units?
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TENS units cause somatic pain in skeletal muscles, which is different from the visceral pain of menstrual cramps.
What are some common areas where menstrual cramp pain can refer to?
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Menstrual cramp pain can refer to the back, hips, and thighs.
Can males truly empathize with menstrual cramp pain?
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No, males can only sympathize because they do not experience the same visceral pain pathways.
What is the average duration of a female reproductive cycle?
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The female reproductive cycle averages about 24 to 35 days, but is often taught as once every 28 days.
What occurs during day 1 of the menstrual cycle?
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Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is the first day of menstrual bleeding and when menstrual cramps occur.
What happens during ovulation in the menstrual cycle?
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Ovulation occurs around day 14 when the egg is released, which is when pregnancy can potentially occur.
How does increased estrogen influence female behavior around ovulation?
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Increased estrogen may enhance libido, potentially helping females overlook a mate's inadequacies around ovulation.
What percentage of the world's population experiences menstrual cramps?
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Pretty much half of the world's population, females, experience menstrual cramps.