| Dysmenorrhea | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Dysmenorrhoea, period pain, painful periods, menstrual cramps |
 | |
| Menstrual cycle and changes in hormone production | |
| Specialty | Gynecology |
| Symptoms | Pain during first few days of menstruation, diarrhea, nausea[1][2] |
| Usual onset | Within a year of the first menstrual period[1] |
| Duration | Less than 5 days (primary dysmenorrhea)[1] |
| Causes | No underlying problem, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis[3] |
| Diagnostic method | Pelvic exam, ultrasound[1] |
| Differential diagnosis | Ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, interstitial cystitis, chronic pelvic pain[1] |
| Treatment | Heating pad, medication[3] |
| Medication | NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, hormonal birth control, IUD with progestogen[1][3] |
| Prognosis | Often improves with age[2] |
| Frequency | 50–90% female adolescents and women of reproductive age[4] |
Dysmenorrhea, also known as period pain, painful periods or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation.[4][5][2] Its usual onset occurs around the time that menstruation begins.[1] Symptoms typically last less than three days.[1] The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen.[1] Other symptoms may include back pain, diarrhea or nausea.[1]
Dysmenorrhea can occur without an underlying problem.[3][6] Underlying issues that can cause dysmenorrhea include uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and most commonly, endometriosis.[3] It is more common among those with heavy periods, irregular periods, those whose periods started before twelve years of age and those who have a low body weight.[1] A pelvic exam and ultrasound in individuals who are sexually active may be useful for diagnosis.[1] Conditions that should be ruled out include ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, interstitial cystitis and chronic pelvic pain.[1]
Dysmenorrhea occurs less often in those who exercise regularly and those who have children early in life.[1] Treatment may include the use of a heating pad.[3] Medications that may help include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, hormonal birth control and the IUD with progestogen.[1][3] Taking vitamin B1 or magnesium may help.[2] Evidence for yoga, acupuncture and massage is insufficient.[1] Surgery may be useful if certain underlying problems are present.[2]
Estimates of the percentage of female adolescents and women of reproductive age affected are between 50% and 90%.[4][6] It is the most common menstrual disorder.[2] Typically, it starts within a year of the first menstrual period.[1] When there is no underlying cause, often the pain improves with age or following having a child.[2]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Osayande AS, Mehulic S (March 2014). "Diagnosis and initial management of dysmenorrhea". American Family Physician. 89 (5): 341–346. PMID 24695505.
- ^ a b c d e f g American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Jan 2015). "FAQ046 Dynsmenorrhea: Painful Periods" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Menstruation and the menstrual cycle fact sheet". Office of Women's Health. December 23, 2014. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ a b c McKenna KA, Fogleman CD (August 2021). "Dysmenorrhea". Am Fam Physician. 104 (2): 164–170. PMID 34383437.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
medlinewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Dysmenorrhea and Endometriosis in the Adolescent". ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.