dysmenorrhea
Sign in to saveDysmenorrhea, also known as period pain, painful periods or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. Its usual onset occurs around the time that menstruation begins. Symptoms typically last less than three days. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include back pain, diarrhea or nausea.
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Dysmenorrhea, commonly called period pain or menstrual cramps, is pain that occurs during menstruation, typically starting when bleeding begins and lasting less than three days. The pain usually affects the pelvis or lower abdomen, though it can be accompanied by back pain, diarrhea, or nausea.
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Dysmenorrhea
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Dysmenorrhoea, period pain, painful periods, menstrual cramps
- Medical condition (new).image
- MenstrualCycle gen.svg
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Menstrual cycle and changes in hormone production
- Medical condition (new).field
- Gynecology
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Pain during first few days of menstruation, diarrhea, nausea
- Medical condition (new).onset
- Within a year of the first menstrual period
- Medical condition (new).duration
- Less than 5 days (primary dysmenorrhea)
- Medical condition (new).causes
- No underlying problem, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
- Pelvic exam, ultrasound
- Medical condition (new).differential
Article
16 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Causes
- Risk factors
- Mechanism
- Diagnosis
- Further work-up
- Management
- NSAIDs
- Hormonal birth control
- Other
- Alternative medicine
- TENS
- Surgery
- Epidemiology
- References
- External links
Dysmenorrhea, also known as period pain, painful periods or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. Its usual onset occurs around the time that menstruation begins. Symptoms typically last less than three days. The pain is usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen. Other symptoms may include back pain, diarrhea or nausea.
Dysmenorrhea can occur without an underlying problem. Underlying issues that can cause dysmenorrhea include uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and most commonly, endometriosis. 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. A pelvic exam and ultrasound in individuals who are sexually active may be useful for diagnosis. Conditions that should be ruled out include ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, interstitial cystitis and chronic pelvic pain.