A Simple Guide to Dysmenorrhea

A Simple Guide to Dysmenorrhea
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What is Dysmenorrhea?
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Dysmenorrhea is a symptom, not an illness.
It means painful menstruation.

What are the types of Dysmenorrhea?
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Dysmenorrhea may be classified into:

1.Primary or Spasmodic Dysmenorrhea

2.Secondary Dysmenorrhea due to causes like

Endometriosis or

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

What are the Causes of Dysmenorrhea?
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The cause of primary Dysmenorrhea is still not known.

There are a few theories:
1.during menstruation, contraction of the uterine muscles occurs in spasms trying to push the menstrual flow through a narrow cervical opening

2.Prostagladins output occurs at time of menstruation producing muscles spasms

3.Menstrual clots occludes the uterine opening and requires more contractions of the uterine muscles to push it through

4.Stress may constrict the opening of the uterus and hence greater contraction of the uterine muscles is required to force out the menstrual flow.

What are the Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea?
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Primary Dysmenorrhea:
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1.typically occurs on the first day of menses and becomes less after the 2nd day.

2.lower abdominal cramp radiating down to thighs and back

Secondary Dysmenorrhea:
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1. Starts about 1 week before menses and reach maximum on first day before reducing intensity for rest of menses peroid

2.dull aching pain in lower abdomen with radiation to the back

Symptoms may be associated with
1.vomiting,

2.urinary frequency,

3.headache,

4.painful breasts,

5.abdominal distension,

6.depression and

7.irritabilty.

What is the Treatment for Dysmenorrhea?
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Primary Dysmenorrhea:
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1.simple analgesics like paracetamol

2.Non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs like Ponstan, Synflex

3.Antispasmodics

4.Tranquilliser or antidepressant

5.Muscle relaxant

6.female hormones

Secondary Dysmenorrhea:
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1.Identify and treat the underlying cause(eg. antibiotics for PID)

2.Endometriosis may require a course of female hormones or surgery for control

3.Dilatation of the endocervical canal may help

What is the prognosis of Dysmenorrhea?
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Primary Dysmenorrhea may end with first pregnancy due to widening of uterine opening.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea prognosis depends on the treatment of causes.