gynecology and obstetrics
Dysmenorrhea
Introduction
Dysmenorrhea is uterine pain around the time of menses. Pain may occur with menses or precede menses by 1 to 3 days. Pain tends to peak 24 hours after onset of menses and subside after 2 to 3 days. It is often crampy or a dull constant ache but may be sharp or throbbing; it may radiate to the back or legs. Headache, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, lower back pain, and urinary frequency are common; vomiting occurs occasionally. Sometimes dysmenorrhea is accompanied by symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or heavy menstrual bleeding and passage of blood clots. In about 5 to 15% of women with primary dysmenorrhea, cramps are severe enough to interfere with daily activities and may result in absence from school or work. Pain sensitivity with dysmenorrhea may increase susceptibility to other chronic pain conditions in later life. 