women s health issues
Menstrual Cramps
Key Points
Usually, menstrual cramps have no identifiable cause (called primary dysmenorrhea). Pain is often crampy or a dull, constant ache but may be or sharp or throbbing and usually starts a few days before a menstrual period, and subsides after 2 or 3 days. For most women, evaluation includes a pregnancy test, a doctor's examination, and ultrasonography (to check for abnormal structures or growths in the pelvis). For primary dysmenorrhea, general measures, such as adequate sleep, regular exercise, and heat may help relieve symptoms. NSAIDs or an NSAID plus birth control pills that contain a progestin and estrogen may help relieve the pain. 