Primary dysmenorrhea
Primary dysmenorrhea is cyclic, crampy lower abdominal pain with menses driven by excess endometrial prostaglandin F2-alpha, occurring in the absence of any pelvic pathology. It is a diagnosis of exclusion made on history and a normal pelvic exam, and it responds to scheduled NSAIDs, combined hormonal contraception, or both.
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What this article covers
- Overview
Cyclic pain without organic disease: primary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain associated with ovulatory cycles in the absence of any identifiable pelvic pathology, distinguishing it from secondary…
- Epidemiology
Most common gynecologic symptom in young women: highest prevalence is in adolescents and women in their 20s, tracking the years just after menarche.
- Risk factors
Younger reproductive age: adolescents and women in their teens and 20s, coinciding with onset of ovulatory cycling.
- Pathophysiology
Ovulation triggers the process: progesterone withdrawal at the end of an ovulatory luteal phase initiates endometrial prostaglandin synthesis; anovulatory cycles largely spare patients because the secretory-phase surge does not occur.
- Clinical features
Cyclic, crampy midline pelvic pain is the defining feature: low, midline, spasmodic pain often radiating to the back or medial thighs, beginning with or just before flow and lasting 1 to 3 days; this…
- Differential diagnosis
Endometriosis (most important mimic): ectopic endometrial glands and stroma; suggested by pain starting years after menarche, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, or infertility; distinguished by uterosacral…
- Diagnosis
A clinical diagnosis of exclusion: established when the history shows cyclic crampy pain beginning with or just before menses in an ovulatory patient and the pelvic exam is normal; no formal scoring…
- Management
First, start a scheduled NSAID: ibuprofen 600-800 mg PO three times daily with food, begun 1 to 2 days before the expected onset of menses and continued through the first 1 to 2 days of flow…
- Complications
Functional impairment: recurrent, predictable absence from school or work during menses, the most common real-world complication of inadequately treated pain.
- Prognosis
Excellent with treatment: most patients achieve good symptom control with scheduled NSAIDs, hormonal contraception, or the combination, allowing normal activity during menses.
- Prevention
Scheduled, anticipatory NSAID dosing: starting ibuprofen 600-800 mg PO three times daily (or naproxen 500 mg PO twice daily) 1 to 2 days before the expected onset of menses, rather than waiting for…
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