Dysmenorrhoea

Painful MENSTRUATION.

There are two types:

Primary Dysmenorrhoea

Pain due to cramps or spasm of an otherwise normal uterus. The spasm is caused by substances (prostaglandins) released when the mucous membrane that lines the uterus breaks down at the end of the menstrual cycle. Primary dysmenorrhoea most often affects young women who have not had children, and rarely persists after the first pregnancy. It is not known why dysmenorrhoea affects some women and not others. Pain begins with the onset of bleeding and rarely lasts more than a day or so. It may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, fainting. Mild cramps may be relieved by rest and simple analgesics such as aspirin or paracetamol. More severe dysmenorrhoea, such as that which causes absences from school or work, usually responds well to anti-spasmodic or anti-prostaglandin medication and is usually eliminated by taking the contraceptive pill (one of the good side-effects of the pill). Any woman who suffers from severe dysmenorrhoea should have a thorough gynecological check to make sure that there is no cause for the pain other than the uterine spasm.

Secondary Dysmenorrhoea

Painful menstruation in a woman who has previously had painless periods. Pain tends to be constant and severe, and often begins before and lasts throughout bleeding. Common causes include PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), fibroids of the uterus and endometriosis. Secondary dysmenorrhoea should always be investigated so that the cause can be treated