Condition guide
Dysmenorrhea
Severely painful periods. Pain that disrupts your life is not something you have to live with.
Up to 90%
Of menstruating women experience it
20%
Severe enough to miss work or school
What it is
Dysmenorrhea is period pain. Primary dysmenorrhea is cramping caused by prostaglandins; secondary is pain caused by another condition such as endometriosis, adenomyosis or fibroids.
Infographic
Cramping radiates
Uterine contractions can radiate to back and thighs.
Common symptoms
- Cramping lower abdominal pain
- Lower back and thigh pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache, fatigue, diarrhoea
Causes & risk factors
- Prostaglandin release (primary)
- Endometriosis or adenomyosis
- Fibroids
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
Diagnosis
- Symptom history and cycle tracking
- Pelvic examination
- Ultrasound if secondary cause suspected
Treatment & management
NSAIDs
Ibuprofen or mefenamic acid taken early in the cycle.
Heat and lifestyle
Heat pads, exercise and stress management help.
Hormonal contraception
Reduces or removes pain by suppressing ovulation.
Treat the cause
If secondary, treating endometriosis or fibroids relieves pain.
When to seek urgent help
Pain unrelieved by usual measures, fever, or fainting should prompt urgent review.
Frequently asked
Are painful periods normal?
Mild cramps can be normal. Pain that stops you working or studying is not — seek help.
You are not alone
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