Dysmenorrhea (or dysmenorrhoea) is a medical condition characterized by severe uterine pain during menstruation. While many individuals experience minor pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when the pain is so severe as to limit normal activities, or require medication.
Dysmenorrhea can feature different kinds of pain, including sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain. Dysmenorrhea may precede menstruation by several days or may accompany it, and it usually subsides as menstruation tapers off. Dysmenorrhea may coexist with excessively heavy blood loss, known as menorrhagia.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when symptoms are attributable to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality either within or outside the uterus. Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when none of these are detected.
Primary dysmenorrhoea-
The main symptom of dysmenorrhea is pain centering in the lower abdomen, which may radiate to the thighs and lower back. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. Symptoms of dysmenorrhea usually begin a few hours before the start of menstruation, and may continue for a few days.
In one research study using MRI, visible features of the uterus were compared in dysmenorrheic and eumenorrheic (normal) participants. The study concluded that in dysmenorrheic patients, visible features on cycle days 1-3 correlated with the degree of pain, and differed significantly from the control group.
Several nutritional supplements have been indicated as effective in treating dysmenorrhea, including omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, and thiamine (vitamin B1).
Research indicates that one mechanism underlying dysmenorrhea is a disturbed balance between antiinflammatory, vasodilator eicosanoids derived from omega-3 fatty acids, and proinflammatory, vasoconstrictor eicosanoids derived from omega-6 fatty acids. Several studies have indicated that intake of omega-3 fatty acids can reverse the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, by decreasing the amount of omega-6 FA in cell membranes. The richest dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids is found in flax oil.
Oral intake of magnesium has also been indicated in providing relief: two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies demonstrated a positive therapeutic effect of magnesium on dysmenorrhea. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial demonstrated that oral intake of vitamin E relieves the pain of primary dysmenorrhea and reduces blood loss. A review of case histories indicated that zinc, in 1 to 3 30-milligram doses given daily for one to four days prior to onset of menses, prevents essentially all to all warning of menses and all menstrual cramping. Intake of thiamine (vitamin B1) was demonstrated to provide "curative" relief in 87% of females experiencing dysmenorrhea, in a controlled study.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea-
The symptoms of secondary dysmenorrhea vary with the underlying cause, but are similar to those of primary dysmenorrhea. While the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea are generally limited to the time around menses, in secondary dysmenorrhea, they may extend further through the menstrual cycle.
The most effective treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea is the identification and treatment of the underlying cause of the pain. The first line of treatment is medical; if possible, the underlying medical disorder or anatomic abnormality is corrected. Dilation of a narrow cervical os may give 3 to 6 months of relief, and allows diagnostic curettage if needed. Myomectomy, polypectomy, or dilation and curettage may be needed. In patients with adenomyosis, the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena) was observed to provide relief.
Dysmenorrhea can feature different kinds of pain, including sharp, throbbing, dull, nauseating, burning, or shooting pain. Dysmenorrhea may precede menstruation by several days or may accompany it, and it usually subsides as menstruation tapers off. Dysmenorrhea may coexist with excessively heavy blood loss, known as menorrhagia.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when symptoms are attributable to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality either within or outside the uterus. Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when none of these are detected.
Primary dysmenorrhoea-
The main symptom of dysmenorrhea is pain centering in the lower abdomen, which may radiate to the thighs and lower back. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and fatigue. Symptoms of dysmenorrhea usually begin a few hours before the start of menstruation, and may continue for a few days.
In one research study using MRI, visible features of the uterus were compared in dysmenorrheic and eumenorrheic (normal) participants. The study concluded that in dysmenorrheic patients, visible features on cycle days 1-3 correlated with the degree of pain, and differed significantly from the control group.
Several nutritional supplements have been indicated as effective in treating dysmenorrhea, including omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin E, zinc, and thiamine (vitamin B1).
Research indicates that one mechanism underlying dysmenorrhea is a disturbed balance between antiinflammatory, vasodilator eicosanoids derived from omega-3 fatty acids, and proinflammatory, vasoconstrictor eicosanoids derived from omega-6 fatty acids. Several studies have indicated that intake of omega-3 fatty acids can reverse the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, by decreasing the amount of omega-6 FA in cell membranes. The richest dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids is found in flax oil.
Oral intake of magnesium has also been indicated in providing relief: two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies demonstrated a positive therapeutic effect of magnesium on dysmenorrhea. A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial demonstrated that oral intake of vitamin E relieves the pain of primary dysmenorrhea and reduces blood loss. A review of case histories indicated that zinc, in 1 to 3 30-milligram doses given daily for one to four days prior to onset of menses, prevents essentially all to all warning of menses and all menstrual cramping. Intake of thiamine (vitamin B1) was demonstrated to provide "curative" relief in 87% of females experiencing dysmenorrhea, in a controlled study.
Secondary dysmenorrhoea-
The symptoms of secondary dysmenorrhea vary with the underlying cause, but are similar to those of primary dysmenorrhea. While the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea are generally limited to the time around menses, in secondary dysmenorrhea, they may extend further through the menstrual cycle.
The most effective treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea is the identification and treatment of the underlying cause of the pain. The first line of treatment is medical; if possible, the underlying medical disorder or anatomic abnormality is corrected. Dilation of a narrow cervical os may give 3 to 6 months of relief, and allows diagnostic curettage if needed. Myomectomy, polypectomy, or dilation and curettage may be needed. In patients with adenomyosis, the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena) was observed to provide relief.
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