essential dysmenorrhea

essential dysmenorrhea

n.

See primary dysmenorrhea.

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dysmenorrhea [dis″men-ŏ-re´ah]

painful menstruation with cramps in the lower abdomen. adj., adj dysmenorrhe´al.Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation with no detectable organic disease. Secondary dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation due to some pelvic pathology, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or prolapse of the uterus. Relief can often be obtained by simple hygienic measures such as adequate rest, avoidance of constipation, moderate exercise, applications of moderate heat to the abdomen, and removal of restricting clothing. See also premenstrual syndrome.

Treatment. Severe primary dysmenorrhea requires more aggressive therapy. Drugs that may be helpful include ibuprofen (Motrin and Rufen), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), and naproxen sodium (Anaprox). Use of these drugs is not recommended for nursing mothers or in pregnancy. They also often have side effects related to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Taking the drug with meals or a glass of milk can mitigate the irritation.

If the patient is not trying to conceive, preventive therapy, rather than symptomatic relief with analgesics, is the preferred mode of treatment. Because prostaglandins are known to produce increased uterine contractions and the cramping typical of dysmenorrhea, inhibition of ovulation can decrease endometrial production of prostaglandins and the concurrent increase in uterine activity. Therefore, oral contraceptives often prove to be effective. Similarly, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors can provide relief in about 90 per cent of the cases if administration of medication is supplemented with patient education and reassurance. Therapy with these drugs can begin with the onset of bleeding, thus avoiding inadvertent intake of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors in early pregnancy.

congestive dysmenorrhea that accompanied by great congestion of the uterus.

essential dysmenorrhea painful menstruation for which there is no demonstrable cause.

inflammatory dysmenorrhea that due to inflammation.

obstructive dysmenorrhea that due to mechanical obstruction to the discharge of menstrual fluid.