Dysmenorrhea is referred to as “painful menstruation”

Most women exhibit some amount of pain during menstruation. However, in this case the pain is so severe that it may limit what a women is able to accomplish on a daily basis.

Her activities may be severely limited.

The description of pain can be as followed:

   -    Severe
   -    Dull
   -    Throbbing
   -    Sharp
   -    Burning
   -    or others

Can begin as early as 1 year following first menstruation.

For some individuals menstruation becomes less severe but the majority have increased pain.

50 – 80% of women are affected at some time in their life

It is described like a pin or cramping in pelvic area that can be felt from back down to the knees

Cramping is associated with nausea, vomiting, headache, irritation, flushing.

Pain is from vasoconstriction of the uterus

Treatment:

-    NSAIDs
-    Omega-3-fatty acids
-    Magnesium
-    Vitamin E
-    Zinc
-    Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
-    Hormonal Contraception
.             Norplant
.             Depo-provera
.     IUD’s