Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea)

What is Dysmenorrhea?

When menstrual periods are painful, the condition is called dysmenorrhea. It is of two types – primary and secondary.

Dysmenorrhea is the most common menstrual complaint. More than half of women who menstruate experience pain for 1–2 days every month.

Primary Dysmenorrhea:
- Usually begins early in life (since menarche).
- Not linked to any underlying disease.
- Pain starts with the onset of periods and decreases with time, lasting for a few days.
Secondary Dysmenorrhea:
- Appears later in life.
- Associated with underlying medical conditions.
- Pain starts before menstruation, worsens over time, and may persist even after periods end.

Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress-relief techniques.
Medications:
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Tranexamic Acid
- Oral Contraceptive Pills
- GnRH Analogues
Surgical Management (if medical treatment fails):
- Fibroid – Laparoscopic Myomectomy
- Endometriosis – Excision of Lesions
- Polyp – Hysteroscopic Polypectomy
- Adenomyosis – Wedge Resection
- Hysterectomy – Last resort when pain is severe and other treatments fail