Do I Have Dysmenorrhea?

Do you have throbbing or cramping pain in your lower abdomen that can be intense?

Do you have pain that radiates to your lower back and thigh?

Do you have pain that starts 1 to 3 days before your period and subsides in 2 to 3 days?

Do you have pain that starts much earlier than menstrual bleeding and lasts as long as menstruation lasts?

Do you have dull, continuous ache?

Do you have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea?

Do you have weakness and fatigue?

Do you have headaches?

Do you feel dizzy or faint?

Do you have menstrual cramps that disrupt your daily activities every month?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a medical term for painful menstrual periods, with severe pain and cramps. Dysmenorrhea can occur from the very beginning when a woman gets her first period or it can occur later in life. Dysmenorrhea is caused by unusually strong uterine contractions. There are many women who have painful periods. The intensity of the pain can vary. Some women have menstrual periods accompanied by mild discomfort, while others have extremely severe menstrual pain that interferes with their daily activities for a few days each month (going to school or work).

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a medical term that refers to painful menstrual periods. There are two forms of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by menstrual cramps that recur every month and are not associated with any other disease. The pain begins a day or two before or along with menstrual bleeding, and lasts for about 12 to 72 hours. Secondary dysmenorrhea refers to bleeding that is a consequence of a disorder of a woman's reproductive organs. The pain starts early in the menstrual cycle and lasts longer than the usual menstrual cramps.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a medical term that describes pain associated with menstruation (painful menstrual periods). Menstrual cramps occur as a result of uterine contractions. A chemical called prostaglandin causes stronger uterine contractions during the menstrual cycle. The uterus presses on the nearby blood vessels due to strong contractions, briefly interrupting the supply of oxygen to the uterine tissue, which results in pain. A diagnosis is based on your medical history, a physical and pelvic examination, and additional tests. Depending on the type of dysmenorrhea, it can be treated with medications or surgery.