There are two types:
Primary dysmenorrhoea
- Starts in teenage girls with no underlying cause, the pain usually starts just before their period and lasts up to three days improving in the course of the period.
- It is not associated with any identifiable underlying pelvic conditions.
- It is thought to be caused by the release of uterine prostaglandins (hormones that are essential for our well being, healing process and muscle contraction) during menstruation.
- Progesterone levels (sexual hormones) decrease before menstruation, causing endometrial cells to release prostaglandins that then stimulate uterine myometrial contraction. This results in decreased blood flow, uterine hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and subsequent pain.
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can also result from the effects of prostaglandins on smooth muscles and are frequently experienced with primary dysmenorrhoea.
Barcikowska Z, Rajkowska-Labon E, Grzybowska ME, et al.
Inflammatory Markers in Dysmenorrhea and Therapeutic Options.
Risk factors for primary dysmenorrhoea include:
- Experience a Period at an early age
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Nulliparity (i.e. never given birth);
- Family history of dysmenorrhoea
- Stress
- Conflicting evidence on the association between primary dysmenorrhoea and modifiable risk factors — such as cigarette smoking, diet, obesity, depression and a history of sexual abuse.
The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, July 2021, Vol 307, No7951;307(7951)::DOI:10.1211/
PJ.2021.1.90233
Secondary dysmenorrhoea
- The period pain still persists after a period and normally appears after several years of painless periods, normally there is an underlying cause.
