Definition:
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cramps, referring to dull and throbbing pain felt in the lower abdomen just before or during menstrual periods.
Diagnosis:
Computerized Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can detect abnormalities inside the pelvis and can diagnose the cause of secondary dysmenorrhea.
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the doctor to view the abdominal cavity.
Hysteroscopy involves insertion of a direct-viewing instrument through the vagina to examine the cervical canal and inside of the uterus.
Treatment:
Treating the underlying cause of secondary dysmenorrhea may include antibiotics to treat infection or surgery to remove uterine fibroids and polyps.
Pain brought about by dysmenorrhea can be relieved by means of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are available over-the-counter such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Low-dose oral contraceptives to prevent ovulation can reduce prostaglandin production to minimize the severity of cramps.
Symptoms and Signs:
Dull or excruciating pain in the lower abdomen that can be extremely severe to enable performing normal daily routines, which may radiate in the lower back and thighs. This is sometimes combined with sweating, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and loose stools.
Causes:
It is not yet clearly established but experts believe that prostaglandins and increased levels of leukotriene, which are involved in inflammation, are contributory factors that cause primary dysmenorrhea.
Secondary dysmenorrhea can be caused by any of the following conditions: pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids and polyps, adenomyosis, and use of intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.
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