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Most women experience pain during the menstrual flow. When accompanied by frequent, intense and acute pain, the syndrome is referred to as dysmenorrhea. This is a common disorder affecting up to 50% of women. In some, pain can be so intense that it interferes with daily activities.
Menstrual pain can range from moderate to severe. It is localized in the lower abdomen and lower back. Often the pain is crampy or colicky. Generally, pain is present about 2 days each month.
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There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
- Primary dysmenorrhea. Pain occurs during ovulation and is more common at that time. It is a typical part of puberty and affects 90% of adolescent girls, but it is also frequent among young adult women under 30 years of age. Generally, it diminishes or disappears in pregnancy or with age (menopause).
- Secondary dysmenorrhea. This form is less common and accounts for about 25% of cases. Pain is caused not only by menstruation but also by other conditions. It can be due to the presence of other more severe disorders of the female reproductive system such as endometriosis, fibromas, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), etc. In secondary dysmenorrhea, pain persists longer. It can even start before the menstrual flow and continue up to several days after the end of the cycle. Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs more often in women over 25 years.
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