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Dysmenorrhea

Last updated: May 2, 2025

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Dysmenorrhea is lower abdominal and pelvic pain that occurs shortly before and/or during menstruation. Primary dysmenorrhea is dysmenorrhea in the absence of pelvic pathology and is caused by an increase in prostaglandin levels. It typically begins 6–12 months after menarche and is common in adolescents and young adults. Symptoms may include low back pain, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and headaches. Primary dysmenorrhea is clinically diagnosed after excluding features that suggest secondary dysmenorrhea and mimics of dysmenorrhea. Treatment for primary dysmenorrhea includes NSAIDs for pain relief, hormonal contraceptives, and lifestyle modifications. Secondary dysmenorrhea results from an underlying condition such as endometriosis (most commonly), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or uterine fibroids. The diagnostic workup and management of secondary dysmenorrhea are based on the suspected condition.

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Primary dysmenorrheatoggle arrow icon

Primary dysmenorrhea is lower abdominal and pelvic pain that occurs shortly before and/or during menstruation and is not caused by pelvic pathology.

Etiology [1][2]

Increased production of endometrial prostaglandins (PGF2α) causes:

Clinical features [1][3]

Pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea is typically midline and may radiate to the back or thighs. Consider secondary dysmenorrhea in patients with unilateral pain. [2]

Diagnosis [1][2][3]

Pelvic examination and imaging are not required in adolescents with classic symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. [1]

Treatment [1]

There is insufficient evidence to support a specific treatment algorithm for primary dysmenorrhea. Use initial therapies as monotherapy or combined therapy based on shared decision-making.

Opioids are not recommended for the management of primary dysmenorrhea. [1][3]

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Secondary dysmenorrheatoggle arrow icon

Secondary dysmenorrhea is lower abdominal and pelvic pain that occurs shortly before and/or during menstruation and is caused by an underlying pelvic condition.

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Etiologytoggle arrow icon

Endometriosis is the most common underlying cause of secondary dysmenorrhea. [3]

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Clinical evaluationtoggle arrow icon

Focused history [1][3]

Obtain a complete medical, family, and gynecologic and obstetric history, including:

Focused examination [1]

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Diagnosticstoggle arrow icon

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Common causestoggle arrow icon

Common causes of secondary dysmenorrhea [1][3]
Characteristic clinical features Diagnostic findings Management
Endometriosis [10][11]
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) [16][17]
Adenomyosis [18][19]
  • Imaging (TVUS, MRI): asymmetric myometrial thickening
  • Biopsy (selected patients): histopathological confirmation [20]
Uterine leiomyoma [21][22]
Intrauterine adhesions [25][26]
Obstructive anomalies of the female genital tract [28]
  • Refer to gynecology for surgical management (e.g., hymenectomy, vaginal septum resection).

Endometrial polyps [29][30][31]

Ovarian cysts or masses [1][33]

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Managementtoggle arrow icon

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Mimicstoggle arrow icon

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