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Dysmenorrhea (dys·men·or·rhea) is a painful menstrual condition that usually includes severe cramps. This condition can be caused by severe contractions of the uterus during menstruation or by an underlying condition.
Cramping during your period can be caused by severe contractions of the uterus during menstruation or by an underlying condition. Because painful periods can resemble other conditions, it is important to be seen by a doctor.
There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common form of dysmenorrhea and involves crampy lower abdominal pain that occurs 24-48 hours before the onset of menstrual bleeding and continues for about 3-4 days.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is the other form of dysmenorrhea that is caused by another medical or gynecologic problems.
If your daughter has painful periods, her doctor will first take a medical history and conduct a physical exam. A pelvic exam will not be required. The doctor may ask your daughter to keep a record of her pain – when and where it occurs, how long it lasts, and how it’s relieved.
Additional tests may include:
Painful periods may be caused by:
A condition in which uterine tissue grows elsewhere in the body
An infection of the reproductive organs.
Adenomyosis or polyps – non-cancerous growths in the uterus – may cause painful periods, heavy bleeding, or bleeding between periods. This category is much more common in adult women and rarely seen in adolescence.
Treatment for dysmenorrhea depends on your daughter’s age and overall health.
For painful periods, treatment can include:
In the rare instance that the pain is caused by an abnormally shaped uterus, surgical treatment may be recommended.