Dysmenorrhea in the adolescent

Definition

Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation (periods or menses).

Alternative Names

Periods - painful (adolescent); Adolescent dysmenorrhea; Menstrual pain - adolescent; Painful menstrual periods - adolescent

Causes

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea) is a common complaint among young females, but the majority of cases are not due to disease, and the physical exam is normal. Dysmenorrhea has been reported to be significantly increased among mothers and sisters of women with the condition.

Primary dysmenorrhea is painful periods without an underlying cause. It usually occurs in adolescents usually begins 2 to 3 years after a female starts menstruating. Pain may be mild to severe, and may be associated with stomach problems. Primary dysmenorrhea occurs when a naturally-occurring substance in the body called prostaglandin cause the uterus to contract.

Secondary dysmenorrhea means painful periods due to an underlying illness, such as endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. Secondary dysmenorrhea most commonly begins in women in their 20s. An increase in sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents has lead to a greater number of cases of secondary dysmenorrhea.

References

Stenchever A. Comprehensive Gynecology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:1065-1070.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:325.