Primary dysmenorrhoea
What causes the pain of primary dysmenorrhoea? The cause is not clear. The uterus is normal and there is no disease of the uterus. What is thought to happen is that normal body chemicals called prostaglandins build up in the lining of the uterus. Prostaglandins help the uterus to squeeze (contract) and shed the lining of the uterus during a period. In women with period pain there seems to be a build up of too much prostaglandins, or the uterus may be extra sensitive to the prostaglandins. This may cause the uterus to contract too hard, which reduces the blood supply to the uterus. This can lead to pain.
What are the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea?
The main symptom is crampy pain in your lower abdomen. Often, the
first few periods that you have are painless. Period pains may only
develop 6-12 months after you have started your periods. The pain:
- May spread to your lower back, or to the top of your legs.
- Usually starts as the bleeding starts, but it may start up to a day before.
- Usually lasts 12-24 hours, but lasts 2-3 days in some cases.
- Can vary with each period. Some periods are worse than others.
- Tends to become less severe as you get older or after having a baby.
In some women, other symptoms occur during a period in addition
to pain. For example: headaches, tiredness, faintness, breast
tenderness, feeling sick, bloating, diarrhoea and feeling emotional or
tearful.
Note: the following are not symptoms of primary
dysmenorrhoea: fever, vaginal discharge, sudden severe abdominal
(tummy) pain, pain when you have sex, vaginal bleeding between periods,
vaginal bleeding after having sex. You should see your doctor if any of
these symptoms develop.
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kathleen, about 1 year
if you have polycyctic ovaries does that make u have bad period pains as i started my periods when i was 11 now im 31 and they r still really bad and when i was 20 i was told i had polycyctic ovaries is that why they are so sore. ty kathleen
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