Secondary dysmenorrhoea
Again, the main symptom is crampy lower abdominal
pain during your periods. With secondary dysmenorrhoea, your periods
tend to become more painful after several years of 'normal' periods
(that is, periods with normal, mild, period pains).
The following may indicate secondary dysmenorrhoea:
- If
you have a change in your usual pattern of pain. For example, if your
periods become more painful than they used to be, or the pain lasts
longer than it used to. In some women with secondary dysmenorrhoea the
pain starts several days before the period begins, and lasts all the
way through the period. (This is uncommon with primary dysmenorrhoea.) - If you have other symptoms. For example:
- Irregular periods
- Bleeding in between periods
- Pains between periods
- The bleeding becomes heavier than previously
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex
You should see your doctor if you develop any of these problems.
How is secondary dysmenorrhoea diagnosed?
Your
doctor will usually examine you if they suspect that you have secondary
dysmenorrhoea. This may involve an examination of your abdomen (tummy)
as well as an internal examination to check your uterus (womb) and
pelvis. The idea is to look for possible causes of your painful
periods, such as fibroids in your uterus. Your doctor may also suggest
that they take some swabs during the examination to look for any signs
of infection.
If your doctor feels that you have secondary
dysmenorrhoea, they may suggest that they refer you to a specialist
(usually a gynaecologist) for further investigations. The
investigations that are carried out depend on the likely underlying
problem. They may include an ultrasound scan of your uterus (womb) and
pelvis, a hysteroscopy (a telescope examination of the inside of your
womb) or a laparoscopy (a telescope examination of the internal organs
of your pelvis). See separate leaflet called 'Laparoscopy and Laparoscopic Surgery' for more detail.
What are the treatment options for secondary dysmenorrhoea?
The treatment of secondary dysmenorrhoea depends on the underlying cause. See separate leaflets called 'Endometriosis', 'Fibroids' and 'Pelvic Inflammatory Disease',
which describe some of the problems that can cause secondary
dysmenorrhoea in more detail. These leaflets also discuss treatment.
If
you have an IUD and have painful periods, the treatments for primary
dysmenorrhoea (described above) often help. However, some women prefer
to have their IUD removed if symptoms do not improve.© EMIS 2009 Reviewed: 21 Jul 2009
Average rating:
beverley gatt, about 1 year
There was a woman with this same problem that took her 10 years to sort out ,can you please help me as my sisiter had lost the letter that she had sent to your magazine. I had my utras pinned back up in its place as it had come down, since then I have had a bad fishy smell all the time, it is worse 1 week before and a week after my period, my wee has got a darker yellow than normal, my doctor has found out that I have become incontinant as well, I am only 50 yrs old and am getting paranoid about the smell, I am always washing after going to the bathroom and bathing twice a day. In the article the woman had said something about what you eat, I`m taking two cramberry tabs each day and drink some water as well but this problem is getting me so depressed could you please help me or even send me the article.
Report this comment