What
is dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) is the medical term for pain associated with
menstruation. Simply put menstrual pain. It is the most common menstrual
disorder; and the pain usually occurs in the lower abdomen.
For some women, the discomfort is mild and merely annoying and for others,
severe enough to interfere with everyday activities for a few days every month.
Types of dysmenorrhea
There are two types of dysmenorrhea:
"primary"
and "secondary".
Primary dysmenorrhea
This is common menstrual cramps that are
recurrent and are not due to other diseases. Pain usually begins 1 or 2 days
before, or when menstrual bleeding starts, and is felt usually in the lower
abdomen. Pain typically last 12 to 72 hours, and may be accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, fatigue, and even diarrhea. Common menstrual cramps usually become
less painful with age and may stop entirely after childbirth.