FreeMD® Painful Menstrual Periods Underlying Cause

Painful Menstrual Periods

Underlying Cause

Painful Menstrual Periods Underlying Cause

The cause for painful menstrual periods is not clear. It may be due to an elevated production of prostaglandin hormones, which cause the uterus to contract. The contractions cause pelvic pain and cramps.

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Related Topics:

Abdominal pain
Chronic pelvic pain
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Heavy menstrual periods
Irregular menstrual periods
Premenstrual syndrome
Secondary dysmenorrhea
Women's health
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Painful menstrual periods

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Last Updated: Jul 1, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Painful Menstrual Periods References:

Coco AS. Primary dysmenorrhea. Am Fam Physician. 1999 Aug;60(2):489-96.
Davis AR, Westhoff CL. Primary dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls and treatment with oral contraceptives. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2001 Feb;14(1):3-8.
Mehlisch DR. Double-blind crossover comparison of ketoprofen, naproxen, and placebo in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Clin Ther. 1990 Sep-Oct;12(5):398-409.