Dysmenorrhea | Symptoms & Causes

What are the symptoms of dysmenorrhea?

Every young woman experiences dysmenorrhea differently. Some common symptoms include:

• dull, throbbing or cramping pain in her lower abdomen
• pain that radiates to her lower back and thighs
• nausea and vomiting
• loose stools
• sweating
• dizziness

What causes dysmenorrhea?

When menstruation happens, your uterus contracts to oust its lining. Hormone-like substances, particularly prostaglandin and arachidonic acid, trigger these contractions. Young women with primary amenorrhea experience abnormal uterine contraction as a result of an imbalance of those chemicals.

Secondary amenorrhea is caused by other conditions. Common conditions include:

• endometriosis
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• uterine fibroids
• abnormal pregnancy (i.e., miscarriage, ectopic)
• infection, tumors, or other growths in the pelvic cavity
• cervical stenosis