Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea)

What is a painful period (dysmenorrhea)?

Dysmenorrhea is the scientific term used to describe painful periods.

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea. The former refers to period pain without an underlying medical condition. Secondary dysmenorrhea, on the other hand, is caused by a disease or medical condition. Secondary dysmenorrhea is one of the primary symptoms of endometriosis and can be accompanied by painful ovulation. Women often describe the pain they experience during their periods as “killer cramps.”

How can dysmenorrhea affect a patient’s quality of life?

The symptoms of endometriosis can impact just about every aspect of a patient’s life. In a 2017 study on endometriosis patients’ quality of life, researchers found that painful periods, irregular periods, and general abdominal pain significantly correlated with negative results on an endometriosis health profile questionnaire. It included five categories ranging from pain, control and powerlessness, emotional well-being, social support, and self-image.

Get a Second Opinion

Our endometriosis specialists are dedicated to providing patients with expert care. Whether you have been diagnosed or are looking to find a doctor, they are ready to help.

Our office is located on 872 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10065.
You may call us at (212) 988-1444 or have your case reviewed by clicking here.

Causes of dysmenorrhea

The process of primary dysmenorrhea

Period pain is caused by an excess or imbalance in prostaglandin secretion from the lining of the uterus during periods. Prostaglandins are hormones that control inflammation, blood flow, and the formation of blood clots.

Why and how does endometriosis cause dysmenorrhea?

In women with endometriosis, the levels of prostaglandins are even higher in menstrual blood than in women without the disease. This could explain why women with endometriosis experience periods of extreme pain. Research has also shown that the frequency, magnitude, and basal pressure tone of uterine contractions are higher in women with endometriosis compared to those without the disease. So, the severe period pain that women with endometriosis experience could also be the result of abnormal contractions of the uterus.

Symptoms of dysmenorrhea

Symptoms of dysmenorrhea may include aching pelvic pain, abdominal pressure, and pain in the hips, lower back, and inner thighs.

How do women with endometriosis describe the pain they experience during their periods?

Many women experience pain during their periods, but those with endometriosis describe their menstrual pain to be incapacitating and prohibiting them to perform even the simplest of tasks. Women with the disease also tend to have their period pain worsen over time. Some women with endometriosis describe their period pain as “throbbing, gnawing, and dragging,” or “like their insides are being pulled down”.

Other symptoms that often accompany dysmenorrhea in women with endometriosis

In addition to extreme pain during menstruation, women with endometriosis often experience other symptoms, including:

  • Painful bowel movements
  • Constipation with periods
  • Diarrhea with periods
  • Gas and bloating with periods
  • Shooting leg pains with periods

Diagnosing dysmenorrhea

Are painful periods a sure sign of endometriosis?

Painful periods are not always a sure sign of endometriosis. Also, the absence of painful periods does not guarantee one does not have endometriosis. In addition to painful periods, endometriosis is often accompanied by a number of other symptoms. These include gastrointestinal abnormalities, such as diarrhea, constipation, and/or painful bowel movements, pain during intercourse, and neuropathy.

Other possible causes of secondary dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea could be caused by a number of other underlying conditions. These could include:

  • Adenomyosis, otherwise known as endometriosis of the uterus; a condition where the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus grows into the uterine muscle wall
  • Uterine fibroids (benign tumors that grow from the muscle layers of the uterus)
  • Cervical stenosis (the narrowing of the opening of the cervix)
  • Infections

Management of dysmenorrhea

OTC painkillers

The most common way to manage both primary and secondary dysmenorrhea is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin. They work by reducing the menstrual flow, therefore, decreasing the pressure inside the uterus. They also reduce the levels of prostaglandins released during menstruation.

Hormonal contraceptives

A popular way to manage dysmenorrhea due to endometriosis is combined oral contraceptives. They work by suppressing ovulation and inhibiting the growth of the endometrial implants and may reduce menstrual pain associated with endometriosis.

Other methods

Applying topical heat, gentle exercise, and avoiding the consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may ease dysmenorrhea for some women.

Treating endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea

The gold standard for the treatment of endometriosis is laparoscopic deep excision surgery. During this operation, the surgeon makes small incisions in the patient’s abdomen and introduces an instrument known as a laparoscope, which allows him or her to visualize the inside of the abdomen. The surgeon then removes the endometrial lesions using dissection. Patients often report a decrease in symptoms, while others say their symptoms completely disappear. However, women should remember that there is a small risk of endometriosis recurring even after the best of surgeries.

Patient Story

Painful period

“My pain started at a very young age, during my adolescent years. I remember dreading gym class because any physical activity on the days of my period would cause me to vomit due to the severity of my pelvic pain.

I remember my prom, an exciting time for me and my friends, dressing up, make-up and all, but all I can recall is getting my period, and being in so much pain that I cried the entire time I was getting ready.

Fast forward to my honeymoon: period again, and my first few days as Mrs. Flores became days I just wanted to sleep and not feel the pain.” –H.F.

Read more.

Get a Second Opinion

Our endometriosis specialists are dedicated to providing patients with expert care. Whether you have been diagnosed or are looking to find a doctor, they are ready to help.

Our office is located on 872 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10065.
You may call us at (646) 960-3080 or have your case reviewed by clicking here.

Dr. Seckin is an endometriosis specialist and women’s reproductive health advocate. He has been in private practice for over 30 years at Lenox Hill Hospital with a team of highly skilled personnel.

Dr. Seckin specializes in advanced laparoscopic procedures and is recognized for his expertise in complex cases of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the pelvis. He is particularly dedicated to performing fertility-preserving surgeries on cases involving the ovaries.

He has developed patented surgical techniques, most notably the “Aqua Blue Excision” technique for a better visualization of endometriosis lesions. His surgical techniques are based on precision and microsurgery, emphasizing organ and fertility preservation, and adhesion and pain prevention.

Dr. Seckin is considered a pioneer and advocate in the field of endometriosis.