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American Family Physician May 2021
Topics: Dysmenorrhea; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Female; Humans
PubMed: 33929165
DOI: No ID Found -
Acta Bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Jan 2016Dysmenorrhea is still an important public health problem which may have a negative impact on female health, social relationships, school or work activities and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dysmenorrhea is still an important public health problem which may have a negative impact on female health, social relationships, school or work activities and psychological status.
METHODS
The aim of this review is a better understanding of the epidemiology of dysmenorrhoea and its effect on public health. Published studies in English providing relevant information on dysmenorrhea were identified by searching PubMed, Embase and Google; restricting the population to adolescents and young adult women and the year of publishing from 2010 to August 2015, based on the keywords 'dysmenorrhea', 'adolescents' and 'epidemiology'. In addition, the reference lists of the selected articles were examined.
RESULTS
We found 50 studies that met our inclusion criteria. The majority were cross-sectional studies on 41,140 adolescents and young women published from 2010 onward. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea varied from 34 % (Egypt) to 94% (Oman) and the number of participants, reporting very severe pain varied from 0.9 % (Korea) to 59.8% (Bangladesh). Adolescents who missed school due to dysmenorrhoea ranged from 7.7% to 57.8% and 21.5% missed social activities. About 50% of students (53.7%-47.4%) reported a family history of dysmenorrhea. Incidence of dysmenorrhea was 0.97 times lower as age in-creased (p <0.006). Despite the high prevalence of dysmenorrhea in adolescents, many girls did not receive professional help or treatment. Mothers were the most important persons the girls turned to for answers regarding menstruation, followed by peers (52.9%) and school nurse. From 21% to 96% practised self-medication either by pharmacological or non pharmacological interventions. The limitation of these studies was that they did not distinguish between primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea.
CONCLUSIONS
The main gynecological complaint of adolescents is dysmenorrhea. Morbidity due to dysmenorrhea represents a substantial public health burden. It is one of the leading causes of absenteeism from school and work and is responsible for significant diminished quality of life. Despite its high prevalence and associated negative effects, many adolescents do not seek medical care for this condition. Appropriate counselling and management should be instituted among female students to help them cope with the challenges of dysmenorrhea. Information, education and support should also be extended to parents, school peer leaders, and hostel administrators in order to address the reproductive health needs of the female students.
Topics: Adolescent; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Global Health; Humans; Public Health; Young Adult
PubMed: 28112688
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Reproductive Medicine Mar 1985Dysmenorrhea affects over 50% of menstruating women and causes extensive personal and public health problems, a high degree of absenteeism and severe economic loss. In...
Dysmenorrhea affects over 50% of menstruating women and causes extensive personal and public health problems, a high degree of absenteeism and severe economic loss. In primary dysmenorrhea there is no macroscopically identifiable pelvic pathology, while in secondary dysmenorrhea gross pathology is present in the pelvic structures. With primary dysmenorrhea the pain is suprapubic and spasmodic, and associated symptoms may be present. Characteristically dysmenorrhea starts at or shortly after menarche. The pain lasts for 48-72 hours during the menstrual flow and is most severe during the first or second day of menstruation. It is now clear that in many women with primary dysmenorrhea the pathophysiology is due to increased and/or abnormal uterine activity because of the excessive production and release of uterine prostaglandins. Treatment with many of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs) will produce significant relief from dysmenorrhea and a concomitant decrease in menstrual fluid prostaglandins. For dysmenorrheic women who desire oral contraception, this agent will relieve the dysmenorrhea by suppressing endometrial growth, thus resulting in a decrease in the menstrual flow as well as in menstrual fluid prostaglandins. For those not requiring oral contraception the drug of choice for primary dysmenorrhea remains a prostaglandin inhibitor. Laparoscopy need be resorted to only if a pelvic abnormality is detected on examination or if treatment with prostaglandin inhibitors for up to six months is not significantly effective. In secondary dysmenorrhea, relief is obtained when the pelvic pathology--such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, adhesions, cervical stenosis, congenital malformation of the uterus and endometriosis--is treated. In women using IUDs the dysmenorrhea is readily controlled with prostaglandin inhibitors since the underlying pathophysiology is excessive prostaglandin production and release.
Topics: Adult; Contraceptives, Oral; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Prostaglandins; Psychotherapy; Terminology as Topic; Uterus
PubMed: 3158737
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Women's Health (2002) Nov 2023This study determined the prevalence of bothersome menstrual symptoms and their association with workability in naturally menstruating women not using hormonal...
This study determined the prevalence of bothersome menstrual symptoms and their association with workability in naturally menstruating women not using hormonal contraception. A representative sample of community-dwelling Australian women aged 18-39 years selected from two large national electronic databases responded to a survey on general health. This study focuses on self-reported dysmenorrhea and menstrual bleeding and their association with workability and absenteeism in working women, assessed by the Workability Index. Of 3,555 women, 1,573 (44.2% [95% CI: 42.6%-45.9%]) reported moderate to severe dysmenorrhea and 774 (21.8% [95% CI: 20.4%-23.2%]) reported heavy to very heavy bleeding. Women with dysmenorrhea were 50% more likely to report poorer work performance and twice as likely to report more days of sick leave in the past year (absenteeism) than other women. Despite the availability of safe and effective management options, Australian working women aged 18-39 years continue to experience bothersome dysmenorrhea and menstrual bleeding. Dysmenorrhea is associated with increased absenteeism and poorer workability. Therefore, awareness needs to be raised among women and health care providers of ways to manage dysmenorrhea and heavy bleeding and the unmet need for intervention in the community, respectively.
Topics: Female; Humans; Dysmenorrhea; Absenteeism; Australia; Menstruation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37651151
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0199 -
Women & Health 1983Pain during the menstrual period is of two types: primary, in which the pelvic organs are normal and secondary, in which pathologic lesions are found on pelvic...
Pain during the menstrual period is of two types: primary, in which the pelvic organs are normal and secondary, in which pathologic lesions are found on pelvic examination or laparoscopic examination of the pelvic organs. Since the incidence varies between 31-92% of the population it has serious implications for our society. It is important to distinguish dysmenorrhea from the premenstrual tension syndrome. Currently primary dysmenorrhea is thought to be due to increased contractility of the myometrium or decreased uterine blood flow from the excessive contractions of increased sensitization of pain fibers to mechanical and chemical stimuli. These three mechanisms of pain production are due to the release of certain prostaglandins from the endometrium during menses which then go directly into the myometrium producing these effects. Situational or psychological factors may accentuate or decrease the pain. Treatment is with antiprostaglandin drugs. There are several causes of secondary dysmenorrhea both congenital and acquired. Laparoscopy is frequently needed along with D&C to make the diagnosis. After diagnosis is made appropriate treatment can be undertaken to relieve the pain.
Topics: Adolescent; Diagnosis, Differential; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Female; Hormones; Humans; Myometrium; Premenstrual Syndrome; Prostaglandins; Uterus
PubMed: 6685410
DOI: 10.1300/J013v08n02_05 -
Paediatric Drugs 2008Dysmenorrhea occurs in the majority of adolescent girls and is the leading cause of recurrent short-term school absence in this group. In the vast majority of cases, a... (Review)
Review
Dysmenorrhea occurs in the majority of adolescent girls and is the leading cause of recurrent short-term school absence in this group. In the vast majority of cases, a presumptive diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea can be made based on a typical history of low anterior pelvic pain coinciding with the onset of menses and lasting 1-3 days with a negative physical examination. Risk factors for primary dysmenorrhea include nulliparity, heavy menstrual flow, and smoking. Poor mental health and social supports are other associations. Empiric therapy for primary dysmenorrhea can be initiated without diagnostic testing. Effective therapies include NSAIDs, oral contraceptives, and pharmacologic suppression of menstrual cycles. In atypical, severe, or refractory cases, imaging and/or laparoscopy should be performed to investigate secondary causes of dysmenorrhea. The most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea is endometriosis, the treatment of which may include medical and surgical approaches. Pharmacologic treatment of young women with pain related to endometriosis is similar to treatment of primary dysmenorrhea but may infrequently include gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in severe refractory cases.
Topics: Adolescent; Drug Therapy; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Female; Hot Temperature; Humans; Magnetics; Risk Factors; Smoking
PubMed: 18162003
DOI: 10.2165/00148581-200810010-00001 -
Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent... Dec 2006Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint among adolescent and young adult females. Dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young adults is usually primary... (Review)
Review
Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecologic complaint among adolescent and young adult females. Dysmenorrhea in adolescents and young adults is usually primary (functional), and is associated with normal ovulatory cycles and with no pelvic pathology. In approximately 10% of adolescents and young adults with severe dysmenorrhea symptoms, pelvic abnormalities such as endometriosis or uterine anomalies may be found. Potent prostaglandins and potent leukotrienes play an important role in generating dysmenorrhea symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are the most common pharmacologic treatment for dysmenorrhea. Adolescents and young adults with symptoms that do not respond to treatment with NSAIDs for 3 menstrual periods should be offered combined estrogen/progestin oral contraceptive pills for 3 menstrual cycles. Adolescents and young adults with dysmenorrhea who do not respond to this treatment should be evaluated for secondary causes of dysmenorrhea. The care provider's role is to explain about pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea to every adolescent and young adult female, address any concern that the patient has about her menstrual period, and review effective treatment options for dysmenorrhea with the patient.
Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans
PubMed: 17174824
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2006.09.001 -
Endocrine Development 2004
Review
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Health Services; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Gynecology; Humans
PubMed: 15052996
DOI: 10.1159/000077082 -
Medycyna Wieku Rozwojowego 2013Dysmenorrhea is a common and frequently disabling condition among women of childbearing age. Based on results of large epidemiological studies, it is estimated that over... (Review)
Review
Dysmenorrhea is a common and frequently disabling condition among women of childbearing age. Based on results of large epidemiological studies, it is estimated that over a half of the population of young women suffers from dysmenorrhea. In spite of such a high frequency of this condition, its literature. Pain and lower abdominal cramps are among the most common causes for gynecological referral. Dysmenorrhea is sometimes associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, back pain, and dizziness. The exact cause of the disorder is not completely understood. However, there are many known factors that play significant roles in the pathogenesis of dysmenorrhea. The most important are: excessive uterine contractility, disturbances in uterine blood supply, synthesis of prostaglandins and anatomical abnormalities of the female reproductive tract. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstrual bleedings in the absence of any detectable underlying pathology. Secondary dysmenorrhea represents the clinical situation where menstrual pain can be related to an underlying disease, disorder, or structural abnormality either within or outside the uterus. Unexplained mechanisms and multiple factors involved in the pathogenesis of primary dysmenorrhea indicate a vivid need for further studies on this subject.
Topics: Causality; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Risk Factors
PubMed: 23749700
DOI: No ID Found -
Pediatric Clinics of North America Jun 1999Dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain are common complaints in the adolescent population. Although most cases are primary dysmenorrhea and easily treated with NSAIDs or OCPs,... (Review)
Review
Dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain are common complaints in the adolescent population. Although most cases are primary dysmenorrhea and easily treated with NSAIDs or OCPs, pathologic causes should be considered, especially in cases not responding to standard medical management. Endometriosis is the most common finding in teenagers who do not respond to this regimen, but müllerian anomalies and musculoskeletal causes must also be considered.
Topics: Adolescent; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Pelvic Pain; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 10384807
DOI: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70137-1