Dysmenorrhea in the adolescent

Alternative names:

adolescent dysmenorrhea; menstrual pain; painful periods; periods - painful

Definition:

Painful menses occurring in an adolescent girl.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Dysmenorrhea in adolescents usually begins 2 to 3 years following the onset of menses. It consists of crampy lower abdominal pain that generally begins several hours prior to the onset of a menstrual period, but may begin as much as 1 or 2 days in advance. The pain lasts one or more days into the period and then subsides. Pain may be mild to severe and may be associated with nausea and vomiting and changes in bowel habits (either constipation or diarrhea).

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological complaint in adolescents but fortunately the majority of cases are functional (not associated with a disease state) and the physical examination is normal. Abnormal conditions associated with dysmenorrhea include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal agenesis, and others. Increasing frequency of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents has increased the percentage of dysmenorrhea cases associated with disease.