Painful menstrual periods Image

Save

Images (4)

Female reproductive...	Painful periods (dy...	Relieving PMS
Uterus

Marketplace

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)

Primary dysmenorrhea is a normal cramping of the lower abdomen caused by hormone-induced uterine contractions before the period. Secondary dysmenorrhea may be caused by abnormal conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. Unless one of these potentially serious conditions is present, the treatment for painful periods is pain relief. If a hormone imbalance is detected, birth control pills may restore the proper hormone levels.

Table of Contents

Definition Alternative Names Considerations Common Causes Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office References

Related Learning
Centers

·As a Disease/Condition

·As a Symptom

Necrotizing Vasculitis

Painful Menstruation

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Uterine Fibroid

Save

Learning Centers Acne Allergies Anxiety Arthritis Asthma ADHD Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Cholesterol	Depression Diabetes GERD Heart Disease High Blood Pressure Managing Your Knee Pain Menopause Migraine Multiple Myeloma	Osteoarthritis Overactive Bladder Pregnancy Prostate Cancer Sleep Disorders Stroke View all

Diseases A to Z Symptoms A to Z 3D Body Maps	Treatments A to Z Drugs A to Z 3D Videos	Physician Specialties A to Z Alternative Therapies A to Z

Videos Alternative Medicine Children's Health Cholesterol Fitness Gyno Healthy Aging Heart Health	Men's Health Mental Health Nutrition Pain Management Pregnancy Sexual Health Sleep Disorders	Teen Health Women's Health Videos A to Z Videos by Disease