DEFINITION, ETIOLOGY & RISK FACTORS
DEFINITION
- Pain during menstruation
- Usually occurs in the lower abdomen
- Occurs before or during menstruation
- Very common
ETIOLOGY
- Primary: no underlying pelvic pathology, associated with uterine prostaglandins
- Secondary: underlying pathology present
RISK FACTORS
- Primary:
Early age of menarche
Nulliparity
Heavy menstrual flows
Family history
- Secondary:
Endometriosis (chronic pelvic pain, Dyspareunia, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia) Fibroids (lower abdominal pain, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, pelvic mass, urine/bowel symptoms)
PID
IUD insertion
Cervical/Ovarian cancer.