Dysmenorrhea- Management

Dysmenorrhea- Management

It is painful menstruation preventing normal activities and requires medication. There are two types of dysmenorrhea:

Primary (no organic cause). Typically, pain occurs on the first day of menses, usually about the time the flow begins.

Secondary (pathological cause) e.g. usually the pain is due to other underlying causes such as PID, endometriosis, etc.

Pharmacological treatment

• Ibuprofen (PO) 200–600 mg 8 hourly (maximum 2.4 g/day)

  
  

  OR

• Acetylsalicylic acid (PO) 300–600 mg 4 hourly

  
  

  OR

• Diclofenac (PO) 50–100 mg 8–12 hourly

  
  

  OR

• Mefenamic acid (PO) 500 mg 8 hourly

  
  

  AND

• Hyoscine butyl bromide (PO) 20 mg 8 hourly for 5 days

Treatment notes

• Women with regular complaints can easily detect length of use during their periods; 2–3 days is usually enough

• Treat the underlying condition if known

• For primary dysmenorrhea, patients may be advised to start taking ibuprofen one or two days before menses and continue for three to four days during menses to minimize painful menstruation