Adolescent dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea, which affects from 43 to 91% of adolescent girls, is defined as painful uterine cramps that precede and accompany menses. Primary dysmenorrhea is related to an overproduction of uterine prostaglandins which induces myometrium hypercontractility and arterioral vasoconstriction, both involved in painful menstrual cramps. In addition, headache, nausea, asthenia, irritability and school absenteeism are frequently reported and need to be quantified through a clinical score. Despite its relevant impact on adolescent quality of life and availability of efficacious medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, only 15% of affected adolescents consult a physician for this pain syndrome. Pediatricians and gynecologists should thus be more actively involved in the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent primary dysmenorrhea.