What is Dysmenorrhea? (Pain During Menstruation)

Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain during menstruation. Painful periods may be caused by a number of reasons. Sometimes a combination of factors may be responsible. Medical history and a careful physical exam are helpful in diagnosing the problem.

The Causes of Painful Periods Include:

• Tipped Uterus or Retroverted Uterus – A tipped uterus may also cause pain during intercourse.
• Endometriosis – The tissue lining the uterus, the endometrium, may grow outside the uterus causing pain during periods.
• Hormonal Changes and Imbalances – A hormone produced by cells in the uterine lining called prostaglandin causes uterine contractions. Women with severe dysmenorrhea have higher prostaglandin levels in their menstrual fluid than other women.
• Adenomyosis – A condition where the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscle of the uterus.
• Fibroids – Non-malignant growths in the uterus can cause pain during periods.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Intrauterine Device (IUD) - Some women may experience increased bleeding, cramping and backache with their periods.

Pain during menstruation, dysmenorrhea, may be caused by other reasons as well. The UPLIFT procedure may help relieve painful periods if you have a retroverted uterus and no other identifiable pathologies.

Only consultation with a physician or another health care professional will help you find out why you are experiencing painful periods and help you find a solution.