The Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea among Women

Menstrual disorders and abnormal uterine bleeding are common worries of young women. Complaints comprise menses that are: too painful (dysmenorrhea), prolonged and heavy (menorrhagia, or excessive uterine bleeding), or absent or arise irregularly (amenorrhea or oligoamenorrhea). In providing optimal reproductive care, the medical provider should be capable of distinguishing between normal developmental patterns or symptoms necessitating education and reassurance from pathologic conditions needing early evaluation and management. This article discusses the normal menstrual patterns seen in adolescent females and provides treatment and management approach to primary and secondary dysmenorrhea.