Review, 1981
What causes period pain and how is it treated?
Period pain is caused by increased muscle activity in the uterus and is effectively treated with birth control pills or medications called prostaglandin inhibitors.
What they did
This is a review article summarizing medical knowledge about primary dysmenorrhea, which is menstrual pain that is not related to pelvic disease.
What they found
Period pain usually starts after ovulatory cycles begin, typically in the year after first menstruation, and increases over time. Pain is associated with increased muscle activity in the uterus. Birth control pills and prostaglandin inhibitors are effective treatments. Doctors must rule out other conditions like endometriosis first.
What it means for you
If you have period pain, your doctor should first check that it is not caused by other conditions before treating it. Birth control and pain relievers usually work well. The limitation is that this is a 1981 review reflecting medical knowledge from that era.
About the study
- Original title
- Primary dysmenorrhea: current concepts
- Authors
- Jay MS, Taylor W
- Journal
- American family physician
- Year
- 1981
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Oral contraceptives and prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors
- Read the paper
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7197460/
Topics
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