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| Standard Definition |
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Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea generally occurs within a couple of years of the first menstrual period and occurs with the onset of the bleed. The pain tends to decrease with age and very often resolves after childbirth. Secondary dysmenorrhea begins in the premenstrual time (worsening towards the period), is commonly a result of endometriosis, starts later in life, and tends to increase in intensity over time. Up to half of menstruating women are affected by dysmenorrhea. |
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| Underlying Disruption in Function |
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Dysmenorrhoea often involves an excess of inflammatory prostaglandins and/or hormonal imbalance and/or disrupted blood flow to the area. It often indicates imbalance in liver function and often involves dietary factors. Dysmenorrhoea is seen, by many integrative medicine practitioners, as a symptom of some serious underlying condition, or as a sign that the body is not in balance. |
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| Possible Causes, Triggers & Exacerbating Factors |
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Primary
- Contractions due to increased prostaglandin secretion
- Poor blood flow to the uterus
- Anxiety and stress
- Narrow cervical opening
Secondary
- Endometriosis
- Narrow cervical opening
- Fibroids
- Uterine infections
- Chronic/acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
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| Common Signs & Symptoms |
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- Abdominal pain that may also refer down the legs or into the lower back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache, migraine
- Heavy bleeding
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Fatigue and weakness
- Premenstrual syndrome
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| Possible Additional Integrative Medicine Diagnostic Tests |
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This is additional information that does not replace nor negate conventional diagnosis. Other tests may be useful depending on the individual circumstance.
- Hormone tests
- Biochemical assessments
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