Which condition is defined as painful menstruation?

Which condition is defined as painful menstruation?

• A. Cervicitis
• B. Endometriosis
• C. PMS
• D. Dysmenorrhea

Answer: (D)

Painful menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. It means cramping pelvic pain that occurs just before or during a menstrual period and can be felt in the lower abdomen, back, or thighs. Primary dysmenorrhea is common in teens and young adults and is driven by prostaglandins that cause the uterus to contract. Secondary dysmenorrhea comes from an underlying problem such as endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease and tends to start later or persist with time. Other conditions like cervicitis involve cervix inflammation with discharge or pain but aren’t defined by menstrual pain, and while endometriosis can cause painful periods, the term dysmenorrhea specifically refers to the pain itself. Premenstrual syndrome involves mood and physical symptoms before the period, not the pain during the period itself.

Painful menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. It means cramping pelvic pain that occurs just before or during a menstrual period and can be felt in the lower abdomen, back, or thighs. Primary dysmenorrhea is common in teens and young adults and is driven by prostaglandins that cause the uterus to contract. Secondary dysmenorrhea comes from an underlying problem such as endometriosis, fibroids, or pelvic inflammatory disease and tends to start later or persist with time. Other conditions like cervicitis involve cervix inflammation with discharge or pain but aren’t defined by menstrual pain, and while endometriosis can cause painful periods, the term dysmenorrhea specifically refers to the pain itself. Premenstrual syndrome involves mood and physical symptoms before the period, not the pain during the period itself.