How to Diagnose Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is the official name for cramps or painful menstruation just before and during your period. Diagnosing dysmenorrhea is simple, but many people never speak to their doctor about it. If you are experiencing painful periods, let your doctor know so you can be diagnosed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Doctor or gynecologist

Diagnose Dysmenorrhea in Younger Women

1. Know that primary dysmenorrhea includes severe cramps without any underlying illness or cause. These cramps can be disabling and lead to two to three days of total inactivity. Primary dysmenorrhea mostly affects young women within the first 2 years of the onset of menstruation.
2. Look for symptoms that include backache, leg pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and dizziness. These symptoms are in addition to the normal menstrual cramps.
3. Speak to your doctor if you experience two or more painful periods--especially if the pain is totally disabling. A doctor can usually diagnose dysmenorrhea with a simple pelvic exam to make sure there is no underlying cause for the pain.
4. Make sure you schedule your doctor's appointment between periods. Examination during menstruation may produce false results and discomfort.
5. Be sure to let your doctor know about any symptoms beyond pain that you may be having. If you are not honest about other symptoms, including pain during sex or breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between periods), you may be misdiagnosed.

Diagnose Dysmenorrhea in Older Women

6. Understand that secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by an underlying disease or condition, such as endometriosis (abnormalities in the tissue lining of the uterus), adenomyosis (non-malignant growth in the uterus), pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, cervical narrowing or pelvic tumors. Most of these conditions occur in older women.
7. Schedule a pelvic exam if you have any persistent pain. Your doctor may be able to diagnose dysmenorrhea through this exam, but more tests may be required to figure out the underlying cause.
8. Expect to have an ultrasound to see if there are any growths or cysts on any of the pelvic organs that may be causing the cramps.
9. Prepare yourself for a laparoscopy if your doctor can't immediately find a cause for your pain. During a laparoscopy, your doctor will cut a slit under your navel and insert a scope to examine the pelvic and reproductive region.

Tips & Warnings

• The diagnosis of dysmenorrhea is based mostly on medical history. A true diagnosis must first rule out any conditions and diseases that produce the same symptoms.
• Females who started menstruating before the age of 11, which is considered early onset menstruation, may be at a greater risk for dysmenorrhea.

Who Can Help: