Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)
There are two types of dysmenorrhea, which is painful menstruation
that can interfere with a girl's ability to attend school, study, or
sleep:
- Primary dysmenorrhea is very common in teens and is
not caused by a disease or other condition. Instead, the culprit is
prostaglandin, the chemical behind cramps. Some prostaglandin can lead
to mild cramps. But large amounts of prostaglandin can lead to nausea,
vomiting, headaches, backaches, diarrhea, and severe cramps.
Fortunately, these symptoms usually only last for a day or two.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea is pain caused by some physical condition like polyps or fibroids in the uterus, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or adenomyosis (tissue that usually lines the uterus growing into the muscular wall of the uterus).
Having cramps for a day or two each month is common, but if your
daughter has symptoms severe enough to keep her from her normal
activities, or cramps that last for more than 3 days, discuss it with
her doctor.